Schools where students can safely discuss race foster learning, not indoctrination | Opinion
Safe spaces needed
In response to the article “Lesson on racism sparks outrage at SC school board meeting. What might change,” I commend Lexington-Richland 5 English teacher Mary Woods.
Ms. Woods understands the importance of exposing her students to the perspectives of others. She is being vilified for assigning a book that details Ta-Nehisi Coates’ experiences with racism. She recognizes the need for students to be aware that racism continues to have an impact even if they may not be directly affected.
Conversations surrounding race can be difficult; however, Ms. Woods provided students with a safe space to engage in discourse with those who may have a difference of opinion.
Allowing respectful debates should be supported in our schools. Unfortunately, two students were able to deny these learning experiences to others.
School boards across the country erroneously label any discussion surrounding race as Critical Race Theory. This is merely a tactic to silence the voices and ignore the perspectives of marginalized communities.
It is a disservice to all students, no matter their race.
Ayeshah Major, Columbia
Visit new museum
We just experienced one of the greatest days in our state’s history – June 27, when the opening day of the International African American Museum in Charleston took place.
This fabulous success story began 23 years ago when my lifelong friend Charleston Mayor Joe Riley announced his vision and plan for this museum in his State of the City address.
In my nearly 80 years of life, I have never known a greater leader than Joe Riley.
Everyone in this great state should plan to visit this museum.
As Joe Riley said at the dedication ceremony, “Truth sets us free.”
Joel Collins, Columbia
Honoring freedom
I thank God for our great country.
We are blessed to live in a place that protects our natural rights and allows us the freedom to live out our faith publicly. This freedom is not guaranteed around the rest of the world, and we must never take that for granted.
We have the responsibility to uphold the freedom gained for us by others who have gone before us.
We read in the book of Galatians, “You brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love” (Gal 5: 13-14).
Freedom is not possible without love.
Today, think of one way you can restore freedom and peace in your own home and personal life. Start with something small, perhaps offering a few moments for an unspoken act of charity for another, and watch as your life and our culture are transformed.
Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, Charleston
Reform the court
Our fundamental freedoms are being attacked by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The partisan conservative majority on the bench gutted voting rights, opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate money in our elections, struck down gun safety laws, and limited the government’s ability to protect our air and water.
In the year since they overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion has been effectively banned (with extremely limited exceptions) in 14 states, leaving nearly 1 in 3 Americans without access to abortion care.
This can’t go on. We need to move away from these types of extremely partisan rulings and restore the legitimacy of the court.
Congress has a constitutional duty to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system.
It’s time they act before it’s too late.
Kenneth Williams, Beaufort
Not my values
As a 76 year old combat veteran, I never thought our country would restrict voting, learning, health care.
Those are not the values I fought for.
Richard Blaney, Columbia
