COLUMBUS — Critics are giving the Ohio State Board of Education failing grades after the apolitical body hastily approved a divisive resolution last week without doing their homework. The measure on systemic racism was debated and voted on the same night and was an indication the board was more interested in social justice rather than social studies.
“This resolution truly is a radical’s dream and will open the door to all the far-left causes,” says radio host Linda Harvey of the pro-family Mission America. “Any objections to the resolution was considered racist so the majority quickly passed it.”
(Photo courtesy of Mission America)
The State Board approved the measure by a 12-5 margin. Instead of uniting students during national crisis, the resolution alienates students by directing the Department of Education to review every Ohio school lesson and program for white privilege, hate speech, white supremacy and systemic racism.
Harvey is convinced this resolution is part of a coordinated effort to scrub American exceptionalism from school curriculum. She alluded to Mayor Timothy Ginther removing the Christopher Columbus statue from Columbus City Hall.
“This (new policy) will become an invitation for: unfair accusations, re-writing American history, new speech codes, unjust quotas in sports, and leniency in disciplinary policies. It is actually reverse racism. Even worse than that, it allows any person who is offended, no matter how unsubstantiated there claims are, to dictate what becomes truth and what is declared to be racist.”
“This is what countries do when they are being overtaken by Marxists.” says Harvey. “Never mind in America, some of the ruling class today are wealthy blacks and other minorities who are celebrities, sports figures, musicians and politicians. This is not about racial harmony but about some fringe groups with an axe to grind. Many elements of western civilization and traditional Christianity undoubtedly will be considered by some as racist.””
Linda Harvey
Founder of Mission America
The resolution “strongly recommends all Ohio school districts begin a reflection and internal examination of their own involving teachers, parents, students and community to review curriculum; hiring practices; discipline strategies, suspension and expulsions; classroom resources including textbooks; and professional development.”
Opponents point out the resolution is politically-based and not evidence-based. They claim its framers cut corners by providing no references nor any definitions. They also ask who will decide what is hate speech and what is white privilege?
“I wanted the resolution to be referred to a committee to justify and research assertions made in the resolution, says Board Member Lisa Woods of Medina. Woods represents District 5 located in North Central Ohio.
Board Member Woods wanted the resolution to be referred to a committee “to justify and research assertions made in the resolution. Getting it right is more important than rushing to judgment. It is important that conclusions are supported by fact.”
“Terms such as ‘hate speech,’ ‘white supremacy’ and ‘implicit bias’ … these are serious but unproven accusations,” Woods went on to say. “Ohio has never had a system of racism … we are enlightened.”
Linda Harvey is not remaining silent. In response to the vote, the radio host has drafted a petition for Ohioans to sign who oppose the fault-finding resolution.
Efforts to pass the polarizing resolution were spearheaded by the National Education Association which supports the Marxist Black Lives Matter network. State Board Members Laura Kohler and Linda Haycock were two of the board members who voted in favor. Opponents say this will only fuel the fire for more violence.
“This is what countries do when they are being overtaken by Marxists.” says Harvey. “Never mind in America, some of the ruling class today are wealthy blacks and other minorities who are celebrities, sports figures, musicians and politicians. This is not about racial harmony but about some fringe groups with an axe to grind. Many elements of western civilization and traditional Christianity undoubtedly will be considered by some as racist.”
Click on the image below to hear Linda Harvey’s “Mission America” Christian commentary in the culture broadcast on WRFD 880 AM and 104.5 FM in its entirety from July 22, 2020.
Article updated July 24, 2020
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