(LOS ANGELES, CA – 12/15/2022) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the banning of critical race theory (CRT) in schools in Temecula, Calif.
On Wednesday, the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) finalized a 3-2 majority that would adopt a resolution banning the education of critical race theory in schools within the area. The vote stemmed from campaigns discrediting CRT as an invalid explanation for the existence of racism. The resolution falsely claims that CRT “is a divisive ideology that assigns moral fault to individuals solely on the basis of an individual’s race and, therefore, is itself a racist ideology; assigns generational guilt and racial guilt for conduct and policies that are long in the past.”
Out of the 30 people who addressed the board regarding the resolution, more than 25 of them opposed it, arguing that it silenced history and ignored its complexity.
SEE: Critical Race Theory Banned In Temecula Schools By Newly Formed Board
In a statement, CAIR-LA Senior Civil Rights Managing Attorney Amr Shabaik said:
“We are deeply concerned that the decision of the TVUSD will limit very necessary education on the history and reality of racism in our nation. Understanding the complex history of racism in our country is critical in combatting bigotry and mitigating the increasing level of race-based bullying in schools. By dismissing racist ‘conduct and policies’ as ‘long in the past’ TVUSD is turning a blind eye to the reality of the struggles its students of color face.”
CAIR-CA conducts an annual bullying survey of Muslim students in California between the ages of 11–18 to help address Islamophobia and bullying in schools and ensure that Muslim students have a safe place to learn.
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com