East Central Reporter

Paris Cooperative teacher Russell Jane Witmer is warning anyone who will listen about what she sees as the perils of critical race theory (CRT).

“So beware,” she recently posted on Facebook. “It may soon be coming to our schools, perhaps mandated by the state or perhaps only pushed by ‘woke’ extremists among our minority Democrat citizens in this country. Beware.”

Witmer finds strength in knowing she’s not alone in waging battle.

“A white teacher in Evanston/Skokie Dist. 65 is suing the school district for discrimination for teaching CRT to children and forcing it upon their teachers,” she said. “As always, students are divided into racial groups and those who are white are told how bad and racist they are. Teachers are segregated during training and told how privileged and racist white teachers are and that if they aren't, according to the superintendent, "anti-racist," they won't get in front of a classroom of students.”

 Whitmer said she’s not surprised things have come to this in Illinois.

"Critical Race Theory has made it to Illinois, which should surprise no one since we live in a deep blue state,” she said.

Former Republican state Rep. Jeanne Ives also opposes the teachings, and recently took time to salute a group of School District 99 parents who came together to stand up against the system.

“Tonight a group of brave parents and residents of D99 school district discussed their opposition to critical race theory instruction in their schools,” Ives said in a post to Facebook. “When a few speakers incorrectly stated that there was a bill mandating it, the superintendent arrogantly asked them to show him the bill. The speakers mixed up the mandate for universities to begin teaching CRTL - Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading standards as directed by JCAR. But they were right that that mandate will flow into the K-12 schools. And they were right that CRTL instructs in CRT.”

Ives argues it was all by design and part of CRT supporters' plan to get what they want when it comes to changing the system to formally include elements of the controversial teachings.

“The school leaders questioned the speakers knowing that D99 has already infused CRT- type training into their schools,” she said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion training uses much of the same foundational tenets as CRT. So keep speaking up, D99 parents, because the district leaders want to intimidate you rather than have honest conversations.”