Submitted by Pad Finnigan.
What’s the deal?
Well, briefly, the school district wants to implement a racist policy that will pit white students against all others and label white students as oppressors and the others oppressed. That’s like segregation all over again. Not what Americans ever want again.
And maybe the worst part this obsession the school board has with race is that it shows they’ve fallen into the trap developed slowly and set carefully over decades to use race to divide our country into factions that will help turn it into a socialist utopia. Goodbye USA.
Details on that in a subsequent article.
But the immediate deal is this: it’s up to all of people of Lakewood to help stop this woke nonsense from taking hold in the Clover Park School District.
Attend the school board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday Sept. 13 at the student services center. The school board and staff need to hear dozens and dozens of citizens say you don’t want them to approve this policy that evening, or ever. You’ll be given three minutes to express your desires.
So now, as a refresher, here’s more about the proposed school district policy.
The Clover Park School Board and staff has worked for half a year developing this racist policy. It is called an Equity Policy.
It explains how the district proposes to teach differently to students of different races and needs in order to improve the academic competency they achieve.
Just the existence of the proposed policy implicitly acknowledges the district’s failure over time to provide a solid academic background to its students that will ensure each student will succeed in adult life.
Though asked nearly a month ago to prove or show evidence how emphasizing race will improve students’ academic performance, neither the board nor superintendent have provided that data.
The six-page policy is full of academic jargon, such as “…a path to eliminate racial disparities and disproportionality.”
The policy’s title as an “Equity Policy” is interesting. Don’t confuse the word “equity” with “equality.” Equity is a word specially made up by academics who are hawking critical race theory nationally. In this draft Equity Policy, equity is defined as, “affirming diverse needs, removing barriers to access, and maintaining high standards and expectations.”
Does the color of your skin determine how and what you are taught? It shouldn’t.
What equity really means is equal results for all, not equal opportunity for all. Big difference.
The school district’s draft Equity Policy defines systemic racism as “…policies, practices, and programs that exclude or promote groups on the basis of race.”
Based on their own definition then, the district’s proposed policy is itself systemically racist.
The policy says, “We acknowledge that people of historically marginalized identities have been underserved and harmed by internal and external systems.”
Being given a label like “marginalized” invites students to feel victimized all throughout their time in school and to use that as an excuse whenever they need it the rest of their lives. Victims.
Marginalized communities are defined as those on the lower edge of society who have been discriminated against. That includes people of color and others, including people of a gender identity or sexual orientation.
A few specific things the district will do if this new policy is approved by the board on the 13th are:
- Train staff and teachers in implicit bias, microaggressions, restorative practices, classroom circles, homophobia, and systemic racism.
- Eliminate discipline disparities of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability.
- Use curriculum reflecting culture, identity voice and heritage of district students.
- Hire teachers and staff who reflect students’ diversity.
- Counter, disrupt and dismantle harmful ideas of colonization of native Americans.
- Embrace a holistic definition of student success
Note the intent to use different teachers, different discipline, and different messages for different “communities.”
CPSD teachers and some staff were required to undergo professional development training last year in educational equity. Part of that training included the concept of white power and privilege, a concept labeling white people as oppressors of marginalized groups that is commonly seen in diversity training curriculum in American culture today. That concept will of course find its way into classrooms should this Equity Policy be approved.
Can this race-based policy possibly solve the downward trajectory of so many of the district’s academic results? We say no.
A better and pretty obvious solution to fixing the problems of the district is to replace the people at the top. Get better leadership on the school board. Then monitor each student’s learning as it proceeds.
Two incumbent school board members are enthusiastically all-in for the Equity Policy, and they are running for re-election in the November election. Remove them from office and change the direction of the school district and our children’s futures. Elect David Anderson and Jeff Brown to the school board.
NOTE – two follow-on parts of this article will review the history of critical race theory, its evil objectives, and some of the influential outside groups pushing it in education.
I can’t believe this article. What a bunch of “whooey”. Attending several schools in the CPSD beginning in 1960, I like so many, studied text books that were historically incorrect, however, we were lucky to have teachers who taught us about real history & the Freedom Riders.
I don’t recall ever being in a situation where race was a problem. We elected a student body President is A.Am, THIS AREA IS A MELTING POT AND HAS BEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME. If teachers are being taught to be more aware of different cultures, I think that’s good. Since this article doesn’t make sence, consider the source.
This article in itself shows the reason that racism should be taught in school! Systemic Racism is in our school district and most people don’t recognize it! I know because I fought it since I moved here from Germany and found the schools ” below average “. Well meaning teachers don’t even know they’re doing it! The thing that article is carping about isn’t even taught in K-12 grades!
“The thing that article is carping about isn’t even taught in K-12 grades”. This just one of several leftist excuses supporting CRT in our schools even if not specifically “taught” in the curriculum. This along with the excuse that “CRT is only taught in college or law courses.” ” Oh CRT is only teaching history” and a host of other excuses. Playing with words again. The truth is it will be taught to teachers, staff and administrators. Just look at the OSPI “ACADEMIC AND STUDENT WELL-BEING RECOVERY PLAN: PLANNING GUIDE 2021”
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:e76bdd17-f144-4a3c-920b-0401c518a756#pageNum=5
Or worse yet the OSPI draft teach, staff and administrator curriculum: “Help inform the future of equity in Washington’s educator standards”
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAOSPI/bulletins/2ef64e6
Add to this the NEA and WEA announced support of CRT. But ohhhhh! At Clover Park School District it isn’t CRT! Yeah and just like they claimed the Titanic was unsinkable. This isn’t even about teaching history: this is about blaming people today for history long before they were alive. I never owned a slave and no one alive today was ever a slave. If you want to shackle your present with what happened generations ago you have only yourself to blame. There are too many successful minorities of all colors who have made it in the past, to include a twice elected President, without the help of woke white people today. To think otherwise is itself racist.
I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH YOU,WHEN I WENT AWAY TO COLLEGE IN THE LATE 60S,AND TOOK HISTORY(MY MAJOR) COURSES,I BECAME AWARE OF SO MUCH REAL HISTORY THAT I HADN’T BEEN TAUGHT…. IT’S TIME THAT OUR STUDENTS WERE TAUGHT SORRY ABOUT CAPS BUT I HAVE EYESIGHT ISSUES.
I agree with you Kristy.
From the article:
“A few specific things the district (Clover Park School District) will do if this new policy (Equity Policy) is approved by the board on the 13th (September) are:
“Train staff and teachers in implicit bias, microaggressions, restorative practices, classroom circles, homophobia, and systemic racism.”
“Microaggressions,” as defined by the Equity Policy, are those which “communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults.”
Yet one of the stakeholders, charged with drafting the Equity Policy, was recently found to have called two candidates for Clover Park School Board, “full out racists. And we cannot have them on our board. Full stop.”
However, she didn’t stop there.
When challenged to support her statement she doubled down and wrote, with regards one of those candidates, “If you are asking me to justify why he’s a racist, well, racists don’t walk around wearing white hoods. Some of them look like and talk like and write like Anderson.”
She then supplied a link to an article entitled, “Most Racists Don’t Wear Klan Costumes.”
The author of these microaggressions is a member of the team that crafted the Equity Policy – a policy that specifically denounces the very use of such microaggressions of which she herself is now guilty.
The author of these microaggressions is not only a member of the team that crafted the Equity Policy, but is the same individual who, back in December, demanded a sitting Clover Park School Board Director apologize for saying “crack the whip” – a statement that was taken totally out of context but for which this individual also demanded the school board be trained in “microagressions.”
However, when reporting the results of his investigation into the allegations surrounding this individual’s unsubstantiated charges, in a public meeting of the school board this past August 23, (full transcript available), Clover Park School District Superintendent Ron Banner made no mention of this Equity Policy crafter’s reference to the KKK.
In fact, Banner said, “There is no evidence that the employee’s comments, quote ‘resulted in a disruption at school or in the workplace.’”
Perhaps not.
But that the Equity Policy has, as one of its drafters, one who is guilty of that which the Equity Policy denounces, suggests that the Equity Policy doesn’t really mean what it says.
You say one person of the 80 plus volunteer stakeholder group is of the opinion that two challengers are ‘racist’ based on their statements, and campaign position. If it’s true they said it… don’t you think that people are entitled to their opinions on people running for public office, even if they are a volunteer, what relevance is it to this opinion piece here that one, with over 80 volunteers in the community stakeholders group …that one even some have diverse even controversial opinions …isn’t that’s why you have large stakeholders groups in order to have a wide and diversity of views and opinions from the community included.
The educational system does not really educate students any more. They are more in the business of social engineering.
Pad Finnigan,
I remember you! Although claiming to be a resident of Tacoma on David Anderson’s campaign donor list, you show up regularly at our local school board meetings. Why? Where is your residence?
I remember that you were one of our Lakewood City Council members who lead that nasty political attack on our highly respected Mayor Claudia Thomas. It was you, John Arbeeny and Ron Cronk who claimed that Claudia Thomas was “too old” to be re-elected when your real motive was to elect a more conservative candidate with your views. The “age discrimination” attack really back-fired on you and the two other men…you made yourslves look the fools. The voters saw through your thinly veiled ruse and soundly re-elected our popular female mayor, who I believe was our first black Lakewood City Council member. A middle school now proudly bares her name. Based on your comments, I’m sure you are deeply threatened that I referred to any type of race, but I believe readers need to know that Claudia Thomas broke through barriers to become a mayor in this community traditionally controlled by white citizens like myself. Lakewood is a beautifully diverse community and it is under attack by those who have a very clear political agenda. We need to stand up to these political bullies.
Your claims about CRT are very familiar. I encourage all readers to do a simple Google search of: “CRT & School Board elections”; “CRT & FOX News”; “CRT & GOP”; CRT & The PROUD BOYS”; Steve Bannon & School Board Elections” and “School Board elections & QAnon”. It’s a real window into everything you just wrote; it’s disturbing. Pad Finnigan used the word “evil” to imply that what is being used in schools is to be feared. What a crock of disturbed thinking.
Your call for people to flood the next school board meeting is right on cue. Creating fear and distrust in our school board members is the plan. The more angry and loud you can incite people to become, the better. Your “win at all cost” tactics and those of Anderson, Brown, their donors and supporters are being orchestrated at the local, state and national political levels. The goal is to create a cultural war over CRT and to get people riled up through the use of frear- mongering. The fact that Anderson and Brown approve of these tactics must mean they buy into the same beliefs of the far right extremists associated with this disinformation about CRT. David Anderson and Jeff Brown are currently receiving training by a Pierce County Republican Committee/club; so much for their keeping our schools free of a political agenda. Lakewood citizens deserve better.
The good citizens on our school board have been personally attacked by the same small group of far right-wing extremists associated with the Anderson and Brown campaigns. It is beyond sick.
I encourage anyone who is concerned about the political attacks on our non-partisan school board to attend the next school board meeting and watch the circus Pad Finnigan obviously wants to incite.
“…………..Claudia Thomas broke through barriers to become a mayor in this community traditionally controlled by white citizens…..” Perhaps you are not aware that “white citizens” Arbeeny, Cronk and Finnigan were the ones who put Claudia’s name in nomination for Mayor and did not vote for Doug Richardson for Mayor. His nomination failed 3 to 4 because of Claudia and we three “white citizens”. Thereafter her nomination was passed unanimously. Yes we three “white citizens” would have preferred a more conservative 4th member on the council (who just happened to be Asian American and younger) but that is no crime nor racist: it just made political sense. To her credit, Claudia did work with we three members to make Lakewood a better place to live, work and play.
John,
I never called you a racist for having wanted Claudia Thomas defeated; nor did I accuse you of any crime. I clearly know you, Pad Finnigan and Ron Cronk used age discrimination against Claudia Thomas to promote your own conservative agenda. You will do anything to win as proven by your use of gossip, personal attacks and false information to support your arguments and the candidates you endorse for school board.
“………..gossip, personal attacks and false information…..” Give examples or go home.
Another tired excuse by leftist: conspiracies everywhere (except among leftists) and far right radical group membership claimed for anyone who disagrees with a leftist. What evidence do you have for any of your charges? None. How about being a bit more creative and sticking to the topic at hand? Hmmmm?
Mr. Anderson,
I trust the school board investigated and took appropriate action. I know Paul Wagemann is a big supporter of both you and Jeff Brown so it’s understandable you want to keep repeating these claims during your bid for school board. You are deeply wounded that someone called you a “racist” yet your campaign is endorsed by people who have made troubling statements accusing others of being racist. Like you have stated, ” You are judged by the company you keep..”
I find it disingenuous and quite convenient to condemn some and ignore others.
An oft repeated charge by you that has little or no impact. Is this all you’ve got? Pretty pitiful. Give examples of David Anderson and Jeff Brown “troubling” statements and those of their supporters that you feel are racist or find another line of response. Be a little creative for once.
The author seems misinformed and confused, mixing different elements and adding some judgement of his own… if you want an honest correlation then read this opinion about equity vs equality NOT only thru the lens of race, but any other diversity of needs that individual students might need… that is the CP equity policy focus, for example special needs students in the district, they don’t need ‘equal’ treatment to succeed they need more awareness of their needs and extra resources to succeed… that is an equity policy, for example students facing economic or hunger hardships at home, they need (not equality) but more or extra resources focused toward them to succeed, like free or reduced lunch, that is an equity policy, …students that have english as a second language may need (not equal treatment) but more and extra resources to succeed, that too is an equity policy, students of social and ethnic diversity and backgrounds may face unique challenges or at least hold a hope for an awareness of their perceived challenges and social and cultural concerns and that too is an equity policy.
On nearly all levels the Clover Park School district is one of the most diverse school districts in the state, and it’s wise and good policy to recognize it and to implement an equity policy that helps all our student and recognize that simple equality is not enough, that some need equity, which is more than others to succeed, and since the goal of a district should be that all student succeed to the best of their abilities that is a good thing.
Why the author here seems confused or misinformed or oppose to that concept is questionable and suspect.
“………….to implement an equity policy that helps all our student and recognize that simple equality is not enough, that some need equity, which is more than others to succeed…..” This is another “word game” that CRT apologist use to support it. It is agreed that some students need more help than others to succeed. However to assume that the need is a matter of racial group membership rather than individual need is by definition racist. There are too many minority success stories, to include a twice elected President, to assume that they need woke white people to succeed. That is indeed racist by definition.
To MM Russell.
Bravo, you did a great job of explaining the difference between equity and equality. I was writing a statement on the subject when I read yours so I’ll not restate the same arguments other than to say I agree with you.
On a personal note, I spent 2 years of high school in the South where the policy was “separate but equal “. It surely was separate, but it was not equal.
And yet “separate but equal” is the logical outcome of CRT and the CPSD’s equity policy. A key component is the hiring of “people of color” as teachers to teach “students of color” as though only people of the same color can effectively teach people of the same color. Apparently a middle class, two parent, black, college educated teacher can somehow most closely relate to a poor, single parent (70%+ of births out of wedlock), black child even though they may share little in their lifetimes in the way of culture, upbringing or values. All this because they share something of the same skin color. This idea is racist by definition.
Mr Arbeeny …replace your ‘racial group’ language with ‘special needs group’, or ‘free lunch/low income group’, or ‘english as a second language group’ and you might see the fallacy in your comment, and you saying “…need is a matter of group membership rather than individual need is (wrong)” …and how blind and insincere it is to say …since there are more than just one individual in a common group with special needs or challenges to overcome. And equity policies are the means to help all students to better achieve and succeed, even if they need extra attention, equity, not just equality.
At it’s very basis, the equity policy is rooted in the concept that “marginalized communities” haven’t gotten a fair shake educationally. “Marginalized communities” is code for minority racial groups……except perhaps for Asians who don’t fit the leftist narrative. You may rationalize the equity policy as being based upon individual need but that “need” is expressed in the equity policy as a group need. To assume that all individuals within a particular racial or ethnic group (or pick some other stereotypical group) have the same individual needs based upon that group’s alleged characteristic(s) is racist by definition.
Mr Arbeeny – Again you present a logical fallacy of ‘group’ …but you are correct individuals that may happen to also fall within a ‘group’ …each of them do absolutely come with different individual experiences and specific needs.
Just like all special-needs student are not the same and come with different experiences too, just like a free lunch/low income group individual’s come with varying degrees of resources, just like all students in a english-as-a-second language group are individuals with varying skills and needs based on their own experiences …and that typically holds true for all individual members of ‘groups’ that are being addressed by modern equity policies, including ‘racial and ethnic groups’ …and so all the individuals of these various group do not all have the exact same level of individual need.
However and more importantly they …as a group do have and they do share a common experience, and base or level of need for adoption of specific equity policies tailored for them and for their group dynamic, which is providing more or extra help or more focused programming tailored to them as a group and for them to help make sure all and everyone wins and succeeds best.
So you saying equity policy as related to groups, instead of only individuals is ‘racist’ or is a flawed concept is wrong and seems inefficient, and naive, misinformed, misguided and possibly questionable in it’s motivation.