Letter to the editor: NEA's critical race theory push

In the article “Critical race theory: What it is, what it isn’t, and what it means for education in Pennsylvania” (July 15, TribLIVE), it is amazing that the National Education Association’s position on the issue was not disclosed. But it could have been.

Just prior to Independence Day, the NEA held its annual convention. It passed a resolution called Business Item 39 which stated “we oppose attempts to ban critical race theory and/or The 1619 Project.”

In the resolution, money was directed to be spent on publicizing CRT and conducting research on CRT opponents and obstructing their efforts. A study critiquing various “forms of power and oppression at the intersections of our society” was to be made available to NEA members. And a national day of action was designated for mid-October to teach about “structural racism and oppression.”

The reporter interviewed a Pennsylvania State Education Association spokesperson for the article. He gave a generalized response and did not acknowledge Business Item 39. And he was not asked about the NEA scrubbing the website once the resolution became public knowledge.

The NEA is committed to critical race theory, both politically and educationally. Expect it to support the efforts of the Biden Department of Education to attach CRT with grants for American history and civics education.

James Kelm

Latrobe