An Honest Education: Talking About Race, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom

Conversations about race, equity, and inclusion are not new to K-12 classrooms. From studying MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech to the analysis of works by poet Maya Angelou, these discussions have been necessary components in lessons on history, literature, and art for decades.

Yet, in response to sudden outrage over Critical Race Theory, the Ohio state legislature has introduced two bills that ban “divisive concepts” – a broad definition that leaves much to interpretation and has put many routine classroom conversations in jeopardy.

What will be at stake if these conversations are prohibited in schools? Why are honest conversations about race, equity, and inclusion important in K-12 education?

Join the City Club for a virtual conversation with local voices at the heart of the matter: John Adams, Department Chair for History, Cleveland School of Science and Medicine at John Hay High School; Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers; Owen Ganor, Student at Rocky River High School; and Sarah Rintamaki, a parent of two children in the Westlake City Schools.

The livestream will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. Have questions? Tweet them at @TheCityClub or send a text to 330.541.5794.

The ideas expressed in City Club forums are those of the speakers, and not of the City Club, Ideastream Public Media, or their sponsors.