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Critical Race Theory has been the leading-topic of the education system for the past year. Administration and teachers across the country continue to implement CRT ideology, discussions, and resources into the classroom. The latest resource that has outraged thousands of parents is a children’s book recommendation by school districts about whiteness.

Christopher F. Rufo is a conservative activist, author, and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He has been a prevalent voice in preventing CRT from entering schools. Thursday, Rufo took to Twitter to inform his followers that public school districts in 12 states are encouraging students to read Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham.

Not My Idea is described as a “picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it’s real, and cultivate justice.” The book is recommend for ages 8-12 years old. It was named one of School library Journal’s “Best Books of 2018.” Glowing reviews include,

A necessary children’s book about whiteness, white supremacy, and resistance… Important, accessible, needed. —KIRKUS REVIEWS

And

An honest explanation about how power and privilege factor into the lives of white children, at the expense of other groups, and how they can help seek justice. —THE NEW YORK TIMES

On Rufo’s list, Marion County  is identified as one of the 25 public school districts encouraging the read. The recommendation can be found under a list the Marion Co. Public Superintendents put together for parents. The intentions of the recommended readings are to get parents talking about racism with their kids by using “valuable resources.”

Several books are suggested including How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Under additional resources can be found “Not My Idea: A Book About Whitenss (Ordinary Terrible Things) by Anastasia Higginbotham.”

Tony Katz calls out Pike Township, looking for answers.

“Are you indeed utilizing this book? A book that clearly pushes the idea that people are guilty for the color of their skin, for things they did not do, and strips away their individuality… It strips away who they are as people and assigns them to a group which they are now held guilty and they should think of themselves as guilty.”

https://omny.fm/shows/tony-katz-and-the-morning-news/pike-townships-gross-reading-recommendation-for-ki