Ohio legislators draw up bills to limit teaching of controversial topics in the classroom

Is it safe to assume that prior to a few years ago, not many of us were familiar with the term "Critical Race Theory?"

That concept has been around for 40 years. But conversation in recent months shows that many people still don't understand what those words really mean.

Yet that hasn't stopped it from being the subject of arguments in the halls of government, around our classrooms and at school board meetings coast-to-coast.

Here in Ohio, multiple bills have been introduced by the state legislature that seek to curb the teaching of divisive topics, often topics that deal with race, sex, or gender identity.

Today on the program, we bring you a panel discussion organized by the United Way of Greater Cleveland looking at this topic.

Ideastream Public Media will present these ‘community conversations’ throughout the year. And while United Way’s conversations all focused on the Consent Decree in 2021, this year – we’ll hear about other issues, like mental health, racial equity, and voting rights.

The panel for this conversation on education included Blaine Griffin, Ward 6 Councilman and President of Cleveland City Council, John Corlett, President and Executive Director at the Center for Community Solutions, Meryl Johnson, Member of the Ohio Board of Education from District 11, and Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Associate Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law

- John Corlett, President and Executive Director at the Center for Community Solutions

- Blaine Griffin, Ward 6 Councilman and Council President for the Cleveland City Council

- Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Associate Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law

- Meryl Johnson, District 11, Ohio State Board of Education