Community members speak on critical race theory at HCS board meeting
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE (Thursday, July 15):
The debate over critical race theory (CRT) has come to Hamilton County Schools again.
On Thursday night, some parents and community members addressed the board to speak against the topic, and one group showed their opposition to what those speakers had to say.
Hamilton County Schools has said they don't teach critical race theory.
NewsChannel 9's Sam Britten was at Thursday's meeting. You can watch the event below.
Members of Chattanooga Moms for Social Justice didn't directly speak on critical race theory, but they did discuss the books they've gotten into libraries and how they celebrate diversity.
You can watch the full community speech section below:
This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.
ORIGINAL STORY (Tuesday, July 13):
A representative from BLEXIT Tennessee will speak on critical race theory at this week's Hamilton County School Board meeting.
Back in May, the state banned teachers and school systems in the state from discussing the topic.
Under the legislation, funding would be withheld from schools if they teach about systemic racism and white privilege.
Hamilton County Schools has said the law does not affect anything the district is doing, because of their policy.
BLEXIT community outreach director Fallon Clark tells us there is more to history than what is being taught.
"Why are we only giving slavery? Why are we only giving civil rights? And then there's a 146-year span between both of them, and there's nothing there?" asked Clark.
According to its website, the BLEXIT movement "aims to uplift and empower minorities to realize the American Dream."
We will keep you updated on what happens at Thursday's school board meeting.
