A common argument against banning Critical Race Theory in public schools is that the schools don’t teach critical race theory.
That is no longer the position of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Not only has the party acknowledged that concepts derived from Critical Race Theory are being taught in schools — the party is now openly supporting it.
The Massachusetts Democratic Party held its statewide convention last week; the party determined which statewide candidates would make the September 2022 primary ballot. However, the delegates also voted on six resolutions in the weeks leading up to the event; the resolution votes were held electronically from May 24 to May 31.
One of them was called: “Resolution Acknowledging the Value of Critical Race Theory and Supporting Laws that Protect the Civil Rights of the LGBTQ Community.”
The premise: the party platform now supports teaching critical race theory in schools as well as content that conservatives have argued is sexually explicit.
The measure passed with 93 percent support, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Democratic Party told NewBostonPost.
Whereas Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic concept that centers on the premise that race is a social construct, and that racism is not only a product of individual bias or prejudice, but is also embedded in laws, policies, and procedures in institutions (e.g., the criminal justice system, education system, labor market, housing market, and healthcare system) that lead to different outcomes by race; and
Whereas lawmakers in more than 34 states have enacted new laws and/or introduced new policies and procedures that hide or obstruct how social constructs have perpetuated systemic racism, restricts anti-racism training, or prevents the teaching of concepts that some consider divisive, and/or unfairly critical; and
Whereas, the annual number of anti-LGBTQ bills filed nationwide that would limit the LGBTQ rights has soared from 41 bills in 2018 to 238 bills in less than three months of 2022, totaling 670 bills in the last four years; and
Whereas in March 2022, Florida passed the controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law that forbids “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties (in Florida) on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards”; and
Whereas the Mass Democratic Party has clearly affirmed in its Charter and its Platform that it fully supports equality—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability, or national origin — and recognizes that discrimination in all its forms is a pervasive problem in our society; and
Whereas, the Mass Democratic Party also states in its Charter that it has pledged to advocate for the rights of all individuals and denounces any acts that obstruct or eradicate these rights, and, furthermore, its members have committed themselves to participate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training to better understand the differences of all groups represented in the Commonwealth.
Therefore be it Resolved, that we, the members of the Massachusetts Democratic Party (MDP), denounce the proposal or establishment of laws, policies, and procedures that prohibit the instruction and/or discussion of Critical Race Theory or LGBTQ or Trans topics in school curriculums and the prevention of the civil rights of any U.S. citizen.
In March, the Florida legislature A bill passed a bill called “Parental Rights in Education” (HB.1557); it bars schools from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through grade 3. Opponents have nicknamed the bill “Don’t Say Gay.”
Wben asked for a comment on this resolution, the Massachusetts Democratic Party provided this statement via email from chairman Gus Bickford: “We are grateful to those who participated in the resolution process and for the thoughtful consideration they gave on all the issues.”
The party also passed five other resolutions.
One is what the party calls a 21st Century Bill of Rights. It received 97 percent support.
Here is what it says the party supports:
The right to a job that pays a living wage.
The right to a voice in the workplace through a union and collective bargaining.
The right to comprehensive quality health care.
The right to a complete cost-free public education and access to broadband internet.
The right to decent, safe, affordable housing.
The right to a clean environment and a healthy planet.
The right to an equitable and economically fair justice system.
The right to vote and otherwise participate in public life.
Another resolution is called “Access To High-Quality, Debt-Free Higher Education.” It passed with 96 percent support.
This resolution states that the Massachusetts Democratic Party supports increasing public funding for public colleges:
Therefore, be it resolved that Massachusetts Democrats support policies and practices to fund Massachusetts public universities and colleges at and above their 2001 levels, adjusted for inflation to the current year and each year hereafter, minimize the debt borne by individual students and their families, and ensure every resident of the Commonwealth who wants to go to college has access to high quality, debt-free higher education.
Additionally, one called “Resolution To Support Fair, Equitable Immigration Policies” passed with 97 percent support. Its goal is to protect illegal immigrants from deportation.
Here is what it says:
Therefore, be it resolved that the 2022 State Convention urges President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to reassess the granting of TPS status based on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other dangerous conditions in countries around the globe, regardless of immigrants’ race, class, or creed; and
Be it further resolved that the 2022 State Convention urges the Massachusetts federal delegation to act swiftly to protect undocumented people, including documented DREAMers and other immigrants whose status may soon lapse, due to Congressional inaction – from deportation.
Concerning transgenderism, the party passed a resolution called “Protecting Trans Youth Fleeing Oppression.” It received 96 percent support from the delegates. It states:
Therefore, be it resolved that the delegates attending the Democratic State Party 2022 Convention call on the Massachusetts State government to engage in swift legislative and executive measures in support of those families or individuals fleeing persecution in health care due to their gender identity in these States to the Commonwealth, to ensure that access to travel to the State by these groups is equitable, and prevent the extradition of and protect those who may otherwise be made to return to those States where they would be subject to criminal penalty for assisting children in accessing life-saving and medically necessary gender-affirming healthcare.
These measures should include:
A system of microgrants to assist those in already disadvantaged populations who would otherwise be unable to travel to safety;
A program to spread information on the State’s policies, and to welcome those who flee to it in escaping persecution and discrimination;
Assistance to those fleeing who may experience wage insecurity or would otherwise be unable to maintain their livelihood as a result of moving to the State in the advancement of the protection of their child(ren), and support while they find local opportunities to reestablish their lives;
The provision of resources to any transgender youth who may arrive fleeing persecution alone, or without the support of a legal guardian, to establish themselves in the State without fear of extradition.
A method whereby individuals fleeing persecution to the State be recognized as residents of Massachusetts within 30 days of their arrival, for purposes including but not limited to those of income tax, MassHealth, and public schooling (including higher education).
The remaining resolution passed with 98 percent support. It is called “Resolution in Support of School Meals for All.”
That resolution orders the Massachusetts Democratic Party to do two things:
1. Supports any and all actions by the State Legislature and Executive Branch that continues School Meals for All from grades K-12.
2. The Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party inform by letter the Speaker of the Massachusetts House and the President of the Massachusetts Senate of this action.
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Photo by college.library via Flickr 
