Concentrate on our real problems II
EDITOR:
Since Rep. John Ragan is an employee of mine (as well as the other taxpayers of Tennessee), I think it is my responsibility to explain to him “why not” to pass a law that addresses a “made-up problem for public schools.”
The reason is that we don’t need solutions to non-existent problems.
We need solutions to real problems and as my representative, he should be working on actual issues that affect the citizens of Tennessee.
Since Critical Race Theory is not taught in Tennessee public schools, why waste verbiage and time trying to upset everyone?
I would like to suggest to Rep. Ragan that he focus his efforts on helping the 20.5 percent of Tennesseans who have medical debt in collections. That is the 7th highest rate in the nation. Another real issue is that TN has one of the highest consumer bankruptcy rates in the country; only Alabama’s rate is higher.
“Real median household income has fallen in Tennessee every year since 2017, coinciding with a drop from 39th to 44th in national rank” (all data from Think Tennessee).
These are real problems for our state and its citizens and there are many more which need to be addressed.
Finally, he asserts that he, as a legislator representing his constituents, has the authority to tell teachers “what to say and how to say it” in the classroom.
I find this statement very disturbing because it reeks of fascism.
Teachers do have certain guidelines and standards concerning what they teach, but we also believe in academic freedom for educators.
Moreover, I sincerely doubt that Rep. Ragan has the knowledge, training and expertise to take on this task.
Marsha Livingston
retired teacher
Clinton