(Editor's Notes by Christina Myer - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

“Teachers are scared to death,” one gentleman said to me the other day. He was accompanied by another man, and it was clear the two of them had been discussing something before I joined the conversation. The second man asked me “What is critical race theory?” I was encouraged by the fact that these two men were smart enough to understand the term probably did not mean what a certain faction of politicians hopes they will believe it means.

So I explained to the best of my understanding — trying to heavily sprinkle the explanation with phrases like “my OPINION is,” but also making clear the wiggle room that lets me do that is what some politicians are exploiting and twisting.

And, of course the twisting of concepts and misuse of labels such as “critical race theory” (maybe even a dramatic and intentional misunderstanding) are just some of the tools a few state lawmakers seem to be using against teachers — again — this year.

Facts are facts, after all. Neither good nor bad. Teaching of those facts is neither condemnation nor admiration. On the other hand it is telling that so many of the politicians who have jumped on the bandwagon DO believe statements of historical fact are an attack against them and theirs. Hm. Interesting. You have to wonder why it is a threat to them that students might learn and discuss ALL of our nation’s history.

Meanwhile, imagine being a teacher right now, wondering what you can teach, what you can say, who you can be seen with … and whether someone is waiting for you to “slip up” so they can report you.

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series of books, you’ll know a character named Dolores Umbridge. She was an insufferable bureaucrat who knew nothing about education, but gave herself the power to make all kinds of decrees about education, anyway. She was evil. In fact, some literary scholars think of her as being more evil — more sinister — than the series’ main villain, Voldemort.

As will be the case in real life, the more Umbridge tried to limit what students could learn, what they could do and say, etc., the more they found ways around her.

Of course, she had a group of students she was grooming to behave in the way she wanted. They were her Inquisitorial Squad.

Yes, we hear the word “grooming” used in relation to a certain set of beliefs and behaviors, but we don’t often talk about the grooming this same faction of politicians HOPES will take place in our schools. What they hope to do by dictating so much of the manner in which a child is educated is grooming, too.

Again, it’s all a matter of perspective. Expecting children to stand up, face a flag, place their hand in a certain position and recite the same words every morning of their public school lives is meant to groom them toward a certain belief about their country. And please understand, I’m not talking about whether you agree or disagree with the aim of the grooming. But we’re fooling ourselves if we pretend it’s not already happening.

Meanwhile, how can a teacher do his or her job properly if — on top of everything else we ask of them these days — they’re forced to teach LESS, to keep kids in the dark on some matters? Of course they’re stressed out and confused.

I said many times before all this nonsense became trendy among a certain set that there was no way I would have the skills or patience to be a teacher. I applaud those who are cut out for it. And for goodness sake, I wish state lawmakers would stop trying so hard to make their jobs more difficult. It’s counterproductive in every way.

If they aren’t willing to get out of teachers’ way, voters will have to take matters into their own hands and boot them out.

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com