Rockford Sun

Crystal Graika says critical race theory (CRT) offers up all the wrong lessons.

“CRT is teaching our children to judge on skin color which is racism,” the former Rockford student said. “Look up the definition. This is wrong, and children should love, not hate.”

Graika isn’t the only opposed to the trend of CRT coming to classrooms across Illinois.

Evanston-Skokie District 65,drama teacher Stacy Deemar recently filed suit in federal court, charging the teachings are divisive and “perpetuate harmful racial stereotypes.”

Deemar is being aided in her legal battle by the Southeast Legal Foundation formed by journalist and activist Christopher Rufo. The legal coalition seeks to get CRT teachings and instruction struck down by the Supreme Court. As part of her complaint, Deemar argues District 65 school officials divided teachers based on their race and directed teachers to read a book titled “Not my Idea” to their students, according to The DC. In the story, the devil makes a “Contract Binding you to Whiteness” where the main character will receive “stolen land,” “stolen riches,” and “special favors” in return.

The devil in the story later defines whiteness as giving people the license “to mess endlessly with the lives of friends, neighbors, loved ones, and all fellow humans of your COLOR.”

While requesting just $1.00 in damages, Deemar’s suit seeks a declaratory judgment and injunction on CRT teachings.

Graika said she just wishes things could be more like they were when she was attending school in Rockford.

“I didn't judge my friends by their skin color,” she said. “I had made some wonderful friends and I still consider my Black friends as friends. We are equal and control our own destiny.”