Mary Wood, an AP language arts teacher at Chapin High School, faced significant backlash in 2023 for introducing Ta-Nehisi Coates' memoir, "Between the World and Me," to her class.

The memoir, which explores Coates' experiences of being Black in America, led to controversy when a student expressed feeling "ashamed to be Caucasian," prompting administrators to pull the lesson. The incident drew national attention and highlighted tensions over teaching race-related topics, particularly under South Carolina's prohibition on concepts associated with critical race theory.

Despite the controversy and potential violations of state bans, Wood felt compelled to reintroduce the book due to its educational value. She meticulously planned her lessons, ensuring all materials and intentions were pre-approved and transparent to parents and administrators to avoid claims of ignorance. Her commitment was driven not only by the book's merits but also by concerns about the future of education and the suppression of essential discussions on racism and inequality.

Community Backlash and Calls for Teacher's Dismissal

Wood's previous lesson triggered a significant reaction, with students complaining to the school board about the discomfort caused by the discussions on systemic racism. These complaints referenced a state budget proviso prohibiting the teaching of specific race-related ideas in K-12 schools. The controversy impacted Wood deeply, with some parents withdrawing their children from her classes and questioning her place in the community despite her local roots and her father's history as the high school principal.

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At a June board meeting, State Rep. RJ May argued that the state proviso banning specific race-related topics does not eliminate discussions of history and race but rather removes Marxist ideas that undermine America's founding documents. He asserted that conservatives are not trying to erase history but believe in teaching more about the past, the Constitution, and the nation's founding ideals.

The district declined to comment on the incident. Still, it issued a statement emphasizing its policy of encouraging teachers to present a variety of viewpoints, enabling students to research, analyze, and form their positions on issues. The district advocates for open communication between families and teachers to resolve disagreements, allowing parents to discuss lesson details with the school principal. The goal is to cultivate critical thinking skills in students, allowing them to develop their understanding of the world.

Support Highlights Broader Educational Concerns

However, the negative response also generated widespread support from individuals worldwide, with invitations extended to Wood to share her story. This backing highlighted broader worries about the educational environment and the hesitancy among educators to tackle contentious subjects for fear of potential consequences.

Tess Pratt, chairwoman of Chapin High School's English department, emphasized that teaching English involves exposing students to familiar and unfamiliar stories. She expressed deep regret for having to remove Coates' books from Wood's class and acknowledged it as a wrongful act.

Reintroducing Controversial Lesson With Careful Planning

Heading into the new school year, Wood sought legal advice and coordinated closely with her new principal and department chair to align her teaching plan with district policies. She included counterexamples to Coates' conclusions and allowed students to opt out of the lesson, though none chose to do so. Despite receiving a complaint, Wood fought to continue teaching the book, emphasizing the importance of balanced discussions in AP courses, as stated by the district superintendent.

However, the memory of last year's backlash made Wood cautious, fearing misinterpretation or recording of her words. She felt this caution hindered the depth of classroom discussions, as she aimed to prepare students for the diverse perspectives they would encounter in college.

The new school year brought additional challenges, with some students expressing fears of Wood being fired or labeling her as racist for teaching Coates' book. Wood, who is White, felt these reactions indicated a misunderstanding of racism among her students.

Coates plans to address the controversy in his upcoming book, "The Message," which examines the broader backlash against America's recent historical reckonings. Wood found encouragement in having her son, Summit, in her class, which she believed helped humanize her to her students.

Wood aimed to teach students to engage with diverse perspectives critically, which is crucial for their academic and personal growth. She emphasized the value of exposing students to various viewpoints and advocated for open discourse, especially in Chapin, a community she characterized as conservative, Christian, and affluent. 

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