Students should be challenged in our classrooms

Thank you for keeping us informed of (new) 2021 Iowa laws. I "pinch" myself trying to understand two of them, the no-permit gun law and the (anti-free speech) law against teaching critical race theory.

I earned a master's degree in 2009 from UNI and yes, the critical theories were mind-puzzles to me, and so they sharpened my tool box. I welcome the challenge to think, to be among fellow students and instructors who take us places my solo journeys wouldn't go. Not for not wanting to, but for not knowing there are theories to explore and people to talk with about them. Certainly we students came away befuddled or frustrated or irritated with the reading assignments that were hardly relatable to our typical routines, but still. Discussion in the classroom, writing about our reading, asking questions — all foundations of free speech.

From the Declaration of Independence: " … a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation." Critical theory that, Iowa Legislature.

Gretchen Reeh-Robinson

Mount Vernon