"Learning about history is sometimes uncomfortable unless you only learn about parts of it and cover up the rest," says Youngstown City Schools teacher Heather Smith.
 
She explained that it's her basis for teaching American history from different perspectives.
 
"It's not about teaching students what to think, it's teaching them how to think and how to question things and how to think critically about the things in the world around them," Smith said. 
 
It's also the foundation of critical race theory.
 
It's decades-old but has only recently become a point of controversy.
 
"It's used to help folks examine how white supremacist logics or ideas disadvantage people of color through legal systems and other measures. What it is not is some kind of framework or perspective that says white individuals are evil or bad, it is not about people," says Dr. Dorinda Carter, a professor at Michigan State University.
 
She tells 21 News the recent spotlight on critical race theory comes from people confusing it with anti-racist teaching.
 
But that's not how opponents see it.
 
State Representative Adam Holmes of Dresden is a co-sponsor of House Bill 327.
 
While we couldn't find any specific mention of CRT in it, its aim is to "prohibit teaching, advocating, or promoting divisive concepts."
  
"We don't want to violate First Amendment speech or instruction, I think critical thinking is great," says Holmes. "What we're saying in the bill is that it's a belief system, it's an ideology, a theory so it should be briefed and taught that way, not as factual information."
 
But some teachers, including Smith, are fighting back.
 
They're gathering Saturday to rally against the bill.
 
"Whenever you speak truth to power you're going to have some pushback," Smith said. 
 
The "Teach the Truth" rally is Saturday at noon at the old Northside Pool in Youngstown.
 
There's some significance to that because that was one of many pools closed during the end of segregation.
 
As for House Bill 327 - it's in its early stages sitting in committee.