There was a heated debate in Bedford Wednesday night when parents showed up at a Board of Education meeting at Fox Lane High School to discuss if critical race theory should be taught in schools.

Critical race theory is basically the idea that systemic racism still affects us today, so people of different races are treated differently when it comes to education, job opportunities, housing, the law and more.

The Board of Education meeting was packed, but many of the parents there couldn't even agree on what the meeting was actually about.

There were some who believe teaching kids about race will only create more division and hate.

There were others who believe kids deserve to know the truth - that racism still exists.

The parents asked the school board to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee - or DEI.

The committee would do things like ensure a representative curriculum and that there's racial equity in hiring staff.

Some parents said that the committee proposed would simply implement critical race theory - just under a different guise.

Those who are proposing this committee say critical race theory is not their mission at all.

The board will most like reconvene on July 1 to vote on whether or not to create the committee.