The infusion of "social justice" concepts into the curriculum is a decades-old approach that has drawn in a new generation of educators, often those who teach large numbers of low-income and minority students. The diffuse movement to address social issues, historical conflicts, and multicultural viewpoints that have not been part of the traditional curriculum has often attracted controversy and derision, however. Proponents of what is often called critical pedagogy are finding themselves on the defensive once again, amid a new round of attacks related to the presidential campaign. Social-justice teaching has been under an especially harsh spotlight in recent months because one of its exponents is William C. Ayers, a leader of the violent Weather Underground of the Vietnam War era whose ties to Senator Barack Obama have become a prominent issue for opponents of the Democratic presidential nominee. This article presents arguments from the proponents and opponents of social-justice teaching.