Critical Race Theory and the Hysteria that Follows it
WHAT IS CRT?
Critical Race Theory, or CRT, is a theoretical and interpretive mode that examines the appearance of race and racism across dominant cultural modes of expression. In adopting this approach, CRT scholars attempt to understand how victims of systemic racism are affected by cultural perceptions of race and how they are able to represent themselves to counter prejudice.
Closely connected to such fields as philosophy, history, sociology, and law, CRT scholarship traces racism in America through the nation’s legacy of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and recent events.
WHEN DID IT START?
WHO ARE THE ORIGINATORS OF THIS THEORY?
CRT originated in the mid 1970s in the writings of several American legal scholars, including Derrick Bell, Alan Freeman, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Richard Delgado, Cheryl Harris, Charles R. Lawrence III, Mari Matsuda, and Patricia J. Williams.[1]
Main Takeaway: If you want to learn about CRT go where the knowledge is. That means credible sources. Stop watching news pundits and angry parents go on rants about things they don’t know enough about. Trust the original theorists and those who have expanded on the work. We share some places to start, keep reading.
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD BOOKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CRT?
Follow our dear friend, Dr. Angel Jones @angeljonesphd on Instagram. I promise you will constantly learn something and be highly entertained. Here, she recommends some great reads if you want to learn more about CRT from the experts and theorists.
WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT CRT?
Critics Say:
Create racial divide
The teachings make America look racist
Make kids feel guilty or ashamed of their race
Truth is:
K-12 Teachers aren’t teaching Critical Race Theory
Many K-12 Teachers teach history accurately and therefore share the facts of past events
It’s almost insulting to children to imply they’d feel this way by presenting them with accurate facts. When we’ve asked students, we overwhelmingly hear “teach us the truth”.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AS A RESULT OF THE BACKLASH?
People are being misinformed and are now lumping so many other things under the umbrella of Critical Race Theory. Keep in mind some of these things literally have nothing to do with CRT. Check out the Tweet below from the Texas Public Policy Foundation. They are literally saying equity and allyship are CRT “buzz worthy words”. Keep in mind as mentioned above CRT is not being taught in K-12 schools. I am literally shaking my head.
Worse yet you’ve got several states banning CRT teaching that was never happening in the first place and discreetly calling it all these other things ultimately trying to get rid of critical thinking and equitable classrooms.
Pay attention to how many states have taken no action or dare I say actually reaffirm teaching black history or anti-racism. That's all many educators are saying here. Let’s teach a more accurate history of black people, and include more nuance about racism so by learning we can decrease the number of racists in this country. Seems plausible and fruitful, ask yourself why would people not want students to know the truth? Why would they want to continue white-washing history? Who benefits from that?
Last point, remember when all of those companies were making BLACK LIVES MATTERS policies? Not many have spoken out about these bands but it’d be a great way for them to put their money where their mouth is.
WHAT CAN EDUCATORS AND ED-SUPPORTERS DO?
I’ll be honest this is the beginning, I predict that the map will continue to get more red and orange sadly. Many people right now are determined to preserve this image of America, and stifling educators is a critical step. Continue to do good work, teach culturally relevant lessons, and be the change you want to see in the world. This is literally our civil rights movement, right now! What action can you take below?
Sign a petition to fight back (search change.org for one in your state) Here’s one for my Georgia folks, anyone can sign too!
Call your school board rep and or governor and tell them you think teaching accurate historical facts is important regardless of the title of the week ie. CRT
Start Organizing with Others who Care
Continue teaching truth