Critical Race Theory & Us

There have been many arguments over the inclusion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in American public school’s required curriculum within the past decade, as well as in many political leaders’ agendas. Despite its popular controversies and intricacies, the fundamentals of CRT remain a mystery to many communities who are impacted most by its teachings. Learning its relevance and how to move forward is crucial to national growth.

What is CRT?

Critical Race Theory highlights how the concept of race does not hold a biological foundation, but instead, is a socially constructed idea that has been historically embedded into our institutions and culture. The theory challenges everyone – regardless of ethnic identity – to look at their experiences with racism as one that everyone actively contributes to.

Current Debates

Many politicians, educators, and social theorists have proposed that CRT postulates that to achieve social equity, blaming and even being 'racist back' to white people will assist us in getting there. As a result, and as of April 2023, 18 states have banned the teaching of Critical Race Theory in K-12 education, and 17 others currently have a bill introduced to congress in the process of a ban/restriction. The banning of such teaching refers to imposed restrictions on how educators can go about teaching race, ethnicity, and religious-based practices, emphasizing that the U.S. cannot be promoted as historically or inherently racist.

 "Any anti-racist effort is being labeled as critical race theory," said Jonathan Chism, assistant professor of history at the University of Houston–Downtown and co-editor of Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines.

The United States built its values, its economy, its finances, and its culture - on wholly repressive ideals. From the subjugation of Africans in the practice of slavery, to the forced removal of Native Americans from their land, and the omnipresent assimilation of Africans, Native Americans, Jews, Catholics, Hispanics, Asians, and more, into white culture. To know that future generations may not learn about the Civil Rights Movement, Japanese Internment, Jim Crow, Brown v. Board and political backlash, nativism, the Know Nothing Party, and so, so many more — is saddening. This is withholding the truth that generations must have to go forward and not repeat mistakes of the past. 

Others argue, however, that the inclusion of race-based ordeals and historical events in academics will influence reverse-racism efforts. They fear that white-identifying students may emerge as an out-group and this curriculum could instill guilt into their own family history and personal identity. Additionally, education about white privilege can be difficult! But teaching that those possessing a white skin tone will systematically and socially face a lower level of racial subjugation and discrimination as compared to their BIPOC peers, is crucial. Without these young minds knowing their place in both modern and historical American society, it will be impossible to overcome the unfair boundaries in practice today.

There is also the debate over how banning CRT and identity-based teachings discredits our right to free speech and censors the history that has been consistently overlooked in textbooks. This sparks a lot of fear in K-12 educators, as they worry they may lose their jobs if they educate students on topics of sexism or racism. If they go out of their way to cover current events, including racial violence and sex crimes, in an attempt to help the future generation, they risk their income and occupational stability. And there is the concern that even if what they teach is following the book, a student or family could interpret it differently than anticipated.

An excellent example of this can be shown in Tennessee of 2021, in which a group of parents protested against the curriculum taught to 2nd graders: books covering the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, and Ruby Bridges' own biography. This parent group claimed this teaching went against Tennessee's recent ban on Critical Race Theory-oriented studies. These individuals were concerned their children were being exposed to the brutality that white people had imposed on others, painting the white-identity as 'evil.' However, the contrasting argument highlights that this is not CRT, this is just plain old history that can not be sugarcoated. School board member Gini Pupo-Walker speaks on how educators are affected by these accusations and complaints:

“We have to protect our teachers," Pupo-Walker said. "Our teachers are going to be the ones attacked, the ones questioned, the ones judged. ...I will take the hits, I will take whatever it is I have to, to carry the load for [teachers] to do what they need to do."

Where do we go from here?

I truly believe that if we want to get better, restricting access to truth and transparency surrounding past and current events will do just the opposite. It is important to understand your role in this discussion. Who do you identify as? It is vital to know where you stand amid Critical Race Theory controversies and race-related arguments and correlating restrictions.

•  As parents, pursuing access to meaningful and unbiased content can be especially crucial. Although our children’s access to rounded academia is up for question, the themes we evoke at home continue to hold impressive volume. Speak with your kids about the content they are being exposed to and be receptive to any lingering questions they have that have gone unaddressed at school. These conversations hold a great influence over the way our youth interacts with the world and even mobilizes their future curiosities. As well, enhancing exposure to BIPOC creators, media, and non-fiction literature, can give children access to a world that may one day go censored in the classroom. Conceptions like intersectionality, black-female authors, queer studies, and more, can be shared and celebrated in the home and community environment.

• If you are a K-12 student living in an area in which CRT has been banned from your school curriculum, talk to your parents. Explain how you feel in regards to your education being skewed due to limited exposure to race and sex-based concepts. Do you have a teacher you trust? Ask if they would like to share how they feel about this limitation, and possible resources to look towards to get a proper education. Get involved with your School Board - whether it be as a student council representative, Speech and/or Debate member, or attending meetings with parents/friends. Change does not happen right away but being at the frontlines of these decisions is how it begins.

• Gather a group of peers and organize an event in which you discuss your feelings towards curriculum restrictions. Take advantage of online classes, local library sessions, resources like Kahn Academy, College Board, and organizations like Black Facts who speak rawly about America’s beginnings.

And most importantly, prioritize yourself! Expose yourself to as much reality and historical truth as you can.

We are walking stories of the past: our generation’s scars and triumphs. These are the truths we live and share everyday. No legislation can deprive us of our ancestors' and our own experience.