OPINION | Conservative groups, politicians threaten critical race education
December 8, 2021
(Gabe Darley)
Segregation. Criminal Justice Policy. The legacies of enslavements on Black Americans. Prejudice in the U.S. The living racism in our U.S policies — when will it stop and when will it be heard?
After the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, an intellectual movement emerged that delved into the legal studies regarding racial inequities persisting in the U.S. government and laws called Critical Race Theory. CRT explains that race is socially constructed and institutionalized, as the very idea of race itself favors “white” causing people of color’s subordination.
The presence of CRT has become prevalent in higher levels of education, but hot debate has recently sparked controversy over where and if CRT should be taught in a vast manner such as in our public school system.
Conservative groups argue CRT being taught in our schools serves as a notion that America is racist and evil — and it is being taught as a mechanism to cause divide or revolt in the country. In the past year, 24 state legislatures have brought forth 54 individual bills intended to limit teachings on race, sex and gender in the United States in K-12 public schools. Glenn Youngkin, a Virginia governor candidate, along with various other political figures have announced their dedication to banning CRT in public schools upon their first day in office.
Looking for answers as to where this recent backlash has come from, we can easily trace its roots back to President Trump’s executive order in which he banned federal agencies from training those against racist and sexist prejudicial actions. Trump stated it encouraged retaliating against the country as it provides notions that the United States is “inherently racist or sexist.”
If we allow the CRT ban, how far will we let governmental institutions impose dictations on school teachings? The very idea is a violation to the first amendment at its very basis. Critical Race Theory is not “anti-American” as Trump states. It is educating our citizens on how our past has shaped the reality of our world and highlighting what we have overcome over the years and what we still must accomplish.
Teaching our youth these concepts is the first step into which we must take to right our wrongs overtime — as there is a deeply immersed prejudice bias in our government systems that reflects upon daily life.
It is known that the youth of this country and this generation will be the change makers.
Education is valuable, young empowered minds are valuable, and therefore our country and state legislatures must add to that value by teaching Critical Race Theory.
Alum • Jan 6, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Using the idea that CRT explains that race is socially constructed and is the very idea of race favors “white” and causing people of color’s subordinate, is in itself racist. How can a “Contributing Columnist” justify teachings of CRT and not see the inherent racism in decrying the white population as the root of racist policies in the U.S. Let me ask this. Who is being oppressed? You, “Contributing Columnist” as you sit and gain your $75k a year education? You, Tulane student who received a full scholarship to a University that you are offended by its namesake? All of this “conversation” about race, is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues. Poverty, homelessness, and poor educational outcomes. There are just as many “white” persons who live in poverty, homeless, and have poor educational outcomes, but because they are white means that they are privileged and that government policies have not left them behind? We are by definition as humans (oops “living people”) have 99.99% of the same genetic makeup. As as racist, color is your defining criteria, “Contributing Columnist”. Please do not belittle those of us who are focused on the reality of the situation. We are all slaves to the man, white, black, and brown. But I guess because those of us that are white are privileged we do not experience the harsh reality of life. Life is painful regardless of your skin tone. Get some GRIT, stop conversing about it and do something about it, otherwise, please do not “contribute” to racist commentary.