There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Critical Race Theory (CRT) recently, with many people speaking out against it. However, a surprising number of those people don’t actually know what CRT is.
CRT is an academic concept that originated in legal studies in the 1970s. It argues that racism is not just individual prejudice or discrimination but is embedded in social systems and structures. CRT also recognizes that race intersects with other forms of identity, such as gender and class, and that these intersections can lead to different experiences of oppression.
Despite CRT’s academic origins, some conservatives have taken issue with it, claiming that it promotes a divisive and Marxist ideology. Former President Donald Trump even issued an executive order banning diversity training that included CRT from federal agencies.
However, critics of CRT often misunderstand what it actually is. Many people have conflated CRT with diversity and inclusion training, anti-racism initiatives, and even the teaching of history that includes the experiences of marginalized groups.
For example, in Loudoun County, Virginia, a controversy erupted over CRT when parents objected to a school district’s decision to include books that address issues of race and diversity in the curriculum. While CRT was not being taught, some parents believed that it was because they heard buzzwords like “systemic racism” and believed it was a part of the curriculum.
Similarly, in Ohio, lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban the teaching of any “divisive concepts,” including CRT. The bill’s language did not actually define what CRT is, leading to confusion and misinformation.
This lack of understanding about CRT has caused tensions and conflicts in schools and among policymakers. It also highlights a bigger issue of people reacting not to what CRT actually is, but to how it is presented and framed.
So, what can be done to rectify this situation? It starts with education and understanding. People need to be informed about what CRT is and what its goals are. Only then can a productive conversation take place about whether or not it is appropriate for certain settings.
In conclusion, the recent controversy over CRT has been fueled by a lack of understanding about what it actually is. Instead of arguing against it based on misconceptions, we should strive to educate ourselves about it so that we can engage in constructive dialogue about important issues of race and equality.
