Critical Race Theory (CRT) In Schools: It’s Not About Education
Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been a constant talking point on both sides of the political aisle for years. CRT has officially crept into our workplaces and churches. Most upsetting, however, is that it is now in public school classrooms across America. CRT proponents want us to believe it is all about education. Let me assure you, though, that it has nothing to do with educating our kids. CRT in schools is a tool to indoctrinate our children in order for a select few to make gains in politics and control of the culture. Let’s talk.
CRT Used To Redefine
CRT has been sold to us as an analytical tool to understand racism and better advocate for policies that will fight racism. Actually, I’m moving too fast. You think you know what racism is, but they changed that, too.
Racism As We Have Always Known It
Racism: a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
This definition, of course, has traditionally been attributed to individuals. A person could be racist. That racism could certainly lead to what we would call systematic or institutional racism. However, in recent history, racism mostly had to do with what people believed and their personal actions.
Racism According To CRT
This definition is not so easy to sum up. In my opinion, the best synopsis is at dismantlingracism.org. The website literally has an entire blog post defining racism. Below is the summary.
Racism: “Racism is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism is when the power elite of one group, the white group, has the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society while shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices.”
Subtle, eh? I won’t deny that systemic and institutional racism have played a role in American history (i.e., slavery, Jim Crow, and redlining). It was shameful, and it has left a stain on our nation’s history. Thankfully, there are no legal grounds for such policies and legislation any longer. But despite the identification and removal of racist policies in our country, CRT advocates insist it exists today. How is that even possible, though? Well, they broaden the meaning of the terms and allege things have a racial motivation that do not.
Look closely, and you’ll notice the definition defines racism as having the power but not necessarily wielding it. I guess the assumption is “powerful” white people will undoubtedly use their position to keep everyone else beneath them because all whites are racist.
Institutional Racism
What accounts for institutional racism today? A lot of things end up on the list. Here are a few.
1. Policing
We saw Black Lives Matters (BLM) riot in the summer of 2020 throughout the streets of cities all across America in response to highly publicized police shootings. BLM decided police needed to be stopped. “Defund the police” became the mantra of the Left, and suddenly, any police presence at all was a racist and oppressive act. Ask citizens of the cities that neutralized their police how things are going. It turns out, defunding the men and women tasked to protect the community leaves people at risk. Who could have seen that twist coming?
In reference to research concerning police shootings and race reported in Voddie Baucham’s book, Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe, Baucham wrote the following:
“The only statistically significant differences by race demonstrate that black officers are more likely to shoot unarmed whites, relative to white officers.” (p.50)
You can read more about CRT and Baucham’s book HERE.
2. Higher Education
The SAT has been one of the most dreaded tests for students across the country and a rite of passage. It has traditionally been one of several factors that those in the college admissions department consider when accepting and rejecting applicants. Now, apparently, SAT exams are racist. Colleges all over the U.S. are dropping the test scores. Even Princeton University waived the test scores to allow in more people of color.
The claim is that the SAT exam is racist, but I would say claiming that black students can’t get into prestigious schools without the standards being lowered or removed completely is the real racism.
3. Tradition
Racist Wording
Tradition can include myths, beliefs, and words. According to CRT, America is laden with racist tradition that perpetuates institutional racism. Common examples revolve around black and white. For example, the media often depict the “bad guys” wearing black while the “good guys” wear white. Related to this would be the white knight being a hero rather the image of a knight wearing black armor coming to the rescue.
Another example is angel’s food cake compared to devil’s food cake. One resembles white and the other black.
There’s also the pervasive belief that evil and criminal activity come out at night.
How are these racist? Well, the argument is that black has been paired with all the bad things. On the other hand, white has been paired with good things. So, our language and tradition is teaching us that black people are bad, and white people are good. I think that is a foolish take.
You Know, Not Everything Is About Race, Right?
Black, night, and darkness are associated with evil, crime, “bad guys,” etc. for a couple of reasons. First, we can literally hide what we do in the dark better than in the day. It turns out a lack of light hides a lot of things we would like to keep secret. That’s not racism, it is the science of light.
Second, it is only natural to dress “bad guys” up in dark colors given the information I just shared. It isn’t a reference to skin color no matter how much some people want it to be.
Third, angel’s food cake is named as such because of its texture. It was referred to as the “food of the angels” because it is so airy and light. Is it silly? Yes. Suggesting white supremacy? No. Devil’s food cake has a less certain history in the name. Maybe this is the case because it is cake and people need to chill out… Anyway, some claim it got its name by looking and feeling like the opposite of angel’s food cake. Another popular suggestion is that it is filled with “sinful chocolate,” therefore, it is the devil’s cake. Either way, ya’ll, it’s just cake.
Dark And Light In Scripture
God, Himself, draws a distinction between light and dark. Biblically, darkness is equated with sin and being lost. While light is associated with truth, life, and the Lord. This, again, has zero to do with skin color. Scripture discusses a concern with out heart condition not our outward appearance. Here are just two of many verses discussing light and dark.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
Ephesians 5:8
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5
I took a pit stop in our discussion of CRT in schools to show you some examples of the lens through which many children are receiving their education. If we do not speak out against the blatant racism and lies of CRT, all of students will be subjected to it.
Is CRT Really In Schools?
Denial
“Schools aren’t even teaching CRT” is one of the biggest CRT lies people tell. For some, it is an outright lie while others believe it because they don’t see it in their schools. If you don’t, then prepare yourself because you will. Let’s look at the lie.
CRT is not taught in public schools in the most technical sense. It was developed in the 1970’s at Harvard Law School. CRT is meant to be taught at the collegiate level. Also, it is not a curriculum. There is no CRT third grade curriculum local elementary school teachers use throughout the year. It is a lens through which to see the world. Imagine looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, but instead they are shaded with bitterness, cynicism, racism, and a complete rejection of nuance and personal responsibility. That’s the CRT lens.
Most importantly, we need to acknowledge a significant aspect of CRT that is rarely discussed. CRT is an academic theory. A theory by definition is speculative and unproven. And unlike many theories, CRT cannot be tested in a lab. It is solely based on observation, human behavior, and assumed motives. CRT in schools, however, is taught like gospel truth…if it is being taught.
Most Definitely, CRT Is In Schools
The NEA: Teachers Union Support
I could fill this post with endless anecdotes from teachers, parents, and students, but I don’t need to. We have stronger evidence available than that. The National Education Association (NEA), a teachers union, has opted to accept the broadened definition of CRT. Although many argue it is a collegiate level academic theory for law school, the NEA has taken the stance that CRT in schools is necessary.
In the summer of 2021, the NEA adopted New Business Item 39 which, in essence, seeks to defend CRT in schools by using its resources to stop “attempts to ban critical race theory.” If you’re thinking that this might be in the best interest of the students, (or at least, maybe the NEA believes it is), then take a look at their “hot take” on education in 2019.
As you can see, the NEA voted down making “student learning the priority of the Association.” Then, pray tell, what exactly is the priority of the NEA? Politics? Money? Power? Yes.
Classroom Instruction
At least thirty school districts across fifteen states have teachers reporting that they teach the book, Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness.
Not My Idea is a children’s book with a heavy bias against white Americans in the guise of helping open the door to “tough” conversations. The book not so subtly implies that white parents don’t talk to their children about race issues, and they deny being racist while harboring deep-seated racism. My main problem has to do with the assumptions underlying the entire book. The author is teaching children to assume that most white people have the worst intentions in their actions. There is an inherent struggle presented between blacks and whites. And, clearly, white Americans are the villains.
“Racism is a white person’s problem and we are all caught up in it –“
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness (p. 23)
Does this sound like a profitable way to spend instructional time? Well, that’s CRT. Students get small doses of “being white is terrible” all day long.
So, yes, CRT is, in fact, in the public schools.
What Do Kids Learn With CRT In Schools?
Don’t let me mislead you. Students still learn the oldies but goodies such as math and reading (assuming the Common Core standards haven’t created too much mess in that area). However, throughout the day in any subject possible, the lens of CRT is pulled out to use while examining the topic.
Word problems in math might have a racial struggle as the subject. The books in reading may lean heavily toward racism in America or white people learning they’re just the worst. Bonus points for books that feature a minority character that has multiple levels of intersectionality. A book with a Hispanic transgender child with two dads would be beloved by any CRT enthusiast.
Of course, as I mentioned earlier, common terms get redefined, like racism. Redefining racism as an institutional problem rather than an individual issue allows the race-shaming to be more effective. Institutional racism can blame all white people for anything bad that happens to people of color because they have committed the unforgivable sin of being white. How so?
White Privilege Through The CRT Lens In Schools
Whiteness = The Embodiment Of Privilege
Well, I am a white woman from suburban Chicago. I went to high school in a nice area, and I was able to go to college. CRT would propose that I went to college because of my privilege from being white. My excellent grades, work ethic, and personal life decisions had little to do with it. Additionally, because I had the opportunities I did, I hurt black people by profiting from the racist institution of education.
Never mind that I come from a family that did not attend college. Ignore that my family, though not poor, was not even close to the financial comfort of my peers. Not to mention, I was a latchkey kid with no siblings, few friends, and little to no opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. My emotionally abusive and alcoholic mother and my dad’s abrupt departure from our family also probably had no impact on my life. Privilege. The picture of privilege.
Sorry, CRT, But Hard Work Is Rewarded
My life wasn’t some awful puddle of despair, OK? But I had my fair share of struggles. I had to loan out my education. (Bad plan. Don’t do it.) But my college education wasn’t handed to me because I’m from a low middle class white family. No institution was waiting for Julie to get a free or discounted degree. Truthfully, I could have been lost in the cracks, but I worked hard and focused.
Sure, I had privileges, too. But no people of color were harmed by my college career. How about instead of teaching our children to covet what others have and resent them for it, we teach them the skills they need to succeed in the world in which we live? How about we reward success and hard work?
The Real History According To CRT In Schools
“Who Will Teach The Kids About Slavery?”
The common claim is that we have whitewashed our history, making whites looks like saviors who did no wrong. States across the nation are writing legislation to ban CRT from public school classrooms, and CRT supporters are fighting this because they say the ban would not allow true history to be taught. Then, it’s always about slavery. “Who will teach the kids about slavery?!”
Personally, I remember learning about slavery in an age-appropriate way. By the time I was old enough, I understood the travesty that happened in our country. My kids are currently learning about it now, and I have a difficult time talking about the specifics without tears. However, I’m not special for this. I don’t know one person who doesn’t feel terrible that human beings (whatever color they may be) could be treated like less than an animal. Like cargo. I learned this in school. Was my school unique?
According to The Daily Wire, S.E. Cupp, a commentator in support of CRT, accidentally refuted her own point that CRT is needed in schools so students learn the truth about slavery. Cupp said she learned about slavery in school and understood it as a “scourge.” Hmmm. So, CRT isn’t adding anything new to the conversation on slavery, eh?
CRT In Schools Questions America’s Foundation
Not too fast. Thanks to Nikole Hannah-Jones and her 1619 Project, CRT and its proponents are claiming that the United States was really founded in 1619 through the slave trade. According Hannah-Jones and CRT, slavery is the foundation of our country. Not fleeing religious persecution. Not common principles based on godly ideals. It wasn’t to separate from an overbearing country that wanted to dictate every aspect of life and tax everything to death. (Woah. Déjà vu.) Not even simply the spirit of adventure and exploration. Slaves. White folk just wanted to get them some black slaves.
It’s exhausting to have this argument time and again. But just for the people in back… No. Slavery is not good. It never was, is not now, nor ever shall be something anyone anywhere should take part in or support. On the other hand, historical events have context.
America did not invent slaves. It didn’t even invent the slave trade. World history is littered with slavery. America shamefully jumped on board with slavery, but it was joining into a common and accepted practice. A practice, don’t forget, that America dumped with heavy loss of life and bloodshed. So much of what makes America is the outcome of the Civil War. We don’t do ourselves any favors to forget that.
History is messy and sometimes hard to swallow. Look to today, and appreciate the great strides our country has taken from slavery to Jim Crow to the Civil Rights Movement to a black president.
CRT aims to paint our nation in the worst possible light and create a generation who hates America and wants to dismantle it.
Don’t Be White
We’ve already addressed Not My Idea, a book that blatantly vilifies whites, but let’s think about the very foundation of CRT. It is based on the idea of victims and oppressors. Everyone can’t win. There must be a loser. As CRT teaches it, black Americans are the victims. So, don’t be an oppressor. Don’t be white.
Coca-Cola had a major gaffe recently with a diversity training that went viral. Participants were encouraged to be “less white.” According to the training, some ways one can accomplish this is by being less oppressive, less arrogant, less certain, and less ignorant. Admittedly, this was a diversity training in the corporate world, but this is the very heart of CRT. And it is what teachers are (or soon will be) conveying to students.
Why Is CRT In Schools?
Indoctrination With CRT In Schools
Sadly, a lot of adults, especially college educated white women, are falling for the CRT narrative. A lot of us aren’t though. We refuse to be pulled into manufactured race wars, but children are prime targets. Assuming a six and half hour school day and one hundred eighty school days in the academic calendar, students are in their schools 1,170 hours a year. This excludes any special events, tutoring, and extracurriculars. That sure is a lot of time to spend teaching our children whatever the school district wants.
The kids are how you change the nation. If you want to tear it down and create racial discord beyond what we’ve seen in years, then this is how you do it.
Political Agenda With CRT In Schools
The NEA and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), two of the largest and most powerful teachers unions, are heavily invested in the Democratic Party. The NEA and AFT donate to Democratic campaigns, and the Democrats support the demands of the NEA and AFT. We’ve seen it with the pandemic as our government made school closure and distance-learning decisions based on NEA and AFT demands rather than on the science.
The NEA and AFT certainly want CRT in schools, but I’m not sure why. Alternatively, I understand why the Democratic Party would want CRT. A society built on victimhood, entitlement, and “equality of outcome” benefits them. CRT can help them raise up some good little Leftists.
Final Thought
Slavery. Jim Crow. Redlining. These are all a part of our American history. We don’t look back at them with pride nor should we. We can learn from them and continue to teach about them as we have for years. And we can do that while we also embrace what is wonderful about the United States.
America is a place where we can work and prove ourselves. This is a country with opportunities for everyone. The opportunities may look different from person to person, but anyone can improve her life.
CRT would have our children believe that people of color cannot achieve without help and the downfall of white people who students are told stand in their way. CRT in schools is not meant to educate our children. It is meant to indoctrinate them and plants seeds of racism that can help upend the nation as we know it. We are witnessing an attempt of some to take over control of the country and make it into what they want. And they will take your children with them.
If you can, Christian, it is beyond time to leave the public schools. More and more parents have stepped out of a system that doesn’t respect you or your children. I’ve met so many women who thought they couldn’t do it, and now feel the freedom of being in control of what their children learn.
We are all made in the image of God, and we ought to fight against any teachings that propose some of us are born to be oppressors and others victims, all of us in constant conflict based on the color of our skin, as we struggle against one another for power. Teach your children, as Christians, what the Lord says about who we are.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28
Are your local school districts using CRT in the classrooms?
Image courtesy of Taylor Wilcox via Unsplash.
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