History is who we are and the way we are
David McCullogh
Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been in the US news lately and has become a dirty phrase with conservative Republicans. It has caused an explosion in the public arena, especially with respect to public education. Numerous state legislatures are seeking to ban teaching CRT in K-12 classrooms altogether.
What is Critical Race Theory and why does it make so many GOP lawmakers so nervous?
CRT is nothing new and has been around since the 1970s. It was first developed by legal scholars in influenced by the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. Its development emerged as a response to the fact our society and institutions have long been blind to racism, bigotry, and ethnocentrism. The central tenet of CRT states that racism is still very much alive in our culture, and has never been eradicated from our judicial system, our institutions, or our laws, but persists despite the efforts of civil rights activists of the 60s.
The events of the last year have increased public awareness about things like police reform, housing segregation, andthe impacts of criminal justice policy. The murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, the notion that Kyle Rittenhouse was “defending himself” form BLM protestors, the increased prominence of groups such as the Proud Boys, and the fact that at least a dozen groups who stormed the Capitol on January 6 are white supremacist groups are all proof positive that racism is still manifest in our nation.
The big issue with CRT is that there is a lack of consensus on the actual role of educators in teaching the truth about racism in our country. However, when we add school children into the mix, things get pretty hairy.
As of November 9, at least 28 states have introduced bills or have proposed legislation that would restrict the teaching of CRT, or limit the way in which teachers discuss racism, sexism, and bigotry. Twelve states have enacted these bans. For example, in June 2021, Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced a bill that would determine how teachers could address racism and sexism in D.C public schools. In Missouri, GOP Rep. Brian Seitz introduced HB 952, a bill that would ban the teaching of CRT and the use of certain curricula, including the 1619 project. The list goes on and on.
So why are conservatives attacking CRT?
Reports have found that opponents fear that CRT punishes all white people for being oppressors while classifying all African Americans, minority groups, and women people as oppressed victims. It is not the goal of CRT to attribute racism and bigotry to white people as individuals but states that U.S. social institutions (i.e. our criminal justice system, the labor market, the education system, the banking industry, the housing market, and our healthcare system) are infected with racism which is embedded in our laws, regulations, and rules.
However, it appears that many white Americans take this personally, and for some reason cannot separate their individual identity as Caucasian Americans from our social and legal institutions. Opponents seem to perceive themselves as the system itself, and in turn, they interpret the fact that if our social institutions are racist, then so are they.
Sorry conservatives, it’s “not all about you.”
The point of CRT is to acknowledge that racism, bigotry, and sexism do exist in our culture and permeate our social fabric and that we are not an equitable democracy. The only way to combat institutional racism is to teach the truth about it, and how it has shaped our society. Turning a blind eye and banning its teaching is not a solution, it’s just sweeping the ugly truth under the rug.
A Service Academy’s approach to CRT…
This is a letter from the Superintendent of the US Air Force Academy (Superintendent = Chancellor/President of a civilian university, say, like UNM):
A look at a service academy’s perspective on Critical Race Theory (CRT) — among other things…A letter the superintendent of the US Air Force Academy wrote to the alumni.
To the Long Blue Line:
Recently, your USAF Academy has become part of nationwide conversation on Critical Race Theory (CRT). I recognize there are voices and opinions from graduates on both sides of this topic. As Superintendent, I want to make our stance clear.
As a service academy, we are uniquely positioned as both a university and a critical component of the military. Even more unique is our top priority — to commission leaders of character as officers in the Air Force and Space Force. Our foundation is solidly anchored in the apolitical support and defense of our Constitution. We deeply respect our country and our commitment to defend it. The United States Armed Forces constitute the most powerful and lethal force in human history, and with this power comes great responsibility. We take this responsibility seriously.
In our pursuit of integrity, service, and excellence, we stand on the side of education. We teach to understand, not to indoctrinate. We teach how to think, not what to think. Part of higher education involves exposure to many ideas, philosophies and theories. As leaders and educators, our role is to enable and guide our cadets through the structure and rigor of a broad education — one that achieves our institutional outcomes and builds their capacity to both think critically and communicate clearly.
Our next generation of leaders are strong, inquisitive, and innovative. They need to be challenged and pushed to think deeply and boldly. They also need to develop the skill of of listening, even when the topic is something they may disagree with. Hence, we encourage our cadets to dissect assumptions, skillfully articulate views and thoughtfully express opinions. They must understand the value of differing perspectives and collaboration while promoting teamwork and mutual respect as the core of everything we do.
Rather than fostering a fear of tough conversations, we are developing and fine-tuning their ability to engage in professional discourse on controversial ideas, The weight of our nation’s lethal power will soon be on their shoulders. To bear that weight, they must be courageous, fair-minded, honest, and embody a warrior ethos.
As future leaders of a diverse force, as warfighters in an ambiguous environment, and as servants of this nation, such skills are not simply niceties — they are strategic imperatives. To succeed when the stakes are at their highest, our graduates must be able to lead across cultural differences both domestically and with international partners.
I am proud of our institution and confident in the next generation of leaders we are developing. Our graduates are a testament that the Long Blue Line has always inspired others, and our cadets today will continue to do so. Rest assured our prime directive will always be to instill in our cadets the desire to live honorably as leaders of character and be the warriors who will support and defend our Constitution now and in the future.
Very Respectfully,
Richard M. Clark, Lt General, USAF
21st USAF Academy Superintendent
Thank you Spike! Wonderful article. 🙂