Understanding the Controversy within Critical Race Theory
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is one of the major theories which have been connected to different controversies over the past two decades. Its controversies has grown in the last five years, generating different debates within internet and academic platforms. As presented by Delgado & Stefancic, (2017) CRT points out that racism is not merely a matter of individual prejudice but is systemic and embedded in institutions and policies. The debate over CRT comes from the disagreements on its meaning and its use especially in the educational field. Supporters say that CRT is necessary in order to fully grasp and remedy racial inequalities, and opponents claim that it fosters separation and discriminates against particular groups by portraying them in a bad light (Ray & Gibbons, 2021).
CRT came out of critical legal studies in the 70s where legal scholars looked at how the law reinforces racial inequalities. But the controversy today really took off in 2020 after the racial justice protests, and the push to include more diverse curriculum in schools (George, 2021). This controversy heated up when the trump administration signed an executive order in september of 2020 prohibiting federal agencies and contractors from engaging in certain types of diversity trainings, which the order deemed “divisive” and “un-American” (Exec. Order No. 13950, 2020). This executive order (although later retracted) put CRT on the national radar and caused quite the controversy across party lines.
All sorts of persuasion methods and propaganda have been used to promote and oppose CRT. Supporters claim it is an analytic tool to comprehend systemic racism, and critics claim it is divisive indoctrination. Social proof has been utilized by some politicians and media personalities by implying that not supporting CRT is what all the “cool kids” do (Strauss, 2021). Many complex concepts get condensed into little, nice, convenient phrases such as “teaching kids to hate America” or “anti-racist education” (Kingkade et al., 2021).
The whole debate over CRT is still pretty much unresolved and is argued in all sorts of forums. There is no general consensus of the public as a whole on either side, but at least controversy has led to some action. A lot of states have already passed laws that restrict, even forbid, the teaching of CRT or any other constructs of the like in public schools (Stout & Wilburn, 2022). Controversy has even led some school districts to alter their curriculums or professional development programs (Camera, 2021). This controversy has sparked many bigger discussions on race, education, and the history of America. However, there are still scholars writing, and theorizing about CRT, its applications and implications for society.
Well, that debate continues, however, there is an increasing awareness of the necessity for more complicated dialogue about race and its place in America today. But well, who can agree on how to fix these kind of problems in field of education and policy. But since we’re all digital media consumers, it’s important to be critical about this matter, to look at both sides and the others in the middle, and also to check the sources for their credibility. So maybe we can all get a better idea of the controversy behind the CRT and why or why not it should be used in our world.
References
Camera, L. (2021). States Are Pushing Critical Race Theory Legislation. Here’s What to Know. U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-are-people-so-upset-about-it
Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2017). Critical race theory: An introduction (3rd ed.). NYU Press.
George, J. (2021). A Lesson on Critical Race Theory. American Bar Association. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/civil-rights-reimagining-policing/a-lesson-on-critical-race-theory/
Kingkade, T., Zadrozny, B., & Collins, B. (2021). Critical race theory battle invades school boards — with help from conservative groups. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/critical-race-theory-invades-school-boards-help-conservative-groups-n1270794
Ray, R., & Gibbons, A. (2021). Why are states banning critical race theory? Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-are-states-banning-critical-race-theory/
Stout, C., & Wilburn, T. (2022). CRT Map: Efforts to restrict teaching racism and bias have multiplied across the U.S. Chalkbeat. https://www.chalkbeat.org/22525983/map-critical-race-theory-legislation-teaching-racism/
Exec. Order No. 13950, 85 Fed. Reg. 60683 (Sept. 22, 2020).
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