We asked Republicans to explain Critical Race Theory--but they couldn't

[Nevilledog]

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David Covucci
@DavidCovucci
Yesterday, @AlexThomas asked nearly a dozen GOP senators and representatives to explain Critical Race Theory.

They couldn’t.

We asked Republicans to explain Critical Race Theory—but they couldn'
Republicans can't stop talking about Critical Race Theory. But can they explain what it is in a sentence or two?
dailydot.com
6:22 AM · Jun 17, 2021

https://www.dailydot.com/debug/critical-race-theory-republicans/

This summer’s hottest boogeyman among Republicans is “Critical Race Theory.” It’s been name-checked over 1,300 times on Fox News in the past few months, per a Media Matters study. In Congress, Republicans have pushed bills to keep the theory out of the military and have made a lot of noise about the need to keep it out of schools. But when the Daily Dot asked Republicans for a definition of Critical Race Theory, they were less unified in their understanding of it. They were hardly even coherent in their understanding of it.

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) told the Daily Dot that Critical Race Theory is “different things to different people but the bottom line is that it is a distorted view of racism.” Asked how Critical Race Theory distorts racism, Brooks said, “by trying to turn it into a positive when it is a negative.”

Most Republicans were unwilling to even offer a definition, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) both refused to give any answers. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) of Florida told the Daily Dot, “there’s a lot of people that have a lot of different definitions.” Asked for the Senate Republicans’ definition of Critical Race Theory, Scott said, “I don’t think the Republican caucus has a definition.” In early June, Scott introduced a resolution on Critical Race Theory which defines the theory as “an academic concept based on the belief that racism is embedded in American society, highlighting the differences between Americans instead of the many commonalities that unite them.”

But when asked what the definition of Critical Race Theory might be in upcoming legislation from Republicans, Scott told the Daily Dot, “I’ll reveal when it comes.” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who signed onto Scott’s resolution, refused to answer when asked for her definition of Critical Race Theory.

*snip*

[kentuck]

1. I suspect Republicans aren't the only ones?

I doubt that more than 10% of the entire population could explain it.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. I I'm in that 90%. Every time I look into it I get more confused...

But I have no interest in stopping it.

[grumpyduck]

2. That's like a few years ago someone said that corporations

were dumping dihydrogen oxide into water supplies and some people went nuts.

Sounds nasty, doesn't it? I wonder how many Repubes would fall for this one today.

[Niagara]

16. +1

It was over a decade ago that my Repube voting grandmother sent me an email stating that we should ban Dihydrogen Monoxide. I went to research this ridiculous email that she sent me and found out that it was an April Fool's prank wanting to ban water.



https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/dangers-dihydrogen-monoxide/|



This is the same grandmother who sent me an email Calling HRC a Hildebeast and that she refused to meet with Goldstar Mothers. I replied that I couldn't find any news article confirming that allegation that she sent me and that she should research the propaganda slandering emails before hitting the send button. I don't think she was too happy with my reply but she was the one who took me to church every Sunday when I was a child. Her bible clearly states multiple times not to lie and not to slander other people.



My point is that the repube base will fall for anything someone tells or sends them.

[grumpyduck]

18. I've mentioned my long-time friend who happens to be a Republican

a few times over the past couple of years. We don't talk politics (he knows where I stand), but he sent me a bunch of forwarded emails, over a couple of years, asking my take on them. I spent a few minutes online on each and sent back a rebuttal with links to legitimate articles. He thanked me but didn't offer any arguments.

He hasn't sent me any for a few months now.

[Niagara]

19. For me, it takes a bit of patience to deal with the RW disinformation.

It's abundant and it never seems to stop. I've been debunking since President Obama announced his bid for presidency.


I don't go around talking politics or sending out political emails. For a long time I had to deal with other people starting the political talking points first; I was the one who shut it down. To this day, I don't give out my email address to family and friends because of it.



It sounds like you did an excellent job debunking the smears since your friend hasn't sent out any lately.

[LakeArenal]

3. Sounds about right. Repubs talking out of their uninformed asses.

[Solly Mack]

4. They aren't concerned about what CRT actually is - only in how they can sell a lie about what it is.

[ShazamIam]

5. Critical Race Theory for Republicans equals People of color must not be considered equal Citizens.

[bahboo]

7. that is a rogue's gallery of dumbass right there....

[SoonerPride]

8. "I don't know what it is but I am against it! 100% totally against it!!"

And they wonder why I call them stupid.

[keithbvadu2]

14. Our hero... Groucho

Groucho Marx - I'm Against It

[SoonerPride]

17. hahahaha that is perfection.

thank you very much for that

[chriscan64]

9. "I'm not racist"

"Just by chance, I happen to be against everything African Americans want, including this, whatever it is."

[Midnight Writer]

10. My neighbor can tell you exactly what it is.

He will tell you, with all sincerity, that it will indoctrinate children to hate their country, turn against their parents, and kill cops.

[uponit7771]

11. +1

[scarytomcat]

15. oh the rethug position

why do they hate our country? and want to destroy it?

[ananda]

12. Typical.

...

[keithbvadu2]

13. Many 'definitions' seem to wander around themselves.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Critical+Race+Theory

Many 'definitions' seem to wander around themselves.
-------------------------------

This one actually says something.

It's loose enough that any discussion of race or slavery could lead into "Critical Race Theory".

(It seems to be lacking a religious aspect.)

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05

Just what is critical race theory anyway?

Critical race theory is an academic concept that is more than 40 years old. The core idea is that racism is a social construct, and that it is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies.