Opinion: Take it from a high schooler who's actually learned about CRT: Adults need to chill out

[happy feet]

Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/01/14/high-school-critical-race-theory-message-to-protesters/

...Don’t be fooled, though. The retaliation against CRT shows that parents have no idea what students are learning — and that their protests are less about education and more about a projection of their own biases and fears.

As one of the few high school students who have actually been taught CRT, I should know.

At my school, students are often permitted to participate in short workshops on current controversial topics. The one we did on CRT lasted 75 minutes. For students who wish to deepen their understanding of CRT, a semester-long elective — completely optional — is offered during senior year. Material on CRT is by no means replacing instruction in math, science or other core subjects in our curriculum.

When we discussed CRT in our short workshop, we were taught the basic premise of critical race theory — that the underlying cause of racism within our country is institutional oppression built into American government and law. This structural racism shows up in systems such as the electoral college, which allowed slaveholding states disproportionate representation, and the prison-industrial complex, which upholds forced labor to this day.

....

CRT isn’t at all what its opponents paint it to be. It’s simply being used as a straw man for those who aim to restrict speech and knowledge — and, in some cases, perpetuate bigoted ideologies.

The right to discuss and speak up against discrimination has been long fought for. So please, adults, if you’re listening: Don’t reverse centuries of progress in favor of promoting ignorance. If the goal of schools is to create a well-informed populace, then nuanced discussions of historical racism must be held in classrooms. It is the only way young people will learn to think critically about our country’s institutions, and the only way to create an inclusive America for future generations.

[Bettie]

1. Since few actually know what it is

they use the term Critical Race Theory to cause people to assume it is all about criticizing white people.

And that scares a lot of white people (those who tend toward authoritarian mindsets), especially in areas where they are seeing more diversity around them.

[mopinko]

2. dear msm- it's called a dog whistle. call it that.

[roamer65]

3. CRT is a truthful look at the European involvement in the Americas.

It’s not a pretty picture and the truth needs to be told.

Too bad our history classes didn’t tell the truth as well.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

14. It's not. It's a study of how systems in our society are designed to replicate racist outcomes.

[Marcuse]

4. If you don't like history or election math - just change it.

[paleotn]

5. Those in the rabble don't know, but those calling the tune....

do and understand it's a serous button to push to get white amurka to do their bidding. Conscientiously or unconsciously, America has a strong racist bent that can be exploited for the benefit of a few. That's as old as the republic itself.

Oh...and on edit. Hat's off to the high school student and the Berkeley Carroll School. Now THAT'S an education. Controversial subjects are not out of bounds. Teach them how to think! Even about things they may not want to think about. I only wish our public systems provided such a comprehensive education.

[2Gingersnaps]

9. Thank you!

Excellent points. Especially the high school student who wrote this.

The whole point is that people who fear becoming a minority and deeply fear being treated as they were OK with minorities being treated when they were the majority intentionally use the mis definition of CRT as a cudgel. And as we saw in Virginia, sadly, it works.

[wnylib]

13. Yes, America has a very strong

racist undercurrent that politicians and others can tap into.

The same was true in pre Nazi Germany, with its centuries long habit, along with the rest of Europe, of blaming Jews for problems. In the late 19th and very early 20th centuries, as Germany developed into a leading scientific and cultural nation, the anti-Semitism had subsided into the background. Many Jews were assimilated and actively involved in science, music, and other arts. But when there were serious problems at the end of WWI, the anti-Semitism resurfaced, inflamed by various politicians. We all know the consequences.

It can happen here. Haters are always ready to follow a hate-inspiring leader and America has a long, deeply rooted history of hatreds toward various groups, most often Jews, and African, Asian, and Native Americans, but not limited to them.

[KS Toronado]

6. I thought CRT was only taught at a few colleges.

[GB_RN]

7. As A Rule, Yes...

It’s really only taught at a few law schools around the country.

Sounds to me like what she’s getting is an introduction to what it is. Even that semester course wouldn’t cover it, since it’s based in law school and civil rights law.

[TheBlackAdder]

12. I also thought they were 400 level courses with a slew of prereqs.

[GB_RN]

16. My Understanding Is That CRT Isn't Even Undergrad Level

At least, not normally, and not as a fully taught course. A good explanation of CRT can be found on an here in an item from last June 18th, on Electoral-Vote.com.

[peppertree]

8. You're lucky. I went to high school in Mississippi.

Where the only critical race theory, was a fat bigot criticizing the idea that slaves were mistreated.

"A lot of them were like family!"

[2Gingersnaps]

11. Yeah, mine was rural Ohio.

The bullshit fantasy of "separate but equal." Which any grade school kid could see was not true. From the girl of Asian ancestry crying because someone for the umpteenth time asked her how she liked America (she was born here). To only three black families in our school district, when we had an AFB in the immediate area and six colleges nearby in the 70's, a very transient population, in a rural area, to the "black area" of the county seat.

[peppertree]

20. Interesting experience

Mine was somewhat more boring - and probably just as well (you know?).

Rural Ohio's beautiful, though. That always helps.

[milestogo]

15. CRT cathode ray tube

[thesquanderer]

17. I think she may have gotten this backwards...

the basic premise of critical race theory — that the underlying cause of racism within our country is institutional oppression built into American government and law

I would think that the systemic/institutional racism in the country is the result of racism, more than the cause of it.

[brooklynite]

18. ...and liberal intellectuals need to stop over-complicating things.

Don't come up with an Ivory Tower name for updating history curriculum. In fact, don't come up with a name at all. Just get people elected to School Boards and change the curriculum.

Strangely enough, "Critical Race Theory" sounds like it came out of college symposium. You'll never sell that to parents and local officials.

[FakeNoose]

19. Exactly right

I've posted this before: the real problem is the name "Critical Race Theory."

Don't call it that! Call it Love Your Neighbor Theory, or He's My Brother Theory.
Call it something ... anything ... that the Repukes can't object to without looking silly.