Gov. Ricketts says he is 'opposed to critical race theory'

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Sara Gentzler

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts this week said he is “opposed to critical race theory,” voicing an increasingly common opinion among Republican politicians.

The governor was asked about the concept Monday on his monthly call-in radio program, during which he didn’t explicitly call for legislation related to the theory and public schools but encouraged parents to get engaged.

But an associate professor of history and ethnic studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said the definitions the governor offered on the air reflect a lack of understanding of the theory and literature on it.

At the foundation of critical race theory is that race is a social construct used to oppress and exploit people of color, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

Read more: https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/gov-ricketts-says-he-is-opposed-to-critical-race-theory/article_75734a0e-cdfe-11eb-8164-0764e9d9a0db.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

[kimbutgar]

1. My question, Governor Ricketts "please define the term critical race theory?"

Every repuikkklans that uses that term should immediately be asked that question for their definition.

[grumpyduck]

2. They don't have a fucking clue what it is.

But it sounds good, so they use the term as a talking point, knowing their equally ignorant followers will swallow it.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. RepubliQons are so arrogant they can't accept any criticism of any kind of their privileges

... and no criticism of their racist sexist fascist practices and policies.

[Lonestarblue]

8. All they have to say is that it is critical that of white people.

Their voters won’t know the definition and won’t care because Republicans will just keep treating it life some new theory the BLM leaders thought up. Anything to create division.

[Grins]

4. Are people this stupid? "What we have here, is failure to communicate."

This:

“…(a U of Neb) professor…said the definitions the governor offered on the air reflect a lack of understanding of the theory…”

…is weasel-wording. That Governor very well knows what he is doing and why he is doing it. And doesn’t care! He’s a Republican!!!

He should have screamed that the Gov. is a clueless IDIOT and perhaps BIGOT, who doesn’t know what the eff he is talking about! An effing “lack of understanding”? Jesus on meth, who will save us?

Gingrich gave classes and the words to use to the Reich when talking about Democrats more than 30-years ago and they worked. They still do. We see them every damn day.

After all this time, are Democrats this clueless on the day-to-day tactics needed to fight this?

[Ray Bruns]

11. Are people this stupid?

Yes.

[paleotn]

19. Most definitely.

[Mike Nelson]

5. He needs an education!

... Gov Ricketts must mean he's opposed to teaching... he can't be opposed to theory. So, he's wants to take Native Americans (aka "Indians&quot and Slavery out of US history? He sounds like a Cancel Culture dummy!

[no_hypocrisy]

6. How can you teach history, sociology, anthropology, literature, etc., WITHOUT

Critical Race Theory?

Without it, it's like making Kool Aid without water.

[Maxheader]

7. Worthless bastard...

They know! they know how bad a light it would cast on them.

From the 1st slave ship to legislative obstruction of voting rights.

And the gop is continuing tearing down democracy 😢

[RobinA]

9. In My Limited Experience

they should be embracing CRT. I had a version of CRT as it made its way into a diversity textbook in grad school (I'm sure it was a far cry from some "pure" version, but this is how it appeared in reality). It was incredibly divisive. If I'm a Repub and trying to seed division, CRT would be my go-to.

[DallasNE]

10. From Wikipedia

"Critical race theory is loosely unified by two common themes: first, that white supremacy, with its societal or structural racism, exists and maintains power through the law;[6] and second, that transforming the relationship between law and racial power, and also achieving racial emancipation and anti-subordination more broadly, is possible.[7]

Opponents of critical race theory argue that it relies on social constructionist, elevates storytelling over evidence and reason, rejects the concepts of truth and merit, and opposes liberalism.[8][9][10]"

Ricketts doesn't seem to think there is structural racism in America. When you get the premise incorrect then everything that follows will also be incorrect. Yes, storytelling is part of the evidence. It is another example where right wing politics denies science. Trump went so far as to call it un-american. How can a scientific theory be un-american?

[Mosby]

13. It's not a theory, or a hypothesis, it was developed by lawyers

Its a type of legal advocacy, with roots in Marxism and postmodernism.

CRT in practice supports the 14th amendment over the 1st amendment, jury nullification based on race, reparations for past, present and future discrimination.

CRT rejects the liberal legal order the country is founded on.

It's a trap for liberals, and it seems to be working.

[DallasNE]

17. I Did Not Read The Whole Lengthy Wikipedia Article

But I came away with a clear impression that it is a theory because it is not something that is proven. The anecdotal evidence clearly supports white supremacy with enforcement of law in a manner that keeps white supremacy in place. Yes, I saw that it rejects the liberal legal order and as such I would think it would by extension reject Marxism as well.

Indeed, I was surprised by how little the article went into the framing in play recently where it only deals with what our children are taught in history books about the history in this country of white supremacy. This is what I see as the trap for liberals. Support for one part implies full support for the whole theory. I don;t know enough about it to give it my full support though I will continue to advocate for the history books to cover the full history of America in a truthful manner. That would certainly include Tulsa 1921, Wounded knee, etc.

[jcmaine72]

12. I'm opposed to CRT as well

Cretinous RepubliCON Twits.

I can't stand them.

[ancianita]

14. Just proof that he doesn't even understand it.

[Martin68]

15. It really is odd to "oppose" a theory. You can disagree with it's assumptions and conclusions, but

what does it mean to "oppose" a theory? I guess that's the only way conservatives know how to handle unpleasant truths: oppose them.

[Dem_in_Nebr.]

16. My response

I'm opposed to "Prick-etts".

[Paladin]

18. Nothing will spread CRT faster than assholes being publicly opposed to it. (nt)