News and You: Critical Race Theory

March 31, 2022

Critical race theory has been grabbing the headlines recently. Many state lawmakers want to ban it. Right wing news wants you to fear it. And all of this time, nobody knows what it actually is. Today, I will explain critical race theory, and tell you the truth about it, and how it affects you.

What is Critical Race Theory?

Critical race theory is a legal study that seeks to learn more about how race and law interact and cause minorities in the United States trouble. This academic theory examines laws and analyzes how different forms of discrimination, such as sexism and racism, interact and come together. Analyzing how history and racial bias impact the law is a major tenet of this system of analysis. It is only taught at law schools due to its complex nature. For the record, it is not taught at any K-12 school in America, including any Blackhawk school.

Why Is It Making Headlines?

In 2020, Donald Trump mentioned critical race theory as a theme for his campaign, opposing efforts such as the 1619 Project. He and his allies claimed that it was brainwashing American kids to hate their country and compared it to propaganda and declaring it racist. After the 2020 election, many Republicans in state legislatures moved to ban the teaching of what they believe is critical race theory. These bans can cover discussions of bias, whether it be unconscious or conscious, white privilege, oppression, or discrimination in the United States.

Why Do People Want to Ban It?

In summary, they argue that it is, according to The Guardian, "anti-American, anti-capitalist, and anti-white." In more detail, opponents that this education indoctrinates children to hate American and its institutions, is "reverse racism" toward whites, and motivates anti-capitalism. They believe that this education indoctrinates students to think a certain way. As an alternative, supporters propose "patriotic education", where students are taught to love America. However, these assertions are heavily refuted by experts and defenders.

What Do Defenders Say?

They say that "patriotic education" as proposed by the Trump administration gives a slanted view of history. Georgetown history professor Michael Kazin stated that the "patriotic education" plans "ignores most social movements" and gives "the silent treatment to the Black struggle for freedom." They also say that the efforts are not censoring the real Critical Race Theory, but topics that are important to discuss in schools, such as bias and discrimination in the United States, and these bills amount to censorship.

How Does It Affect You?

For those who go to Blackhawk, it doesn't affect them that much, as a state law has not been passed and a school policy has not been established against it. However, with concerns growing at the local and state elections coming up, things could change. Stay on the lookout for attempts to pass these laws and policies and be willing to take action.