Critical Race Theory Is Destroying Public Education
Critical race theory (CRT) ideology has been embedded into many public schools across the country. Many liberals will simultaneously argue that its harmless but it’s not implicitly taught in schools — so which is it? Is CRT a fantastic and innovative lens through which to view our nation, which should be passed on to children, or is it some obscure law school lesson plan that isn’t at all relevant?
The progressive’s dilemma is figuring out how to say CRT isn’t in our public schools while also claiming that it’s good that CRT is in our public schools — all in the same breath.
I recently sat down with fellow TPUSA Contributor Stephen Davis to watch and respond to a video regarding CRT posted by Revolt, a YouTube channel that focuses heavily on race. In the video, Jayson Aaron explains that CRT describes the “systematic inequality that exists within the institutions and laws that govern our country, that disproportionately affect black Americans.” He claims that “Critical rate theory is about understanding the numerous systematic imbalances that have kept so many citizens from moving forward at a pace of equality.”
Right off the bat, this ideology is already problematic. If his definition of CRT was implemented in a history or government lesson, it would effectively mean that students are taught that the laws in America do not afford equal opportunities to different races, which is simply untrue. Of course, this would be something casually added to a lesson, with little context or examples of how exactly America’s laws promote inequality simply because some were written by white legislators.
The Oxford definition of CRT is “a set of ideas holding that racial bias is inherent in many parts of western society, especially in its legal and social institutions, on the basis of their having been primarily designed for and implemented by white people.” The point missing from Aaron’s monologue is that the words “critical race theory” do not have to be explicitly mentioned for the concept to be included in the curriculum. CRT is a way of viewing the nation and other citizens of different races, not necessarily a lesson on law practices, as many leftist activists would have parents think.
Take Dr. Lidia Gonzalez’s article for example, as she explains how and why CRT should be included in mathematics lessons. “In reality, the teaching of mathematics is a political act and as such the application of critical race theory to the mathematics classroom is a necessary condition for the learning of mathematics,” she writes. “With respect to mathematics, embracing critical race theory in the classroom means centering the instruction students receive about the experiences of the diverse youth in our urban classrooms.”
The editor’s note which concludes the article states that “no one teaches Critical Race Theory in primary or secondary schools (although it would be fine if they did) because it is a legal theory.” This is not only a lie, but also an intentional misdirect for readers. The legal theory itself is not always what students are taught; however, throughout the article, the author provides numerous examples of how the ideology, which stems from CRT, can be implemented in something as seemingly far removed from politics as mathematics.
Additionally, there are numerous examples from around the country of schools either hosting events that center on CRT, contracting companies to provide CRT lesson plans, or utilizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training to foster racial discrimination.
Public schools have become glorified indoctrination camps, carefully designed to teach children what to think, rather than how to think. As Dr. Lidia Gonzalez writes, “The idea of education as a vehicle for liberation and social justice has been around for decades.” On that point, Dr. Gonzalez is entirely correct. It is a Marxist blueprint for cultural revolution, and the best way to draft more revolutionaries, is to teach them young 7-8 hours a day, 5 days a week, in publicly funded institutions.
Critical rate theory teaches black students to assume that they are the victim of societal and institutional oppression and white students that they are indirectly the oppressors. This is not only detrimental to childhood development but also creates racial animosity between previously colorblind children.
The rot runs deep, but there is a solution: parental involvement. Parents and caregivers need to abandon passive parenting methods and instead insist on seeing lesson plans given to students and be active participants in their children’s education.
