I wanted to discuss about the importance of Critical Race theory being taught in school. Recently, Republican legislators in states around the country are targeting critical race theory, an academic idea regarding structural racism. At least six states have introduced legislation aimed at restricting the teaching of racism and inequality in American schools. Despite the fact that none of the bills specifically address critical race theory in their text, the legislators who are pushing them through have evoked the educational movement in their support for the legislation. The concept of critical race theory is being misinterpreted and used as a political tool, according to Kimberlé Crenshaw, a founding critical race theorist and Columbia Law School professor. She defined critical race theory as a field that aims to understand how racism has formed US laws and how those laws have continued to impact non-white people’s lives.
Critical race theory, according to academic specialists like Crenshaw, is not taught in K-12 education curricula. Critical race theory is an academic discipline that examines systematic and institutional racism. The government has discriminated against Black, Indigenous, and other people of color through discriminatory policies in housing, employment, criminal justice, education, and other areas. From the beginnings of slavery in America, to Jim Crow laws that divided Black people, to disproportionate criminalization and brutality against Black Americans, Crenshaw claims that racism and white supremacy have persisted in the United States through the legal system. Even though some discriminatory laws or regulations are no longer in place, she claims that they can have long-term consequences for families.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQKRYJnqIdM
The study also looks at the advantages that white people have in society, which is known as “white privilege.” This refers to the idea that due of their skin tone, white people are nevertheless insulated from the repercussions of systemic race-based discrimination. “Race is present in every part of our life,” Jane Bolgatz, associate dean for academic affairs at Fordham University Graduate School of Education, stated. “We won’t see the ways in which society pushes white people forward if we don’t talk about race. As a result, we fail to notice that these winds are not only propelling them forward, but also propelling people of color backward.”
This connects with our discussion about “other”. There are few people who are against critical race theory while others feel it is necessary. Often the reason is that if the theory is taught or not the one side of the group will also be treated as an other or as an oppressor. It might be difficult to discuss racism with youngsters and students. Conversations regarding racism, the history of prejudice in our country and state, both interpersonal and structural, and current protests will almost certainly be unique to each family, school, and community. There is no single “optimal” or “correct” way to discuss this essential topic with youngsters. At the same time, the evidence shows that we can and should begin teaching kindness, fairness, and human rights to children as early as kindergarten.
Citation:
ABC News Network. (n.d.). ABC News. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://abcnews.go.com/US/critical-race-theory-classroom-understanding-debate/story?id=77627465.
Silverman, D. T. (2021, July 13). Children and racism: The importance of age-appropriate listening and support . Indiana Youth Institute. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.iyi.org/children-and-racism-the-importance-of-age-appropriate-listening-and-support/.