Critical race theory has become quite a conversation topic around the country. Currently, there are efforts in 20 states to ban teachers from discussing issues like racism, sexism, and gender equality in the classroom, and Kentucky is one of the latest ones.
But what is critical race theory, anyway?
As EdWeek puts it, critical race theory (or CRT) is an academic concept that characterizes racism as a social construct rather than the product of individual bias or discrimination. It originally arose from legal studies, but has now expanded to other fields like politics, social sciences, and yes, education.
But critics say that the efforts to ban such discussions in classrooms extends beyond the scope of CRT. In Kentucky, for example, some of the ideas and concepts that teachers would be forbidden from promoting include:
- One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex
- An individual, by virtue or his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously
- An individual’s moral character is determined by his or her race or sex
- An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex
- The Commonwealth of the United States is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist
You can read more about the CRT debate in Kentucky here. What are your thoughts?