There is a lot of discussion these days about limiting “critical race theory” in public schools. This movement is at best uninformed and is often a manifestation of racism in itself. First of all, “critical race theory” is generally considered to be a form of legal scholarship typically targeted at law students or advanced undergrads – so anything along similar lines being taught at the high school level is likely a bit watered down.
But the broader issue is that the term “critical race theory” is being used as a buzzword to basically refer to education about the horrors of slavery and America’s treatment of racial minorities (particularly black people) throughout history. This movement is being used to motivate parents who want parental choice and the ability to “protect their kids” to oppose curricula that teach high school kids about some of the uglier truths of slavery and the uglier truths about systemic, institutionalized racism that persisted throughout American history.
First let’s dispell some myths. Critical race theory does not make judgments against current white people for the sins of the past or try to claim that white people are inherently bad, evil, racist, etc.. That claim is a flat out lie. Nor does critical race theory try to claim that the struggles of white people are not real or that white people who are successful are inherently bad. Nor does critical race theory try to absolve all people of color of all crimes or wrongs they have committed. Critical race theory makes an argument that our society functions the way it does because of the legacies of slavery, colonialism and structural prejudice. The central points are about systems of injustice and about understanding how different groups have tended to benefit, while others tended to suffer. The central points are also about the systemic creation of prejudicial narratives and practices that reinforce injustice and “othering”. While the key messages of this movement are depressing, they are important and empowering in the sense that it is critically important to confront the whole truth.
When a child or young adult is exposed to challenging truths, a measure of innocence and naivete may be lost. But such exposure may also help that child to mature and gain wisdom and empathy. Racial minority children can benefit from learning about the horrors of slavery and prejudice by seeing the more accurate and honest story and narrative of their ancestors told (instead of being taught a “sanitized” version of history written primarily by white, protestant men). White children can also benefit from learning about the horrors of slavery and prejudice by gaining an empathetic, justice-oriented view of history and by being challenged to imagine their concept of justice if they themselves were in a disadvantaged, subordinate position. They can be inspired by the abolitionists and civil rights activists (both of color and white). A more refined and honest view of history can lead children of all backgrounds to grow into more compassionate, emotionally wise, humbler and harder working adults. Sheltering children from painful truths or distorting their understanding of history weakens and undermines the next generation, rather than empowering it.
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