Navigating Misinformation About Critical Race Theory

First, let’s establish that Critical Race Theory (CRT) does not propose we should hate white people, or that we should evaluate people based on the color of their skin. It’s not about individuals. It’s about the systems that have emerged throughout our nation’s history and the impact they have on the present.

CRT is graduate-level legal theory based on decades of research that focuses on the role race has played in shaping attitudes and institutions as well as how our society has enforced laws to result in systems of denial. In K-12 schools, CRT can educate teachers so that they can have productive conversations with students about race and its role throughout history.

Both social media and mainstream cable have done a poor job of truthfully representing CRT which has led to well-organized campaigns to stop any conversation about race in schools. So that even if a teacher approaches the topic of racism with an age-appropriate perspective, they run the risk of setting off a fire storm with parents and guardians.

The sad truth is that the misperception about CRT has moved us backward. It’s a fake controversy that creates a barrier to the balanced recount of history and actually strengthens the systems of denial. In fact, the misunderstanding has already led to counterproductive legislation in several states to ban discussions on race in schools. The reality is that not speaking or teaching about racial inequality isn’t going to make it go away. And, despite what legislators and school boards believe, the absence of discussion on the topic is not a neutral stance.

Silence on this topic speaks volumes to children who simply want to learn the truth. Additionally, young minds need to experience multiple perspectives and points of view in order to develop their critical thinking skills. Because we’ve become so intolerant of differing opinions, we are also preventing our children from discovering the importance of engaging with others despite their differences.

Effective discussions about race need to be learned and practiced by educators. It’s why “Responding to Anti-CRT Propaganda” was created. This workshop is specifically designed for those who understand the need to speak about race in schools but often feel unsure about how to respond to community members who question or resist curriculum and programming about it. Seasoned facilitators, Elizabeth Denevi, PhD. and Jenna Chandler-Ward of East Ed’s Teaching While White project, offer a unique space for administrators and teachers to think about their own racial identity and how they experience race. This workshop gives participants the opportunity to develop common language within a setting that encourages honest discussion about how to anticipate the tough questions about CRT and have talking points ready.

If we are to move closer to racial justice, there needs to be widespread awareness about how our historic systems have impacted people of color. This workshop provides materials to help diagnose what is actually going on and how to best address the resistance. You can learn more about and register for the next offering of “Responding to Anti-CRT Propaganda” at https://www.easted.org/events-conferences/responding-to-anti-crt-propaganda.