You’ve probably heard of it by now from social media, your local school district or political leaders, but not many people know just what critical race theory is.
If that’s you, here are some insights into the background of the theory and why the concept is becoming so widely discussed in society today:
What is critical race theory?
Simply put, critical race theory (sometimes referred to as CRT) is a framework in education that helps everyday people understand race and racism on an institutional and structural level.
Dorinda Carter-Andrews is a professor of race, culture and equity in the Department of Education at Michigan State University. She has experience studying issues of racial equity and justice, primarily in K-12 schools.
Carter-Andrews explains critical race theory as more than just a historical analysis of subjects like slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.
“It’s different from what teachers are currently doing in the classroom in that they are discussing throughout the curriculum race, racism and other forms of discrimination,” Carter-Andrews said.
Critical race theory is most often taught in colleges and universities. It’s not currently being taught in K-12 schools anywhere in Michigan or the country.
The goal of critical race theory is to look at and understand how racism affects all institutions of society such as the justice system and healthcare.
“Educators are beginning to talk to young people about how racism and other forms of bias impact people in their everyday lives,” Carter-Andrews said. “Kids have not typically learned that through school curriculum.”
Where did the theory come from?
Critical race theory first emerged in the 1970s in the field of law. It was brought into the field of education in 1995 by educators Gloria Ladson-Billings and William F. Tate IV in the scholarly article “Toward a Critical Race Theory of Education.”
In the article, Ladson-Billings and Tate assert that “despite the salience of race in U.S. society, as a topic of scholarly inquiry, it remains untheorized.”
While being in the education field for 30 years, critical race theory has primarily stayed in college and university discussions and is still not a widely known theory.
Carter-Andrews said that even most teachers didn’t learn the theory in their teacher preparation program.
“If they studied it while they were in college, it might inform the way they teach, but they’re not teaching the theory to students,” Carter-Andrews said.
The discussion around incorporating the theory into K-12 schools has resurfaced with the rise of activism and social justice movements in recent years, which is why it has quickly become a hot button topic from people on both sides of the issue.
“When there is a threat to the prolonged and deeply entrenched narrative about America as this place where people can be upwardly mobile and can live the American dream,” Carter-Andrews said. “It’s not to say that is not a narrative, but it’s not the only narrative.”
Why is there so much controversy surrounding critical race theory?
There is an assumption that critical race theory, by pointing out systems of oppression, will make one racial group or dominant group the “enemy” and everyone else the “victim.”
This has created a fear that the theory could cause more harm than good by creating a divided society if taught. Carter-Andrews says that is not true.
“Discussions about racism and other forms of oppression are not meant to identify a group of people as a bully,” Carter-Andrews said.
“These discussions are meant to identify systems as oppressive and help us as people understand how we play a part in upholding those systems. Racist people play a part in upholding racism, and they have done that historically in the United States and they continue to do that. But the outcome is not to blame individuals, it’s to dismantle the system of racial oppression. And that means those who have historically and currently had decision making power are probably going to feel targeted.”
Juneteenth recently being passed as a federal holiday has also been brought up when discussing critical race theory.
Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved Africans learned they were free on June 19, 1865, years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Critical race theory will give students the tools to analyze why it took so long for the remaining slaves to be freed.
Celebrating a holiday meant for black liberation while this theory is still unable to be taught in classrooms is iron, Carter-Andrews said.
“That in and of itself, I think, demonstrates the ways of which America is not fully committed to people of color,” Carter-Andrews said.
What are politicians role in education?
State politicians are responsible for educational policy and dispersing funds to Michigan’s many public school districts every fiscal year.
Although critical race theory isn’t currently being taught in K-12 schools, politicians have already made moves to prevent it, using the state’s education budget to do so.
A group of Republicans in the Michigan Senate introduced a bill in May to ban critical race theory in school curriculums beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.
Senate Bill No. 460 calls the theory “anti-American” and “racist.” According to the bill, if a school is found to be teaching critical race theory, five percent of the total funds due to the school district or school will be withheld.
One of the senators who introduced the bill, Senator Lana Theis, R-Brighton, said critical race theory is an intentional misrepresentation of America’s history.
“We should not ignore the past sins of our nation, especially things as abhorrent as slavery and Jim Crow, nor should we allow the history we teach our children to be distorted and politicized by an ideological and historically inaccurate agenda,” Theis said in a May press release.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Career Readiness.
Carter-Andrews believes there’s a danger when politicians, who are far removed from what teachers and administrators deal with in classrooms on a daily basis, incite discourse.
“It’s a form of gaslighting to try to pass laws to prevent teachers from having any discussion about justice,” Carter-Andrews said.
Will I be seeing it in my children’s schools?
Spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Education, William Disessa, said “local school districts develop and adopt the curricula they use in their schools.”
In Northern Michigan, Traverse City Area Public School’s school board recently dealt with a tumult of outrage when it introduced a resolution condemning racism and discrimination and affirming inclusivity.
Many people who spoke in opposition referred to the resolution as critical race theory or said they feared it was a step toward teaching the concept.
More: Michigan school resolution against racism sparks community backlash
There is still a long path to go before bringing critical race theory into primary and secondary school. Carter-Andrews believes the theory is needed.
“Those who are in the mindset that our democracy is stronger, it’s better when people are more critically conscious have to continue to fight for young people to have access to the resources they need to raise their consciousness,” Carter-Andrews said.
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