Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a framework of examining how race and racism influence legal and cultural institutions in society. CRT began as a theoretical movement in US law schools in the 1980s and has since been applied across many realms including legal policy, education policy, and diversity and race-conscious training. On September 4, 2020 the Donald Trump Administration stopped all federal anti-bias trainings that rely on CRT because CRT was deemed racist, anti-American propaganda. How should CRT be applied today, if at all?
We should reject Critical Race Theory
Critical Race Theory inspires more problems than it solves. CRT is a racist way of thinking. It is a threat to constructive, rational dialogue. Institutions should reject any policies or anti-bias trainings that rely on CRT.
Critical Race Theory is anti-American propaganda
Critical Race Theory is an ideology that promotes hatred of America's founding principles of hard work, individualism, and equality. CRT has gone too far in indoctrinating Americans that the US is a racist country.
Critical Race Theory relies too much on narrative, not objectivity
Critical Race Theory relies on people's stories and subjective experiences over objective inquiry. CRT relies on a single narrative--that racism is systemic and white people are in power--and rejects any ideas that may go against that defining narrative.
Critical Race Theoriests view race as the defining factor of people and societies. Proponents of CRT automatically view every non-White person as oppressed and every White person as the oppressor--regardless of a person's circumstances.
We should use Critical Race Theory to improve society
Critical Race Theory brings attention to how race influences all of society, and everyone can use CRT to become anti-racist. We need CRT to encourage our societies to be more just and inclusive of all people.
Critical Race Theory gives the tools to make society inclusive
Critical Race Theory identifies that racism is systemic. By naming the problem, proponents of CRT can accurately change legal policy, education practices, financial and housing policy to be inclusive of all people.
BIPOC will always be marginalized if we do not acknowledge that they are marginalized because of their race. Critical Race Theory identifies that BIPOC are disadvantaged, and we should use that knowledge to intentionally celebrate the voices who were silenced before.
