GeneralWhy Are States In the US Banning Critical Race...

Why Are States In the US Banning Critical Race Theory

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a hot-button issue in both the USA and U.K. classrooms. Many educational institutions across both countries are starting to ban schools from teaching critical race theory altogether. A total of 23 states in the U.S. have either restricted or proposed legislation restricting the subject being taught. The U.K. Parliament spoke out against teaching CRT in schools and even went as far as stating any teachers who teach this subject are in breach of the law. While there is extreme pushback against teaching CRT in schools, much of it is grounded in a misunderstanding of what critical race theory is.

What is Critical Race Theory?

Illustration from M. Scott Byers on critical race theory

Critics often believe that it targets white people in a very negative way. However, that is not the case at all. Simply put, CRT is the loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise race is a social construct used to oppress and exploit people of colour. Critical race theorists hold the belief that the legal institutions and laws in western countries are ultimately racist. CRT states social institutions (I.e., the criminal justice system, education system, labour market, housing market, and healthcare system) are embedded with racism in their laws, regulation, rules, and procedures. These laws maintain the social, economic, and political inequalities between white people and people of colour, especially Black Americans, as they uphold white privilege and thus must be dismantled and revised to promote equality.

Why All The Opposition?

Gov. Ron DeSantis hopes to restrict critical race theory calling it “toxic”.

States such as Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Iowa, and New Hampshire have passed legislation that bans teaching CRT. The majority of the legislations restrict the discussion, training, and orientation that the U.S. is racist and any discussions about conscious and unconscious bias, privilege, oppression, and discrimination. The ban can extend to other areas such as gender and sexuality as well. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has spoken out against critical race theory stating CRT teaches children that the country is rotten and the nation’s institutions are illegitimate. He further believes that this theory is toxic and would have a negative influence on children. Other advocates for the CRT bans state critical race theory can become divisive and can be demoralizing for white children.

The Real Issue With the Ban is Racism

Baning CRT in schools creates a lack of knowledge for young people all over the country

States banning critical race theory because of its harsh rhetoric is not the issue. No, what they are afraid of is the truth. Critical race theory calls out institutions for what they are: racist—picking and choosing how the law can work for one group of people while oppressing another. The same intuitions that held people of colour down, especially Black Americans and Brits centuries ago, hold down people of colour today. It is not okay to halfway tell a country’s complete history. Racism is more than just slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.

If the government takes away CRT, it does a disservice to the education in these countries and aids the blatant racism already there. Talking about racism does not promote racism. It is essential, to be honest about the past of one’s country to progress and make a change for the future. Taking away CRT does not just affect the discussion of racism, but it will go further to ban debates on gender inequality, sex, and LGBTQ+ identity. A teacher should not be fined 5,000 plus dollars for teaching about racism, gender, and sexual inequality, especially when those issues played a pinnacle role in the history of the U.S. and U.K. Regardless of how one may feel about the ban, CRT forces teachers to have honest discussions on historical content that affected both countries equally and still affect the social construct today.

CheVaughn Starling
CheVaughn Starling
CheVaughn Starling is a politics contributor on scribe. Hailing all the way from the United States. Born in the Chicagoland area, Illinois (USA), and moved to Springfield, IL in 2011 to embark her new journey in life: college. She completed her undergrad and graduate degree at the University of Illinois Springfield in Political Science and Legal Studies with an emphasis on Public Policy. Her love for politics and history led her to aspire a career as a political analyst. Her specialty is in US politics and analyzing different policies from both sides of view. She hopes one day to complete her JD and PHD so she can help implement policy and change in the US.

Latest news

Will the Ceasefire in Israel-Gaza last?: What We Know So Far

52 days since Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people, the hostage deal between...

Far-Right win big in Dutch General Election

On Thursday 23rd November, the Netherlands woke up to far-right populist candidate, Geert Wilders and his PVV party taking what...

Do Politicians deserve a second chance?

PM Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle has raised some eyebrows, not least for the sacking of controversial home secretary Suella...

Was Braverman right about the police?

The Metropolitan Police have been called into question over how they policed both of last Saturday's protests in London. There...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

This is why we need to cancel ‘cancel culture’

Universities in America are at a crossroads. In the shadow of the Israel-Hamas conflict, they’re faced with pressure from...

Dave-jà vu as former PM Cameron returns to government

The infamous former PM has not held ministerial office since being forced to resign in the wake of defeat...

Must read

Will the Ceasefire in Israel-Gaza last?: What We Know So Far

52 days since Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack on...

Dave-jà vu as former PM Cameron returns to government

The infamous former PM has not held ministerial office...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you