Page 1 of 6
Critical Race Theory
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 12:00 pm
by Tiredretiredlawyer
I didn't know I didn't know.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/5 ... ust-answer
Marc Lamont Hill cut the mic on a Republican, then demolished efforts to ban critical race theory
Republican lawmakers across the country are pushing to ban critical race theory from schools in a giant effort to create a culture war and distract from the fact that what they really want to ban is any teaching about race and racism in the U.S. since the early 1960s. There’s one key question all of these Republicans need to be asked, and Marc Lamont Hill got one of them on his show Black News Tonight and asked it.
The question? “What is critical race theory?”
Hill posed that question to Vernon Jones, a Democrat turned Trump Republican currently running for Georgia governor who has vowed to ban critical race theory, and—as would probably be the case with a minimum 98% of the Republicans vowing to ban critical race theory in schools—Jones had not a clue. He started talking about Christopher Columbus and people who use “their own ideology and their own party affiliation to go to the extreme.”
Hill pressed, because that isn’t a definition of critical race theory.
“And you’re not going to come on my show and call me dumb,” he concluded. “What I will tell you is that critical race theory is a theory that actually emerged out of critical legal studies. It is a theory that makes an attempt to understand the law through the lens of race and it’s founded on some fundamental presumptions. One is the intractability of race and racism, meaning it’s an intractable problem in America and that we have to use the lens of race to make sense of things. It also is based on the use of counterstories, listening to the, as Derrick Bell, the critical race scholar, said, the voices at the bottom of the well, to make sense of the world and to make sense of the law. These are two big theories, two big pillars of it. And so what we want to do is, if you want to ban it, you have to explain to me why.”
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 12:17 pm
by neonzx
"Critical Race Theory"
I've been trying to understand it -- they make it complicated but it sounds like mostly racists trying find a means to justify continuing to be racist. Am I missing something?
ETA: Hillsdale College (you know, the far right school that pushes right-wing bs) just last month had "Critical Race Theory" as their editorial in their monthly print publication. (don't worry, it's free and I'm making them spend money). Even then, after a lengthy, scholarly editorial, I didn't know WTF they were talking about.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 12:24 pm
by Phoenix520
As I understand it, it’s the attempt to understand exactly how race and racism are woven throughout our culture, history, and laws, and just how inherently unfair that is, so that even dumb white folks can no longer deny its existence.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Tue May 11, 2021 12:30 pm
by bob
neonzx wrote: ↑Tue May 11, 2021 12:17 pmI've been trying to understand it -- they make it complicated but it sounds like mostly racists trying find a means to justify continuing to be racist. Am I missing something?
What critical race theory actually is and how its detractors describe it are very different.
At its most basic level, critical race theory examines (with, as the name suggests, the eye of a critic) how the laws (and political institutions) in the United States have been and continue to be influenced by race and racism.
There are serious detractors who have reasonable criticisms about its criticisms. But what we're seeing now are the unserious detractors just reairing their grievances about political correctness, wokeness, etc. New skirmish in the culture war.
(And please note the irony of the lawmakers trying to make it illegal to teach critical race theory; it only proves that race and racism do shape the U.S.' laws and political institutions.)
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 7:43 am
by FiveAcres
neonzx wrote: ↑Tue May 11, 2021 12:17 pm
"Critical Race Theory"
I've been trying to understand it -- they make it complicated but it sounds like mostly racists trying find a means to justify continuing to be racist. Am I missing something?
ETA: Hillsdale College (you know, the far right school that pushes right-wing bs) just last month had "Critical Race Theory" as their editorial in their monthly print publication. (don't worry, it's free and I'm making them spend money). Even then, after a lengthy, scholarly editorial, I didn't know WTF they were talking about.
My partner gets it. I am not sure that he bothers to read it. I roll my eyes when I see it delivered and think "At least it's helping the USPS."
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 10:26 am
by sugar magnolia
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 11:28 am
by AndyinPA
The same Nikki Haley who doesn't use her real name, Nimrata?
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:02 am
by raison de arizona
“Critical Race Theory” Hysteria Is A “Satanic Panic”-Style Hoax From Fox News
Conservatives Are Obsessed With Critical Race Theory
Critical race theory is having a moment. To listen to Republican politicians and conservative pundits and their affiliated media like Fox News, the New York Post, Newsmax, the Daily Caller and hundreds of others, you would think critical race theory is everywhere.
Republican governors with presidential aspirations like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem mention repeatedly that they are fighting against critical race theory. Republicans in Congress are organizing letters against critical race theory and proposing legislation that would purportedly stop funding of education based on the obscure academic terminology.
Critical race theory is under the bed, its inside your kindergartner’s classroom, it’s sleeping with your spouse, it’s why your lunch doesn’t taste good and why you forgot your grandmother’s birthday. At least it is if you listen to the right.
As a result of this hysteria, which has been building for about two years now, critical race theory will definitely be a major rallying cry among conservative voters and Republicans will try to outdo each other in proving how against it they are.
What Is Critical Race Theory?
The real critical race theory is an intensely academic subject, usually bantered about at the college level in discussions about the long-term effects and causes of systemic racism. It is the kind of thing that is important and worthy of serious academic study, debate, and investigation.
What it isn’t is something that is being taught to grade school, middle school, or high school age children. Sixth grade teachers are not, frankly, being given critical race theory talking points to be included as their lesson plans.
It just isn’t happening. Unfortunately, as is so frequently the case in dealing with the conservative movement in America, real facts do not matter.
https://oliverwillis.com/critical-race- ... -fox-news/
Great column worth a read.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:16 am
by bill_g
I've heard that the removal of Confederate "historical" monuments is driven by CRT which may explain some of the anguish and hand wringing.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:43 am
by MikeDunford
bill_g wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:16 am
I've heard that the removal of Confederate "historical" monuments is driven by CRT which may explain some of the anguish and hand wringing.
I think the removal of the Confederate historical monuments is mostly driven by the increasing recognition that they were erected - very explicitly, in many cases - for racist reasons.
Blaming CRT for that increasing recognition is --
let me put it this way. CRT is a bit more focused on the areas where it's necessary to thoughtfully explore a subject to see the role of race or the racist effects. Blaming CRT for people doing things like
reading the speeches that were delivered when monuments were dedicated is kind of like blaming meteorology for alerting you to the hurricane outside your window.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:53 am
by bill_g
MikeDunford wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:43 am
bill_g wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 9:16 am
I've heard that the removal of Confederate "historical" monuments is driven by CRT which may explain some of the anguish and hand wringing.
I think the removal of the Confederate historical monuments is mostly driven by the increasing recognition that they were erected - very explicitly, in many cases - for racist reasons.
Blaming CRT for that increasing recognition is --
let me put it this way. CRT is a bit more focused on the areas where it's necessary to thoughtfully explore a subject to see the role of race or the racist effects. Blaming CRT for people doing things like
reading the speeches that were delivered when monuments were dedicated is kind of like blaming meteorology for alerting you to the hurricane outside your window.
I'll rephrase - the anguish over CRT is in response to the Confederate monument removals. The academic critical race theory and the political football CRT are two different things.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 11:37 am
by MikeDunford
bill_g wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:53 am
I'll rephrase - the anguish over CRT is in response to the Confederate monument removals. The academic critical race theory and the political football CRT are two different things.
This is true. For starters, one of the two isn't a straw man invented by the right.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 1:44 pm
by Uninformed
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:59 am
by raison de arizona
We asked Republicans to explain Critical Race Theory—they couldn’t
Do they actually know what they are talking about?
[spoiler: No!]
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) told the Daily Dot that Critical Race Theory is “different things to different people but the bottom line is that it is a distorted view of racism.” Asked how Critical Race Theory distorts racism, Brooks said, “by trying to turn it into a positive when it is a negative.”
Most Republicans were unwilling to even offer a definition,
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) both refused to give any answers.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) of Florida told the Daily Dot, “there’s a lot of people that have a lot of different definitions.” Asked for the Senate Republicans’ definition of Critical Race Theory, Scott said, “I don’t think the Republican caucus has a definition.” In early June, Scott introduced a resolution on Critical Race Theory which defines the theory as “an academic concept based on the belief that racism is embedded in American society, highlighting the differences between Americans instead of the many commonalities that unite them.”
But when asked what the definition of Critical Race Theory might be in upcoming legislation from Republicans, Scott told the Daily Dot, “I’ll reveal when it comes.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who signed onto Scott’s resolution, refused to answer when asked for her definition of Critical Race Theory.
Perhaps the clearest definition of the concept came from
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who said, “it is a Marxist ideology that conceives of society … Marxist ideology conceives of society as a battle between the classes, Critical Race Study substitutes race for class.”
Some Republicans were a bit more creative in their answers, like
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) who responded, “you give me a definition and I’ll tell you if I agree with it.”
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) was similarly elusive, when asked for a definition, he responded “you find me one.”
More about the real origins here:
https://www.dailydot.com/debug/critical ... publicans/
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 5:06 pm
by RVInit
So they don't know what it is that they are against. Just that they are against whatever it is. Got it.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:33 pm
by northland10
RVInit wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 5:06 pm
So they don't know what it is that they are against. Just that they are against whatever it is. Got it.
That's it. Their marks also don't care what it actually is and the politicians only care that their marks are outraged.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:51 am
by neeneko
RVInit wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 5:06 pm
So they don't know what it is that they are against. Just that they are against whatever it is. Got it.
Well, it is a winning strategy. Look at most of the things that the right is against and very little of it is self consistent or even related to actual things. It is just one long moral panic with arbitrary symbols attached to it. They don't care what something is because all they really want is for it not to exist and make them feel anxious.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:48 pm
by RTH10260
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:43 pm
by Patagoniagirl
This ridiculous hysteria over Critical Race Theory reminds me of the racist, bull-horn hysteria of SHARIA LAW TAKING OVER 'MURIKA! FFS! Never mind this isn't something anyone was, or will be teaching in K-12. It is courses which discuss how laws have been formulated that affect race, like Jim Crow laws, for example. It is discussed in law school, Masters programs and PhD programs. Not K-12. It's a non-issue. This is like the same hysteria to pass laws about aborted fetuses being killed outside the womb at 16 weeks. It's the same hysteria as reattaching zygotes.
The ignorance and fearmongering is astounding, but expected from the Republicans who now only know how to stay in power by feeding fear, difference and ignorance.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:54 pm
by Suranis
Plus you would have to say "Sharia law? Which one?"
I have to admit I wouldn't have a clue what "critical race theory" is either. Reading this thread, I would say "An academic discussion on Whether, and to what degree Racism has affected American history, and society," is as decent enough a definition as any.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 1:22 pm
by Notaperson
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 1:49 pm
by Frater I*I
Hmmmmm...they all have one particular trait in common
![Bored :bored:](./images/smilies/boredsmiley.gif)
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:16 pm
by LM K
I'm scared that state and federal gov will tie funding to CRT. I think repubs want to tie funding to CRT in k-12 and higher ed schools that teach "CRT".
I'm not certain that state and the federal gov can regulate what is taught in higher ed (I don't think they can), but they absolutely can block public k-12 schools from teaching CRT.
Repubs have demonized education because education facilitates critical thinking. Critical thinking makes things hard for local, state, and the federal gov.
I'm so angry about repubs attacks against CRT. History is pretty inconvenient for repubs.
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 4:52 pm
by Chilidog
LM K wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:16 pm but they absolutely can block public k-12 schools from teaching CRT.
Are you sure about that?
Re: Critical Race Theory
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 4:54 pm
by Chilidog
Sorta
Kinda
Related
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 233 Tuesday.
The legislation will require public universities to survey students and staff annually about their beliefs to assess “viewpoint diversity” on campuses.
The bill does not specifically say what will be done with survey results, but DeSantis suggested budget cuts could be imminent if universities and colleges are found to be “indoctrinating” students.
https://thehill.com/changing-america/en ... faculty-be