The recent push to ban the teaching of critical race theory has become a national issue. From the ban by the previous administration at the Department of Education to the recent interest from the Utah Legislature, there is now a clear push to politicize the teaching of a thoroughly researched and long-existing theoretical approach to education and law. This politicization is designed silence those that wish to challenge racism.
Critical race theory is simply a theoretical tool that researchers, educators, practitioners and scholars can use to understand the impact of historic and current legacy of racism in society. The tenets of critical race theory acknowledge the existence of systemic racism, the intersection of various forms of marginalization and the importance of storytelling.
The arguments about cancel culture, wokeness and a variety of other claims about critical race theory are misleading attempts to apply political talking points to the scholarly application of research. It is also important to note, as Robert Gehrke commented previously, critical race theory is not taught in K-12 schools.
Opponents of CRT claim it to be a destructive ideology that is used to divide our country and exacerbate race relations. Not talking about race, racism and failing to recognize a person’s racial identity does not make systemic racism disappear. Instead, CRT allows researchers, educators, practitioners and students to acknowledge how prevalent racism is in our society and how we are all effected by racism. Through acknowledging racism and the roles, we all play in sustaining systems that oppress historically marginalized groups, our country can move closer to healing and creating a just society for all.
The very fact that there is an attempt to ban the teaching of systemic racism is proof that system racism exists. Policymakers who supported the segregation of public schools prior to Brown v. Board of Education in the U.S. are now considered pariahs for their support of racist schooling policies. The bans on critical race theory could ban the teaching of Brown v. Board of Education, and many other critical elements of U.S. history and society.
The consequences of prohibiting theories such as CRT to be taught will invalidate any racial progress our society has made and will have lasting consequences. History will not look kindly upon those that attempt and support these bans, if history is even allowed to be taught in the future.
Shawn R. Coon and Vanessa Johnson-Ojeda, Doctoral candidates in the University of Utah Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
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