Why Is Critical Race Theory Be Taught In Schools

In our society, racism is deeply ingrained in America. The U.S. has had a history of oppressive race-based legislation; these include slavery, concentration camps that held Japanese Americans, as well as Native Americans forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. These examples encompass a theory known as the Critical Race Theory (CRT). Following months of appeals for racial equality and anti-racism efforts, a debate over CRT erupted in 2020 about whether the concept should be taught in schools and questions arose about what the theory truly teaches. CRT can help trace racism throughout America’s history and determine how it can affect minorities through cultural perceptions of race. The concept of Critical Race Theory has been misconstrued

In the curriculum, CRT helps demonstrate the continuing pattern that racial minorities go through and help students comprehend the basis of the problem. Racial attitudes in the media have affected people of color’s perception of their own races. A great example of this comes from the famous play called, Dutchman and The Slave Jones (1964). It was written in the 1960s and illustrates the hate between blacks and whites in America. The story follows Lula, a white woman who symbolizes “White America,” and Clay, a black male who represents black identity and manhood. They first encounter each other at a subway station through a flirtatious conversation that later turns into derogatory, hate-fueled language. Their relationship signifies the ongoing battle between whites and people of color through cultural perceptions speeding toward genocide. In schools, CRT can be used to help break stereotypes of people of color. Within the play, Lula says, "What right do you have to be wearing a three-button suit and striped tie? Your grandfather was a slave, he didn’t go to Harvard” (Jones 18). Lula uses this to mock Clay’s pretensions and to suggest that he is being a fake white man. At the end of the play, Lula murders Clay after trying to persuade him to show his “true” self and later rushes

Those who oppose CRT say that it bashes white people and in turn, can be racist toward white people. Toldson (2022), a professor at Howard University and national director of Education Innovation says that many people view the concpects underlying CRT as an effort to rewrite American history and essentially convince white people that they are inherently racist and should feel guilty because of their advantages. This later has led to legislation being put in place to limit how racism can be taught in schools. Nonetheless, the point of CRT is not to bash white people. Bashing white people actually goes against the principles of CRT. Sawchuk (2021), an associate editor who writes on curriculum states, “The theory says that racism is part of everyday life, so people—white or nonwhite—who don’t intend to be racist can nevertheless make choices that fuel racism. CRT puts an emphasis on outcomes, not merely on individuals’ own beliefs, and it calls on these outcomes to be examined and rectified” (para. 14). Teh existence of white privilege and systematic racism is not a matter of opinion; it is a clear and undeniable fact that has been showcased by lived experience and cannot be denied. The point of CRT is to expose the racial injustices within America’s system and to help amend these perceptions on people of