In today’s soundbyte and social media posting world, it would be easy to write that the backlash against Critical Race Theory is proof of why we need Critical Race Theory, but I think it would be better to defend Critical Race Theory on its merits.
First off, I have read there is a difference between Critical Race Theory and Culturally Responsive Teaching. Just to mess with us, the god of acronyms (GOA) decided to give these two the same initials — CRT. But from what I understand CRT (Critical Race Theory) is what professors argue about and CRT (Culturally Responsive Teaching) is what kids in K-12 learn and can be boiled down to — be nice to one another and respect and learn about each other’s culture.
I think both CRTs acknowledge that our nation needs to come to a better understanding about race and that we are experiencing a time when the view of U.S. history is being seen through a different, important and mostly neglected lens. And it is an upsetting view, to say the least. I read The 1619 Project and it was like getting hit by a thunderbolt, but it is a thunderbolt that has, I think, opened my eyes further to the inspirational history of how Black people in America have survived and thrived under terrible circumstances.
