Special Edition: Beyond CRT: A State of Hypocrisy and Enabling?

Beyond CRT: A State of Hypocrisy and Enabling?

Critical Race Theory or CRT has been a hot topic of debate and scrutiny in recent times. It has been outlawed in some U.S. states, including my home state of Mississippi. But what is CRT? According to the American Bar Association (2021): “CRT is not a diversity and inclusion “training” but a practice of interrogating the role of race and racism in society that emerged in the legal academy and spread to other fields of scholarship…It critiques how the social construction of race and institutionalized racism perpetuate a racial caste system that regulates people of color to the bottom tiers…”¹  

So, this is a scholarly theory that approaches racism as a social invention that is found in various institutions. Interestingly enough, CRT is taught at the university level and mostly in law schools. There has been a public outcry and fear of it being taught below the university level, such as at elementary schools. According to the Mississippi Free Press (2022): Per Republican Senator Michael McLendon: “But McLendon admitted that he found no evidence that “critical race theory” is taught in Mississippi’s public schools.” ² However, Governor Tate Reeves signed Senate Bill 2113 into law that “eliminates the teaching of critical race theory in any public institution in the state”.³    

There seems to be a lot of fear related to the teaching of CRT from many European-Americans. Why? First let me start by saying I have not taken a university course in Critical Race Theory (CRT). But I have taken a sociology university course that introduced controversial concepts and theories, such as Marxism-Leninism (Socialism-Communism). The teaching of one about communism in U.S. colleges and universities, does not necessarily lead to automatic recruitment into the communist party.

Generally speaking, there is a difference between instruction and indoctrination (even that fine line can be argued a bit further on another day). But context is important. The teachings of the educational system in China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam, who practice socialism-communism concepts, differs from the U.S. model of educational philosophies and practices. I took that university sociology course about communism at an appropriate age level and I am not a communist. And as far as I know, the teachings about socialism-communism has not been outlawed in the United States.  

The study of controversial theories does not mean one has to agree with everything in those theories. In my own research field, there are theoretical elements that I may agree with and other aspects not so much. But back to this issue of fear. It appears that much of the outcry is related to the perception of negative effects on those who study this theory. And not seen as any national security risk or issue. Of which, there would be a separate difference in assessment and interpretation.

There are historical events in U.S. history that are disturbing to study for many people of various hues. Both in the past and in modern times. Perhaps, we need techniques that improve the interaction with educational materials to facilitate better understanding and promote positive change to unjust situations and systems.

Finally, I am aware of a situation in which an African-American individual sent a complaint letter, that alleges racial discrimination and ongoing criminal retaliation, to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves for assistance. The individual made a follow-up telephone call to the office and was informed by a staff member: “You want everyone’s name and title. This office can’t help you!” This was a very disturbing response. Not only was this staff member rude, the statement is inaccurate.

The governor’s office has access to the state attorney general for inquiry, ability to make law enforcement referrals, and other available resources. The governor’s office can intervene and is choosing not to intervene. There is a difference. If we take a step back from the CRT controversy for a moment, we see issues of racism continue in the nation beyond CRT. This is unfortunate and makes one ask if Mississippi is in a state of hypocrisy and enabling? Or perhaps, Governor Tate Reeves could benefit from a little instruction in CRT.  

*Notice: The Sankofa Newsletter contacted Governor Tate Reeves office for a statement and none was provided.

Bibliography

(1) George, Janel. “A Lesson on Critical Race Theory.” American Bar Association. January 11, 2021. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/civil-rights-reimagining-policing/a-lesson-on-critical-race-theory/

(2) Judin, Nick and Pittman, Ashton. “Black Mississippi Senators Walk Out as CRT Bill Earns White Lawmakers’ Approval.” Mississippi Free Press. January 21, 2022. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/20007/black-mississippi-senators-walk-out-as-crt-bill-earns-white-lawmakers-approval/

(3) Gallant, Jacob. “Gov. Reeves signs anti-critical race theory bill into law.” WLOX news. March 14, 2022.  https://www.wlox.com/2022/03/14/gov-reeves-signs-anti-critical-race-theory-bill-into-law/

Video (2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goUBuAWO7Xc

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