Critical race theory is the claim that American institutions, laws, and history are inherently racist. It argues that white people have put up social, economic, and legal barriers between the races in order to maintain their elite status, both economically and politically and that the source of poverty and criminal behavior in minority communities is due exclusively to these barriers.
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@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
No
@9F8BLRC 2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
It is an essential part of history and explains much of our country, and all other countries backgrounds. No person is not affected by it. How can we do better if we don’t learn from the past mistakes and the systems that enabled those abuses.
@9FCLG9RRepublican1yr1Y
Critical Race Theory in itself, is racist. Teaching history is essential, but teach it the way it actually happened and do not insert any racial agenda. Things happened the way they did and that's all there is to it. This country will never get over racism and slavery because we seen to have a terrible problem with letting it go. Let it go.
@9CJ6CB61yr1Y
First thing’s first, it’s a college level class so it’s not being taught in K-12 schools in the first place. Second, it’s stated to be a theory, a theory that the institutions in society still hold a racial bias, especially the justice system. I’ve found that to be true in the lives of so many people, and it’s not something that liberals are “holding onto”, it’s something society still prevalent in so many ways. That’s the problem right now, the activism is there, but it’s doing little to nothing all while the actual deep rooted problems are left untouched.
@SprJFSocial Justice1yr1Y
Manhattan Institute surveyed 1,500 Americans aged 18 to 20 on topics related to CRT and gender ideology.
Ninety-three percent of respondents said that they had heard about at least one of eight CSJ concepts from a teacher or other adult at school, including “white privilege,” “systemic racism,” “patriarchy,” or the idea that gender is a choice unrelated to biological sex. Additionally, 90% of respondents had heard about at least one CRT concept and 74% about at least one radical gender concept.
“it’s a college level class so it’s not being taught in K-12 schools in the first place”
The question being asked here was specifically *pertaining* to K-12 education and asking whether we *should* teach it or not. Not whether or not it currently is.
@9F99KWBRepublican1yr1Y
Racism is taught and is not a trait that is in every generation. If racism was not talked about it would die down.
@76KRRQ3 10mos10MO
If racism was not talked about it would die down.
It's incredibly sad that with all the knowledge we have in 2024, people are still trapped in their bubbles enough to actually believe this
@Patriot-#1776Constitution8mos8MO
What's your objection, genius?
@9F9GBMF1yr1Y
Critical race theory is driving a wedge between us. We’re teaching young children who siding even understand racism, racism.
@76KRRQ3 9mos9MO
True. Couldn't be the systemic oppression, surely not. It's the acknowledgment of it that's the problem lol. /s
Tf is wrong with you people?
@9PB2DLC 9mos9MO
I believe the theory is that if young people were allowed to form friendships regardless of skin color, rather than being discouraged by parents or the system, they would see racist policy for what it is on their own, and abolish it as they move into positions that can affect the system. In this way, the systemic issues should dissolve on their own. Obviously it's not so simple in practice, but that's the theory. It's not that systemic oppression isn't the problem, but that cause and effect might be confused here.
Presenting the Critical Theory to students in K-12 may raise a higher level of misunderstanding. It can be agreed that racism and discrimination are wrong but neither is racially motivated propaganda. There is much more to life than just the color of our skin. Instead, students should be taught a set of morals rather than just focusing on one aspect.
@76KRRQ3 9mos9MO
"racially motivated propaganda"
As in? What would realistically be included in a curriculum of CRT, that most people would agree was also propaganda?
"There is much more to life than just the color of our skin."
POCs want others to believe that to be true more than anyone. The fact that non-POC actions (or inaction) often don't line up with that ideology, is the reason we're all having this conversation in the first place. Or would you rather believe the majority of POC...idk, "want" to be systemically oppressed lol?
@9GT9Q45 1yr1Y
It’s important for kids to learn the history of race and how it’s affected our country, so that we can move forward as a country and be more inclusive to the point of race not even existing or having an affect on the way our country operates.
@9GTBN6P1yr1Y
I think that black people are more racist. They want everyone to feel bad for black people . Its not just racism directed towards them.
@VulcanMan6 1yr1Y
Meanwhile you are here making blanket statements against an entire race...
@9HZ8L7C 1yr1Y
And what's interesting is you are making claims that one race deserves more then another...
@9GTBWKTIndependent1yr1Y
It already doesn't have an affect on the way our country operates. To be successful, you work hard, race has nothing to do with it.
@VulcanMan6 1yr1Y
Race does unfortunately have something to do with it, that's literally the problem with systemic racism and why we should be working to dismantle it.
@Minarchist-08Libertarian11mos11MO
The only way in which race has something to do with it is that white people, particularly white Christian males, are derided and discriminated against in modern society.
@@1876-Elbert4mos4MO
And the only way to dismantle it is to ignore it, not make it a big deal...
@Devroe 1yr1Y
Education should be fact based and should teach the full truth. Not a watered down version that aims to make America look better than it is by downplaying its past racism, genocide, and bad policies. Some of these policies are still in effect and continue to marginalize minorities in this country. The only way to fix a problem is to admit there is one and successfully identify it. No change can be made if we are unable to recognize that change needs to happen. And the only way to recognize this is by arming people with the facts.
@Minarchist-08Libertarian11mos11MO
Name some of the things you think are racist or genocidal America has done.
@76KRRQ39mos9MO
Lmfao
@Patriot-#1776Constitution8mos8MO
Why? Because you've been brainwashed into hating America?
@9GRZ79X 1yr1Y
I think critical race theory is something that needs to be taught. It shows how America in its past and still now is inherently racist and discriminatory against people of color and minority groups.
@9GS393R1yr1Y
critical race theory is in the past. It may have been good to provide the civil right movement but today there is no reason for it. there is not a single law that oppresses black people and when it is implied it only benefits African and Hispanic people, not other minorities.
@9GS2T3W1yr1Y
The best way to handle this is to show truth. Show as things happened and ways to make our society better
@Minarchist-08Libertarian11mos11MO
So-called "minority groups" actually benefit from discrimination in their favor, while white males are discriminated against.
@9GS3KPB1yr1Y
I think that critical race theory shouldn't be taught to kids unless they want it taught to them, some things should be left in history and not be brought up
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes
@9GFXS8W 1yr1Y
Top Agreement
Critical race theory is something they is very real in our world, the US has always been inherently racist, important to show students of young age how the US acted. The US has always been an oppressive state of colonial power and we still are, noting in the world is going to change if we don't learn from our mistakes that are still happening to this day which they shouldn't be.
@9GG4CV8 1yr1Y
The usa is not an oppressive state. It is like any other country in the world, it has made mistakes. Thankfully, we have been trying to correct these mistakes, however, throwing money at the issue does not fix it. The only way to fix these mistakes is smart legislation and time.
@9GHKYDP1yr1Y
every race are equal no race is better or worse there is no need to make white kids thing they are inferior because they are white you can just flip the script of what happened 100+ years ago white privlage isnt a thing all races can be getto,gangsters,ect just be a normal human and dont be evil.
@9GGWBL31yr1Y
The US was not built on racism. It was built by Coloints sure but that was over 200 years ago. We need to calm down and realize that not everything is racist. We shouldn't be raising children to either believe they are horrible because of their skin color or need extra help and assistance because of their skin color. It's wrong. Yes, I feel strongly about this.
@9GG8KR4Republican1yr1Y
children do not need to be told that one race is this bad one and the other ones are right and good all this creates is separation and leaves a bad mark on everyone having people grow up to resent one race
@9GR44ZCRepublican 1yr1Y
I strongly disagree with the Critical Race Theory, because it is turning children against the U.S. and saying that the U.S. is racist.
@9GSZ44P1yr1Y
I agree with the comment. Its 2023, black and white people are treated the same. Nobody treats black people bad, statistics show black and colored people commit more crimes then white people. So from a police standpoint, of course cops are going to be more concered with colored people. They cause more issues.
“statistics show black and colored people commit more crimes then white people”
I don't even have time to get into everything about this comment, but here is a loose summary: This is (1) incorrect and even if it was correct it would be (2) an oversimplification. Do you mean crime in general? Violent crime? Blue-collar crime? (3) If we are speaking generally, statistics show that white people commit more crimes than people of color (though I'll give it to you that it is only slightly more) mostly because it's a numbers game: white people are the majority. Think about how likely it is that the group representing the majority of the U.S. population (white people) would for some reason be the minorityRead more
@9JJ99LTLibertarian1yr1Y
In absolute terms, more crimes are committed by whites, but the rates are higher among blacks, at least when it comes to violent crime. This is the main reason why blacks have higher incarceration rates and why they're more likely to get shot by police.
@9GR4RN51yr1Y
I do agree with this statement. I believe a lot of politics/what is being taught in school is dividing the American people. The majority of people (at least the ones I have spoken to) Do not care about critical race theory. All it is doing is dividing our people and causing more issues than there needs to be.
@9GR5M5S1yr1Y
i agree with this, schools should not be teaching this to kids since especially in k-8 kids are very impressionable and will belive everything they hear even if its not true
@9GTFPKV1yr1Y
I support local schools choosing to teach kids what they want in respect to race however I would oppose a local battle against schools to fight critical race theory.
@9GW47R7 1yr1Y
It causes black people to have a victim mentality and puts them in the position everyone is trying to prevent. Everyone should be seen as equal, but when you continue to bring up how different everyone is, it will never go away.
@9GW4VVR1yr1Y
It isn't a cause of pointing out the difference to divide people. It's to bring in history and understanding of one another. To dismantle hatred that children are raised into by teaching them an understanding of other races.
@9FYS4HXIndependent 1yr1Y
The Critical Race theory assumes that everyone is inherently racist. We put racism behind us long ago and the people saying that anyone is racist at this point is causing further racism. In our current state, white males are said to be privileged but there are numerous points to prove the opposite and that more opportunities are given to everyone else from all the programs supporting women's, immigrants, racial (Black, Asian, etc.) that white people don't have that at this point, white people are often discriminated against now because of what HALF of the white male population in the USA did Centuries ago.
@9GZPMXS 1yr1Y
“and the people saying that anyone is racist at this point is causing further racism”
I definitely think people are still racist today and that racism exists. Calling out racism is perfectly acceptable and fine. However, this is not any reason for kids to be taught CRT. No one is inherently racist or inherently disadvantaged because of their race. Saying that is ignorant and causes harm to society by creating further tensions. Calling out individual racist people is fine but calling an entire race of people "racist" is plain idiocy.
I think the biggest reason we should teach critical race theory is a) not everyone is white, and b) critical race theory just means we are teaching history while being critical of it's inherent bias
@9FYS4HXIndependent 1yr1Y
Bias towards whom? The only Bias would be the people winning the wars vs the people losing them "the winners write history" there isn't bias and at the moment, the history is written as it happened and people have gotten the recognition deserved and rights/amendments have been put in place. Yes we should learn from history, yes we should teach about the slavery, but there's no need to accent it from a "racist" point of view. Our society was built to mesh everyone together and work together but all we're doing is ripping each other apart. By teaching critical… Read more
While it's true that amendments have been made and progress has been achieved, it's important to remember that remnants of past injustices can still have an impact on the present. Critical race theory does not aim to say that all people are racist, but instead it seeks to examine the ways in which systemic racism has shaped and continues to influence societal structures and institutions. For instance, consider the topic of redlining. Though legally abolished, the impact of this discriminatory practice is still visible today in the form of wealth and education gaps. Acknowledging and… Read more
@9H38ZT81yr1Y
“white people are often discriminated against now because of what HALF of the white male population in the USA did Centuries ago.”
This is rarely ever true. White people aren't facing mass amounts of discrimination and prejudice because of their past. While it is true that discrimination against white people is higher than it was in the past, it is nowhere near a level of actual relevance
@9ZVZVDL3mos3MO
This really depends on where you live. I lived in a blue state for a couple of years and every now and then had some people who labeled people like me as someone who seemed racist just because I was a straight white male. Now in the red state I live in, there really isn't much racism here when compared to where I once was.
@9JJ99LTLibertarian1yr1Y
Not even half. Slave owners were only a small minority of whites in the southern states and the majority of white Americans ancestors were still in Europe (ex Italians, Irish, Germans, Poles, Jews) at the time the Civil War ended.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
No, kids should be raised to be racially color blind instead of being taught they are inherently racist or disadvantaged based on the color of their skin
@9FQ6KW2 1yr1Y
Top Disagreement
The best way for people to understand racism is to teach them about it early on. Most racism comes from a family's home life so if it was taught in school there is potential that ones mindset could be changed,
@9FQPWKZ1yr1Y
Children should be taught about racism when they are able to understand the concept and develop their own thoughts. With that they should be taught the truth of racism through history without hiding any information to make other groups appear better.
@9FQ9CVTIndependent1yr1Y
Teaching a kid about racism is akin to teaching them racism at school. Whether anti-racism or not, it forces everyone to overly focus on race. Having a high importance based off race is inherently racist as you are focusing your attention on topics based off of someone's race. Critical Race Theory should never be taught in schools. It would only increase racism, and many students would fight back against CRT by becoming even more racist to combat it.
@9FQLTVN1yr1Y
Teaching about racism in school early on can help people better understand it. Racism often starts at home, so if schools teach about it, they might change how some people think about it. I agree that teaching about racism in schools can be a good idea because it can help combat racism from a young age and promote understanding and tolerance.
@9FQC52W1yr1Y
I agree, it's important for children of all ages to be taught to treat everyone the same, not by race.
@HouseofMouse 1yr1Y
By not teaching such a core aspect in what formed the systems we live under today, children are missing important parts of their education. The point of Critical Race Theory isn’t to penalize future generations for the way that people acted; it’s to bring awareness to past situations and what we as a society can do to improve upon them. I’ve come across many of the older generations who feel inclined to say racially insensitive statements, and I think that learning the impact of that from a young age would lead to vast improvement.
@9HKYDKXIndependent1yr1Y
I agree with this comment because it focuses on the underlying systematic racism that exists within the United States. I believe that critical race theory is meant for future generations to study, and move past as a society. critical race theory is possibly our only solution to fixing the issue of racism that has plagued the United States since it's founding.
@9FPSC9YProgressive 1yr1Y
Children are aware already of the racial and ethnic differences from a young age. Choosing to ignore that racism happens in school won't get rid of the racism outside of school. It would only create more ignorance. By teaching children the things that have happened in history, you are validating the people affected and showing others that it isn't okay to be prejudiced.
@9FRDFNQ1yr1Y
I agree with this person. We need to teach children about the history of racism in the United States (but make it as basic and as un-scary as possible until students are mature enough to handle the truth).
@9FT7MNK 1yr1Y
Top Agreement
If you teach raise kids in a racially color blind setting then they will be less likely to make generalizations about different groups of people.
@VulcanMan6 1yr1Y
...or it could just make them ignorant to the instances and/or structures of racism that exist around them, or worse, it could make them dogmatically parrot the racism of those around them without understanding it.
@9TYJFHK6mos6MO
Start by teaching them not to judge by race, then teach them that race and racism exist. Teach them why racism is evil and illogical, instead of putting their knowledge in an inherently racist framework.
@9FVBVYS1yr1Y
Kids can be molded into whatever the parent wants them to be molded into, but kids also have a mind of their own. Even if you were to not teach the generalizations of race, gender or religion, kids will still often make stereotypes of a group of people.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes, we cannot end racism until we acknowledge that our institutions, laws, and history are inherently racist
@9GMWN9B 1yr1Y
To adopt a victim mentality is to see the entire world working against you, rather than adopting a victor mentality where if you work hard, you can achieve anything you put your mind toward. To teach young kids of color that the world and their country's government is against them is to instill a mindset of, "everything is stacked against me so why try". If you believe the world is against you, then the world will turn against you. It's better if we teach kids about hard work, practical skills, how to learn , etc, not that because of the color of their skin, the government is against them.
@9GS9JMF1yr1Y
Equality does not mean getting treate fair, life is unfair. Equality is equal opportunities not equal outcome.
@9GS9TCR 1yr1Y
I agree, the youth of our nation should be raised to be proud of who they are, and accepting of others, without need for attention on race. The democratic view, Critical Race Theory, and welfare will hurt minorities in the long run, whether they know it or not.
@9GSFKW51yr1Y
During recent years, most people have adopted a victim mentality that has caused people to blame their environment and outside factors including the government; however, most of these claims are false. Although it is true that some outside factors have caused a negative impact on people's education, the government is not one such factor. In fact, the government has been actively trying to balance and assist people in their education. For example, several laws that discourage unfair treatment and encourage equal education to people have been placed into action. Laws that make education more accessible have also been passed. These laws have done much to spread and positively impact people's education and future. However, some aspects still need work and improvement; as a result, the government is needed to accomplish this.
@VulcanMan6 1yr1Y
It's not a "victim mentality" if it's true. Systemic racism, supported by capitalism, are real structural factors responsible for keeping certain groups oppressed. Our government is not genuinely interested in addressing these issues, because it benefits from them, so they're only willing to provide band-aid solutions instead.
@Minarchist-08Libertarian11mos11MO
But it's not true. Non-Whites, Non-Males, Non-Christians benefit from discrimination in their favor, while White Male Christians are discriminated against. Basic facts.
@9GS9XFQ1yr1Y
Who cares about our history and if it is based in racism, it already happened and there is nothing we can do but move on and learn from our mistakes. Reparations just continue to push a past problem into the present.
@9GNDKHK 1yr1Y
Teaching kids that "if you are white, you are an oppressor and everything they achieve in their life is due to racial advantage" is fundamentally wrong! Teaching kids that "if you are black or minority, you are a victim and everything that you don't get in life is because of the color of your skin" is fundamentally wrong! This is unhealthy to teach to a child that tells that at a young age that they are different than other classmates. CRT only focuses on the dark parts of history but doesn't show the vast improvements made every decade since 1900. There'… Read more
@Patriot-#1776Constitution8mos8MO
Critical Race Theory isn't even a "Theory" because there's no evidence to support it. It's a stupid hypothesis that is demonstrably false.
@9TYJFHK6mos6MO
That's how most of the humanities are. It's subjective bull **** about how societies work, so it can't be proven.
Economics is the notable exception.
@9GNHF99Republican1yr1Y
I do not agree with these statements, everyone has the ability to achieve anything they want on life nowadays. This is not the 40's and 50's where there was oppression, we should not be indoctrinating the youth because of the past.
@8ZKNSCPConstitution1yr1Y
Top Disagreement
How do you end racism? Stop talking about it all the time 24/7 and excuse EVERYTHING on it. Morgan Freeman said so that one time and it's more true now more than ever. There's a difference between that and learning from past mistakes and actually learning on how we can improve on those problems.
@9GKF3NVRepublican1yr1Y
I agree with this comment about Critical Race Theory. K-12 Education should NOT require kids to learn about the history of racism because it will influence them as they grow up. Black vs. White was an accident in history, sparked by the importation of African-American slaves, slavery, and the French and Indian War. I believe that kids should grow up not knowing about the issue so it won't be an influential factor in their lives.
@9GNVJWJ 1yr1Y
If we truly want racism to be over why are we trying to teach children that they are inherently racist or disadvantaged because of their skin. That feeds into the problem. Children learn by example. If our children see that they are racist by default they will become racist because if they are racist according to CRT they think they need to act the part.
@stumpybub1yr1Y
People are not inherently racist. The more people shove in your face about how racist you are the more racist you're bound to be.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes, but not until they are teenagers
@9FP4T83Republican 1yr1Y
Top Disagreement
We cannot keep holding people accountable for the actions of the past. There are plenty of ways to discuss racism without forcing it upon on our children. We make racism a continuing issue by refusing to move on from the actions of past generations.
@9GJSXT4Independent1yr1Y
Why should Critical race theory ever be taught to anyone? This is a tool being used to divide America. We should be focusing on uplifting the people, not focusing on differences.
@9GJMHK4 1yr1Y
If schools cannot teach religion or gun safety, schools should definitely not tell students false news about how the United States has always been racist, because it hasn't.
@9GJQ2571yr1Y
I believe the other has a great point but it's still something people should talk about because there were moments back then that are worth teaching.
@9FMYNYD1yr1Y
I don't have one. But I do believe that children should be taught color blind in schools because school is a very effective place or a place that can have more of an imprint in their teachings.
@ISIDEWITH4yrs4Y
Yes, and also add Intersectionality and the 1619 Project to the curriculum
@9F4RHRPRepublican2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
We should not teach children that they are privileged or disadvantaged based on the color of their skin, it is and has been bad for children.
@9G9LPXP1yr1Y
People need to get over hiding behind the color of their skin and thinking that others have it out for them because of their skin color. Children need to learn and grow in a non race based environment. People of color are not always the victims
@Patriot-#1776Constitution8mos8MO
In fact, white males are the ones who are discriminated against. We just don't spend all day sobbing about it because we're not a bunch of sissified crybabies.
@9CJ6CB68mos8MO
Yes because our nation is just surrounded by hatred of WHITE people throughout our history, and the specific enslavement of WHITE people who only recently got their rights. It’s the WHITE people who experience the most suffering when the majority of the people massacring the natives of this land were in fact white Europeans. Social justice measures and attempts to undo this immeasurable and VERY recent history are not the end of white people. It’s not possible, it’s just not.
Kids in K–12 should be taught race theory because they should be aware of the problems that people of color face, but they shouldn’t be taught to judge or see someone solely by their skin color.
@9FBZCCJ1yr1Y
Children should know reality. Hiding this from them only causes ignorance and allows for state discrimination.
@9FB87WH1yr1Y
The teaching of Critical Race Theory should not be used to put down and discourage the people that are effected but instead used to shine a light on the issue and help build a generation that is able to identify signs of racial bias and discrimination that strive to make a country free from it
@9FN4K9G 1yr1Y
It is a ridiculous concept to indoctrinate racism and teach students that white is bad and black are always victims
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