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Whether you support the critical race theory or from a school of thought that considers Critical Race Theory racism in itself, you cannot ignore the importance of the concept and the impact it is creating on our younger generation. While dealing with children in schools, the questions about inclusion, critical race theory, and diversity in the classroom are common and often get debated. With a heated discussion about this topic in society.
You cannot suppress the case or present the children with limited knowledge about the theory. Besides, today there are many other sources of information, so if as a teacher you won’t address this matter, you’ll be allowing the young minds to wander around and grab anything, which might not be complete or entirely reliable.
What is critical race theory?
Critical Race Theory highlights the American history of African National Individuals while coining the idea that racism isn’t an individual bias or problem; instead, it is a collective stance that also involves society’s justice and legal system.
In simpler words, every white individual in American society is accused of being racial. According to this theory, the laws and justice system have been manipulated to favor a particular race while demeaning the other.
In support of this theory, a few incidents are often quoted; instead, these incidents led to the creation of this theory. One of them is the demarcation of the explicit boundaries of the areas where black people lived. Such an area was labeled as a poor financial risk. This is just one of the incidents of government involvement; experts claim there are multiple such incidents.
Critique on the Critical Race Theory:
The opposers of the theory are not against the inclusion of diversity in the classrooms and other public areas, but their point is that this theory fuels racism against white individuals. It separates the white people from the other groups. It criticizes every individual for the sin, which the entire community has not committed. So, it is not fair.
Besides, it segregates the society with a visible divide, leaving no gray lines behind – a group of the oppressors and the other of the oppressed. There is nothing in between.
How can teachers deal with it?
The critical race theory being a hot potato can be problematic for the teachers, especially when a fierce debate is everywhere, including mainstream media.
A teacher must highlight the theory’s main points and critique the students. And then a fair chance to the students must be given to share their opinion. It won’t only help create a healthy debate, but the cons of the theory would automatically be reduced.
However, banning the theory altogether might trigger more curiosity, and understanding the approach with the wrong context can further divide society. This is something that we neither want nor afford in the long run.
