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On Critical Race Theory, history and the elections

Writer's picture: Aminah CrewAminah Crew

Candidate President Donald Trump said he would cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory


In a thought-provoking discussion, John Powell, an academic administrator, nonprofit legal director, and law professor dove into the complexities of CRT. “Critical Race Theory is taking a critical view of law, and questioning the idea that law can be objective and then looking at how law both constructs and actually distributes things on racial lines,” he said.


The upcoming election on November 5 could be one of the most significant in recent years. Ongoing issues are impacting us, and the next president may represent a pivotal moment for the people. Voters are particularly concerned about the economy, as well as their freedoms and rights.


As part of his current presidential campaign, Former President Donald Trump said he would cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory. 


As a result, numerous states have introduced legislation to limit or ban the teaching of CRT in schools, prompting heated discussions about educational content and academic freedom. The goal of teaching CRT isn’t to criticize white people, but to teach about the history of Black people and cultivate awareness about race in society. 


CRT is a topic that has been misunderstood because those that oppose it believe that American law hasn’t been systematically oppressive. 


When considering CRT, you might first think of concepts like racism, intersectionality, social constructs, or systemic racism. These terms are what is seen as the concept of CRT. Critical Race Theory examines the discourse that is controlled by intersectionality and recognizing that race, class, ethnicity and gender are all systems of power. 

CRT is under attack because people don’t want teachers to teach kids about the history of America being systematically racist. 


This framework is essential for Black students and faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The myths surrounding Critical Race Theory often serve white people’s interests, suggesting that teaching CRT implies all white children are inherently racist. Meanwhile, schools readily present negative portrayals of Black individuals. This is part of the reason HBCUs were established: to celebrate what it means to be young, gifted and Black, free from narrow definitions of Black identity.


Armari Breeveld, a sophomore criminal justice major at Clark Atlanta University, said Critical Race Theory is foundational to understanding how racism is embedded in legal and societal systems. “It avoids addressing systemic racial issues and silences conversations about historical and ongoing racial inequalities,” he said.


Another student, Sanai Bowden, also a criminal justice major, added, “There is pushback against it being taught in schools because some people believe the curriculum teaches racism or suggests that white people are always the bad guy.”


A recent Washington Post article titled; “Harris vs. Trump on student loans, education: Where they stand” explores the candidates’ positions on education. Vice President Kamala Harris has opposed efforts to limit discussions of race in schools, describing supporters of such restrictions as extremists who fail to “acknowledge our nation’s true and full history.” In 2023, she condemned Florida lawmakers for adopting African American history standards that suggested enslaved people benefited from slavery.


Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has made clear his intention to eliminate critical race theory from schools. The term, originally academic, has been weaponized by conservatives who oppose discussions of racism in education. Trump has led the charge against CRT, threatening to cut federal funding for any school that teaches it and banning federal agencies from conducting employee training on systemic racism.


During her oral history in The HistoryMakers Digital Archive, Aurie Pennick, CEO of Field Foundation of Illinois, shared her experience of becoming aware of discrimination based on skin color among African Americans.This example illustrates the complexities of identity, race, and colorism, particularly in school settings. 


 “And when I went south, I had all the hues of family colors. [In] high school it really became clear to me that there were favorites given to those who looked a certain way versus those who didn’t. Even though some of those who looked that way, they were surprised by it as well. Because I think some of us--as I said, some of my best girlfriends then and now are far lighter than I am skin color wise, but that had never been an issue ‘cause we just kind of never thought of it that way until, you know, you’re put in a circumstance where a certain person gets rewarded because of the way they look versus anything else and you being to, to recognize the, the inequities and/or injustice.”


Pennick’s reflections highlight the importance of awareness regarding inequality and the impact of societal norms on personal experiences and relationships.Therefore, teaching this CRT can foster critical thinking, help understand history, open conversations and prepare for a diverse society because recognizing race issues is crucial for the next generation and future leaders. 

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