FCPS denies promoting Critical Race, although it paid Ibram X. Kendi, advocate of Critical Race Theory $20,000 for a one-hour Zoom appearance in August 2020 at the kick-off session for the school year for principals and administrators. Fairfax County schools spent an additional $44,000 to purchase 3000+ copies of his books for use in Fairfax County high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. (In September 2023 “Boston University said it is conducting an “inquiry” into celebrity author Ibram X. Kendi’s Center for Antiracist Research after receiving complaints about the center’s culture and grant management.”)
What is Critical Race Theory and Why Does it Matter?
Critical race theory, intellectual and social movement and framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is a socially constructed category that is used to oppress and exploit people of color. Critical race theorists hold that racism is inherent in the law and legal institutions of the United States.
Britannica
Attached is a video that summarizes the origins, teaching, and objectives of Critical Race Theory (“CRT”). It was prepared by a prominent CRT opponent, Christopher Rufo. It is well worth the time required to watch it (17;45).
The video confirms and reinforces several prior posts on this website, which have shown that the Fairfax County School Board has actively incorporated the concepts of CRT into its educational programs for teachers and students.
The school system’s leaders deny that “Critical Race Theory” is being taught. Although this may not be an outright lie, it is, at the very least, intentional misdirection. There is no course called Critical Race Theory, but its tenets have been incorporated into every level of teaching. The School Board has adopted the lingo of CRT (e.g., “equity” vs. equality, “social justice,” “privilege,” “identity”), as well as the concepts of CRT (e.g., that blacks are held back by institutional disadvantages; that whites have inherent “privileges”; that whites harbor unconscious racist attitudes; that standardized testing is inherently racist; and that a person’s power, conduct and beliefs are shaped primarily by by his or her “identity”). For example, as shown in a recent post, the VA/US History course for Fairfax County 11th graders focuses almost every lesson on the concepts of “power, identity, privilege and bias.” See “Fairfax County’s Race-Centric Curriculum for U.S. History,” Jan. 21, 2022.
continue reading the rest of this article at Fairfax School Monitor
Students in Fairfax Schools have reported participating in exercises such as the “Privilege Walk” so they can learn about their status of being “oppressed” or “oppressor”, Students are lined up and instructed to take steps forward or backward depending on a perceived privilege. The “winner” or the “loser” as judged by the exercise is the Christian White Male who has the most privilege by virtue of his group identities imposed by the organizer of the activity.
A number of proponents of Privilege Walks lament that often “students of privilege” become resentful of the exercise and being labeled as “oppressors”. Instead of recognizing what should have been an obvious outcome, these proponents double down and look for ways to correct the “students of privilege” from maintaining their positions of privilege without self-flagellation:
For it to work, students with privilege must become ready to reinvent their perspectives. Neuroscience calls this skill neuroplasticity: the brain’s innate ability to structurally and functionally change with new experiences.
Yet, in the midst of difficult emotions—such as those experienced during privilege walks—perspectives may narrow as students cognitively tighten in response to stress. Therefore, when engaged in such emotionally charged material, it is imperative for participants with privilege to hone a practice of shifting their habitual perspectives.
Let’s say we approach perspective shifting as a teachable skill—one necessary for a fruitful privilege walk. How can teachers impart it to their students? We can think of perspective as a muscle that grows more flexible with use.
BEYOND THE PRIVILEGE WALK: What good is a privilege walk activity if participants aren’t engaging in perspective shifting? by JEY EHRENHALT, JUNE 20, 2017
Ideologues never consider that their premise of indoctrination is wrong, they just have to keep looking for the means that will work to get the “other” to arrive at “their truth”.
Being Critical of Critical Race Theory
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is sweeping through many organizations, schools, and even religious organizations today. However, CRT—its origins, its fruits, and its effects—is contrary to love. As Catholics, we must be critical of Critical Race Theory, as it is contrary to Catholicism and common sense.
continue reading the rest of Deacon Anthony’s article at Crisis Magazine
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