Biography

Hey, my name is Raul Gregory, and I'm a sophomore studying secondary education and English at The College of New Jersey. Throughout my educational career, I have encountered and engaged with Critical Race Theory, commonly referred to as CRT, in various ways. At first, I heard about critical race theory through the media, which debated whether or not it was dangerous in schools. However, I never really understood what critical race theory was and how it could be introduced in a classroom environment. It wasn't until college that I started being taught what critical race theory really is and how it could be applied to a classroom. On the following page, I will use resources to explore what critical race theory really is and compare that to what people perceive it as being. Furthermore, I will explore how critical race theory could be introduced into the classroom.

PBS Movie - Basic Black

The following video contains discussions on Critical Race Theory, pertaining to how its opponents fail to realize what Critical Race Theory really is. All of the scholars attached to this discussion bring up good points about why critical race theory is so difficult to introduce into education.

According to Renee Graham, some argue critical race theory teaches children to hate themselves or see white people as bad, but this isn't true. By presenting the theory this way, conservatives attempt to portray Critical Race Theory as being evil, and therefore not belonging within schools.

Michael Jefferies points out that conservative criticism of critical race theory is a distraction from truly severe international and domestic problems like COVID-19, environmental crisis, and feminist issues. Ultimately, conservatives attempt to make Critical race theory seem like a more serious problem, thus creating discussion that leads to other problems being overlooked.

Deborah Douglas points out that when Donald Trump banned Critical race theory training at the federal level and claimed it would dissolve the bonds of our civility, he severely misunderstood the goals of the critical race theory. Ultimately, his claims and actions positioned critical race theory in an extremely bad light, making it more controversial to adapt the practices into education.

Finally, Phillip Martin stated that these lies about critical race theory appeal to white families and are consolidated into what the video describes as conservatives' “Big Lie.” The “Big Lie” refers to the lies told by conservatives to create false narratives that place blame on the agenda and policies of the liberal party. These “big lies” make it extremely difficult to introduce critical race theory practices into education.

Although the video doesn't delve too deeply into how to adapt and introduce critical race theory into education, it does make the argument that in order to introduce the practice, we must educate individuals on what critical race theory really is. According to all the speakers, critical race theory refers to educating American history and the role of African Americans in the history of the country. It's important to teach people that the portrayal of critical race theory by the conservative media is an attempt to rewrite history and attain power. If we can teach people these two things, then there is hope for the future of education in America.

Rutgers Article - Understanding Critical Race Theory and How to Incorporate its Principles in the Classroom

The following article focuses on what critical race theory is, what it is not, and how it's applied in schools today. Firstly, the article notes that critical race theory is uncomfortable as it attempts to document just how race is deeply rooted in society. However, it argues that critical race theory does belong in education to provide students with a more equitable experience. Applying critical race theory to the classroom allows us to better understand and respond to inequalities in our educational systems.

The article exposes the roots of slavery in American history and emphasizes the importance of bringing issues of the past into the present to analyze how we've been influenced by them. The article then addresses some misconceptions about critical race theory, specifically in terms of its application in schools. It argues that critical race theory is not a curriculum but more so a lens for students to adopt when looking at systematic examples of racism. Furthermore, it notes that 96% of teachers interviewed are not required to teach critical race theory, contradicting what conservative media outlets believe. Another flaw in opponents of critical race theory is that it is not, in fact, anti-American. Despite the claims of political figures like Donald Trump and Ron Desantis, many conservatives believe critical race theory teaches children to hate their country. However, the article points out that it's just not true.

Finally, when discussing how it is applied, the article provides several resources for incorporating critical race theory into teaching practices. These resources are extremely valuable and should be used in classrooms attempting to adopt critical race theory. For instance, teachers can use the website 'Racial Equity Tools' to address race and racism in the classroom. The website helps understand the power dynamics of society and can be used to help students understand how these dynamics exist in their own lives.

ABC - Critical race theory in the classroom: Understanding the debate

The following video seeks to demonstrate just how schools have become battlegrounds. It's similar to the PBS movie in that it demonstrates the flaws conservatives have found with critical race theory and how they contradict what critical race theory actually is. However, it brings attention to other points that critics have made and how they've had national implications. In the video, it points out how Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis made claims that critical race theory is unpatriotic and teaches students to hate their country. This has made it difficult to discuss race in the classroom, as it has become an issue beyond local schools but rather a national issue.

Furthermore, the video points out that critics of critical race theory make two additional points. Some argue that Critical race theory does not delve deep enough and simply creates a social divide between students. Moreover, critics claim that bringing attention to racism leads to more racism. The following claims fail to recognize that bringing attention to these forms of racism won't generate more racism; instead, it aims to dismantle racism at its roots.

Similar to the PBS movie, the video points out that we must understand the true goals of critical race theory to apply it to our teaching practices. Critical race theory focuses on equity and justice. According to the video, in its most basic adaptations, critical race theory is a reformist theory that supports a redistribution of power within institutions by exposing racism and acting to eliminate it. To understand critical race theory, we must recognize that students of color are more likely to not be proficient in school subjects and are more likely to receive detentions or suspensions. This is important to note because critical race theory seeks to address these problems. The video points out that when applied properly, the theory ensures all children are represented and have the opportunity to be successful. Furthermore, it seeks to address the issues of racial division, disadvantages, and violence that take place in school. Ultimately, critical race theory elevates education and humanity.

Ted Talk

The speaker, Terri Francis, brings up several good points about race and racism and how we, as a society, are socialized to view these aspects of our lives. Her main point is that we are not born with a race; instead, we are born into a race. Furthermore, race is social and inherently racist and selfish. We are 99.9% the same, but society wants us to see ourselves as 99.9% different. Another significant point that Francis brings up is that individuals who claim not to see race or are 'colorblind' do more harm than good. It is crucial for society to understand the mechanisms within racism, and as educators, we should provide students with this insight. Francis also notes that individuals have two identities: the person they internally see themselves as being and the person others view them as being.

In terms of how to apply critical race theory in the classroom, Francis identifies several factors that need to be considered. Firstly, there is chaos within race and racism, making it hard to understand and consider. However, while this is true, thinking through racism is exactly what Critical Race Theory is all about. It's about constantly questioning the mechanisms of our society and seeking answers about why they exist and what their existence means. In this sense, critical race theory is difficult to truly understand, but when applying it to education, it's important to focus on how racism functions within society. Furthermore, Francis brings up several concepts that are discussed and approached in the media. For example, she notes the movie 'Us' by Jordan Peele explains the concept of our two identities: the one we see internally and the one others see externally. Watching a movie like this might be beneficial to explore how race influences our racial identity and our society as a whole.

An Example - Teaching "US"

Here are some discussion points teachers could use to analyze the theme of identity and race in the movie “US.”

1. Duality of Identity:

- The central theme of duality in the movie "Us" can be used to explore how individuals may perceive and experience different aspects of their identity. Discuss with students how the characters in the movie have both a surface-level identity and a hidden, often darker, counterpart referred to as the “Tethered.”

2. Social Class and Identity:

- The film touches upon issues of social class and economic disparity, which can be used to discuss how economic factors influence one's identity. Students can explore how characters' backgrounds and their socio-economic status contribute to experiences and the shaping of their identities. Compare the Wilson and Tyler family and how their actions and attitudes contradict one another.

3. Symbolism and Metaphor:

- The movie "Us" is rich in symbolism and metaphor. The presence of the “tethered” can be analyzed as a metaphor for internal conflicts, self-perception, and societal expectations. Students can delve into the symbolism of the film to understand how it reflects different aspects of identity. Look at images of the characters interacting with one another, how they compare and what this comparison implies.

4. Nature vs. Nurture:

- The movie raises questions about nature vs. nurture, exploring how external circumstances and societal factors contribute to shaping one's identity. Students can engage in discussions about the characters' upbringing, environment, and experiences, and how these factors impact their sense of self. Look at Adelaide Wilson's two identities, and how their upbringing influences their characters.

AT LIBERTY PODCAST

Kimberlé Crenshaw on Teaching the Truth about Race in America

Throughout the podcast, Kimberly Crenshaw notes several features about critical race theory that better help explain what it is and how it should be applied to education. She argues that it's crucial to understand racism not as individual prejudice but as embedded in society. We often attribute the existence of racism today to individual people or small groups. However, as Crenshaw notes, it's more about how racial inequality is created and reproduced. Furthermore, the reason it's embedded in the first place is because of the structure of our government. According to Crenshaw, the federal government is one of the most powerful actors in creating racial disparities. The laws of our society are not neutral. Ultimately, Crenshaw argues that understanding how racism is part of our society and is influenced by our government's policies is the central focus of critical race theory.

In terms of the introduction of critical race theory into the classroom, Crenshaw points out that it is generally not taught at middle schools, high schools, or even colleges. Typically, critical race theory is taught in law school to explain how the legal system is biased. However, to teach critical race theory at a secondary education level means to teach students to see and understand what is happening in society. It means understanding the biases of our legal system and how that has influenced society. In this sense, it is important to look at legal issues both past and current and understand how these issues have influenced our society.

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