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CityAndStatePA .com
September 2021
ASK THE EXPERTS:
Why is critical race theory so controversial?
Authorities in public policy, history and education explain what CRT actually is.
By Harrison Cann
C
RITICAL RACE THEORY has quickly become a catchphrase in politics and education. As conservative groups have deemed its teachings as “indoctrination,” more than a dozen Republican-backed bills have been introduced in the last year in an attempt to ban critical race theory in schools throughout the U.S. The wave reached Pennsylvania in June when state Rep. Russ Diamond introduced House Bill 1532. Diamond’s bill seeks to prohibit any curriculum that teaches “that any race or sex is superior to another, that any individual based on their race or sex is inherently racist or sexist, or that any individual should receive favorable treatment or be discriminated against based on their race or sex.” Like many conversations around the topic, Diamond’s bill doesn’t directly address what critical race theory is. If this discussion is going to continue when lawmakers return in the fall, everyone should know what they’re talking about. City & State reached out to some experts on the subject to try and understand what critical race theory is, how it relates to education and what the potential impacts are of policies banning certain teachings. Dr. Scott Hancock, professor of History and Africana studies at Gettysburg College, Rogers Smith, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and Sharif El-Mekki, CEO at the Center for Black Educator Development, were able to provide insight into the topic and offer their perspectives on the issue. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.
SCOTT HANCOCK: Most of what I’ve seen in public discussions, and in some of the state legislation that’s been proposed or passed in various states, including Pennsylvania, that what they’re identifying as critical race theory (CRT) is not CRT. I read some of that stuff and I think, “Okay, I’ve been teaching this stuff for 25 years and I’ve never read or heard any critical race theory scholars say that.” A lot of it is either a misunderstanding, or lack of understanding, or just intentional distortion
CREDIT
To start us off, can you define critical race theory and what it teaches?
