centered over the feelings of many children of color. Children of color have conversations about the racism they are experiencing at very young ages, as they sit with their parents at dinner tables. Many parents of color have even expressed how they would do a disservice to their children if they did not teach them about racism. In a society that continues to maintain racist structures, in order to truly dismantle these systems, we need to foster an environment where children are taught the true history if we
really want a different society for the future generations. Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Maya Ch’orti’ & Binnizá) is a transnational Indigenous scholar, scientist, and community advocate based in the Pacific Northwest. She is the author of “Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science.” Follow her at @doctora_nature on Twitter and Instagram.
What is Critical Race Theory? Critical race theory (CRT) was devloped in the 1980s by Harvard professor Professor Derrick Bell, whose research began as a means to dissect ideas that law and the judicial systems were fair, just, and neutral. His research spurred a movement that expanded among legal scholars of color. Among these legal scholars of color was Columbia Law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, a mentee of Bell, whose expertise is in civil rights and constitutional law, and is an expert on CRT. After the murder of George Floyd that re-energized the 2020 racial reckonings across America, the racial scholarship of acclaimed Columbia Law professors Kimberlé Crenshaw, Kendall Thomas, and Patricia Williams—was brought to the knowledge of general public, and Critical race theory became a buzzword with some media claiming it is being taught in K-12 schools. Critical race theory is still largely taught in law schools, but the ideas from it are reshaping how the United States’ education system is teaching American history. Critical race theory states that United States social institutions (e.g., the criminal justice system, education system, labor market, housing market, and healthcare system) are laced with racism embedded in laws, regulations, rules, and procedures that lead to differential outcomes according to race. It does not attribute racism to white people as individuals or as groups of people. It is a legal framework taught in law school NOT in K-12 schools. It is none-the-less being weaponized to censure discussions and erase/whitewash American History.
Examples of CRT Being Used to Ban Literature STATE
Tennessee
Texas
Pennsylvania Southern District 6
W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 • N O. 13 3
LEGISLATION
RESISTANCE
State legislature passed law banning funds from public schools that teach that anyone is “privileged” due to their race or have lessons that make students feel “discomfort, guilt or anguish” because of their race or sex.
Citing the law, a group called “Moms for Liberty” sent a list of books they deemed inappropriate to the Tennessee Department of Education including: • Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington • Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story Upon review the Tennessee Dept. of Education declined to investigate the group’s claim.
State legislature prohibits students from getting credit for participating in civic activities that include civic activism. • Katy Independent School District banned books: New Kid and its sequel Class Act and canceled a scheduled appearance by the award winning author Jerry Craft. The novels are about a Black boy matriculating in a new school with low diversity and his struggles to fit in.
After the review committee determined the appropriateness of the books, the books were reinstated and the author re-invited to speak.
In 2020 Pennsylvania’s Southern District banned James Baldwin’s I Am Not Your Negro and books about: • Rosa Parks • Martin Luther King Jr. • Malala Yousefzai
After student back lash, the school board reinstated access to these books one year later.