Editors at the Washington Examiner place the battle over Critical Race Theory in context.
For decades now, left-wing activists have used their power in academia and public education to fundamentally change how people understand their nation’s past, present, and future. Republican Glenn Youngkin’s victory over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia’s gubernatorial election was the first battle in an effort to take that narrative back.
People have long understood their nation is imperfect, born into a world where slavery and racism were endemic. But they also know their republic has a unique commitment to the truth that all men are created equal with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. …
… In direct contradiction of the color blind tradition, critical race theory seeks to “recover and revitalize the radical tradition of race-consciousness among African Americans and other people of color.” Just as Marxists pushed people to identify themselves primarily by class, critical race theorists want people to identify themselves primarily by race.
Critical race theory is not taught directly to K-12 students, but its principles are being taught to K-12 teachers, who are then expected to infuse this new narrative into all of their classes. …
… Parents have begun to see the results of this new narrative action. Their children are sometimes forced to identify which aspects of their identities give them “privilege,” and then they are told to rank themselves and their other classmates based not on the content of their character but instead on how much “privilege” each of them has.
Parents do not like this new narrative. As one stepfather who voted for Youngkin said as he left the polls, “I kind of like the old style of school. I still believe in the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and God.”
Democrats can’t seem to decide whether to deny that critical race theory is being taught in schools or to admit that it is happening but call any opposition to it racist.
