Over the last few weeks, several state legislators have introduced bills to outlaw the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT). The rationale for such legislation is that CRT is divisive and anti-American. This criticism is often based on stereotypes and misinformation about the basic premise of CRT. Critical Race Theory reveals the ways that societal policies and practices create systems that promote racial injustice. This is often summarized by the phrase “systemic racism.” Rather than focusing merely on individual attitudes and actions. it emphasizes the impact of legally created systems that contributed to both generational and contemporary forms of racism in our society. In light of the 400 years of history since the first enslavement of Africans in what would become the United States, to the era of Jim Crow legal segregation, to more contemporary expressions of ongoing racism such as mass incarceration, police brutality, inequities in education and healthcare, and the racial wealth gap; the unjust impact of systemic racism on people of color seems obvious. Rather than being divisive and anti-American, Critical Race Theory seeks to get to the root of racial injustice through education about our nation’s racial history and developing policies and systems that promote a more just society that addresses the consequences of systemic racism.
For any of us who practice a Judeo-Christian faith based on the Bible, honest and constructive self-criticism of social and religious structures that promote injustice should be very familiar. The classical prophets spoke in the name of God calling for justice and condemning unjust practices and systems that oppressed or ignored the most vulnerable people. One of the most famous passages of this kind comes from the book of Amos chapter 5 verses 21-25 where the prophet denounces the religious practices of God’s chosen people, because their religion did not include justice for the poor and marginalized people in their society:
21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
Dr. King regularly quoted verse 24 as he pointed out systemic racism in his day before the term Critical Race Theory was developed. Nothing can be healed that is not brought to consciousness. The short video posted below, features some educators from Oklahoma addressing the importance of Critical Race Theory as a way to face and address systemic racism in our day. Oklahoma Is one of the states where legislation has been introduced to outlaw Critical Race Theory. I believe that it is especially important to listen to the voices of Black educators and other people of color who reveal the reality of systemic racism with the hope that this leads to systemic changes that promote true justice.