I am not looking for a fight, but I was talking about this and thought it would be a good place to poll the masses.

Opinions on CRT?

There are two takes to this and most people can’t (or won’t) draw the distinction. CRT is misunderstood just as BLM is misunderstood. For example: the lives of black individuals are very important but the BLM organization is Marxist. One, the first, is a “being a good human being concept” and the other is a policial agenda - very different. CRT is simply a theory meant to be debated in universities like whether institutional racism exists or not and is discussed with historical evidence, etc. Then there is the CRT political agenda which is meant to make all white people believe they are in inherently racists. The latter is toxic and extremely racist (sort of a bit of irony). The first, however, is a legit discussion that I feel should only be meant for universities not k-12. In any case, it’s not a part of my curriculum so I won’t be discussing the topic at all.

I’m all for it; I have been teaching it for 30 years. The truth is known, it just has not been taught in its fullness. I grew up outside the United States in so realized early that the official American version of things was not the way the rest of the world understood it, and when I moved to the states I realized it was the same within the country.

I’m a world citizen, and out of respect to my fellow humans, I will share the knowledge and information I have, and the skills so that people can understand and interpret it healthfully and correctly.

It doesn’t matter what subject you have a certificate in; we are adult humans and we want our students to grow up knowing as much of the truth as we have available.

While our country has its fair share of uneducated or mis-educated citizens, I can’t imagine a teacher who would be insecure enough not to share and discuss the truth of history with their students. 

For me, I realize our country has not always done everything right, and we still aren’t. However, I do believe that as long as we continue to focus on disparities we will continue to create segregation issues and more and more animosity between racial groups will grow. I really wish we could all focus our energy on making progress toward a better future. The past is gone. We can’t change history- for better or worse. The future is up to us to decide.

I think you can have an honest look at American history without guilt tripping white students for the bad choices of their ancestors. CRT's focus on the negative and its emphasis on race are really not healthy for students. Teaching that they are in a horrible, racist country does no one any good.

I don’t think Jesus would approve of CRT and either do I.

CRT is important to me as a teacher to aid my analysis and understanding of curricula and school site and district policies.

It’s also a framework for me to use to help my students think critically about current events and issues, as well as historical references.

It makes me a better teacher.

You cannot do away with racism by teaching racism.

Dr Martin Luther King JR said it all. Building children character is most important. CRT is a waste of time and energy.

It’s concerning to me that non history teachers are spending class time on this. The stats on how far behind our kids are in math and reading should be the focus.

This is one more sign, symptom and tactic depending on how deep you want to look at it.

Noble cause and intentions for many involved, wrong approach and some bad agents in the mix guiding this strategic move, and very bad ramifications in the long run if it continues (and it almost certainly will).

But that’s pretty much the norm for public education for the last 150ish years anyway.

Georgia, the thing I disagree with is starting a revolt based on a fictitious war.

WE are all teachers. Likely none of us were “teaching CRT” (let’s just say it). The Republicans started spewing it and then the tears started flowing.

WE are the teachers. WE know if we have been pressured to “teach CRT”. We haven’t, period.

Then, with the truth of that being too clear, they decided to talk about equity and so forth. Of course, we are asked to be equitable in our classrooms - of course! Now, it’s a problem.

I’m not falling for the rhetoric. It’s your choice if you do.

So much insight here! Focus on the positive and the possibility.

We should be careful about telling students( or any one else) they can’t succeed. They might believe you.
On the other hand when tell students ( or any one else) they can succeed they may believe us.

My thoughts on CRT are that people need to first understand it before actually using it. Don’t make assumptions or come up with a boogie man in your head. Sit down and read. Learn. If you don’t know what it is exactly, maybe you shouldn’t speak on it. If you come across some teaching materials that are labeled as CRT, check them against your teacher spidey senses. If they seem to challenge your personal beliefs, examine why you’re being challenged and decide if it’s worth the trouble. Above all, do the work. Don’t enter this arena unless you are willing to get pushed and to push back for all students.

You need to teach children how to think objectively before you can teach CRT. It seems now all children are taught now is how to think and what to think. Teaching CRT to young minds could divide our country even more. We have a bigger problem. It's called Low Math and English scores in the U.S.. CRT, should be an elective. Course taught in High School. It sounds more like indoctrination to me.

CRT is a college level class. Anyone who choses to take that class or study CRT is doing so by choice. CRT doesn't exist in K-12 public schools. What is being called CRT is actually just history.

My question to everyone is how would you define CRT? What does this look like in a classroom space?
I think teaching honest accurate history is important for everyone, not from a place of blame but of teaching/learning.

So after reading everything that people have to say, I want to add a sub question if you will humor me.

If this entire concept is designed for graduate students, why are states pushing its use and education of in the lower level schools? With that being said, I don't understand why people are banning it's existance in schools if the main concept of CRT is racism exists?

It's all about delivery. CRT has some amazing research and information. I will agree that some are using it with anger in teaching. That can be done with any information though. Teach with an unbiased mind and a loving heart. All information is useful.

It is always right to tell the truth.