As we shared in the first issue, every other month we will share articles, podcasts, videos and other content that is informed by and contributes to the conversation around racial equity. Each issue will be followed by a discussion session. The discussion session for this issue will be on December 7 at 7:00 pm. CLICK HERE to register. Below you will also find more information about the material for the next discussion group and news of coming events in our community and opportunities for further learning.
Over the past year, the phrase “critical race theory” has entered into our nation’s vernacular. Unfortunately, our discourse around the phrase, and the legal principles undergirding it, have clouded the important conversation around race and racial equity. We have heard public educators and politicians decry the notion that CRT would be taught in elementary schools, and at the same time hear the call from others to teach our nation’s history in a manner than honestly confronts and engages with the racially motivated decisions of generations past, the effects of which continue to this day.
What has troubled me over the past few months is how some, in their critique of critical race theory, have obfuscated or downright ignored a core truth of the theory, which is that it is a legal theory that was introduced to law school students. It has no more a place in elementary schools than does calculus or theoretical physics. At the same time, thinking about how our schools teach the racial truths of our nation’s history- in an age-appropriate manner- and thinking about how our schools and public institutions can act to make our communities more racially equitable is something that we should all be doing.
I am proud of this issue’s editors, Michelle Wasch Lobovits and Ken Namerow, for wanting to bring the hot-button of critical race theory to our attention, and have enjoyed reading, watching, and listening to the resources they curated. I’m looking forward to our discussion session on December 7, and hope that you will take the time to digest this information and join us on that evening.
In the first two issues of Equality, the content and ensuing discussions have been personal observations about our own experiences with racism, affirmative action and generally what our experiences have been growing up and as adults.
In the session on December 7, we will explore the origins of Critical Race Theory and how it intersects with White Affirmative Action.
Critical race theory is an approach to studying US policies and institutions that is most often taught in law schools in Constitution law class. It is a theory about how race and racism have shaped the law and, more importantly, its application. “We know that today racism is sustained more through law, policy and practices than through individual bias and discrimination,” said Boston University Law professor Jasmine Gonzales Rose, who teaches CRT. Critical race theory is about the structures that have contributed to continuing racism in our country. It is not about individual racism.
In the last session we were asked to listen to the Podcast on White Affirmative Action. In this podcast we learned how history has favored white people in land ownership, in housing and home ownership (related to the FHA loans), and in education (particularly as it relates to the GI Bill) which, in turn, created cumulative wealth in the white community that gave generations of white people a head start.
How does white affirmative action relate to critical race theory? Has critical race theory been misinterpreted by mainstream media, school boards and politicians?
The following is an excellent bibliography on the subject.
As you listen, read, and watch these resources, we encourage you to consider the following questions:
To Listen:
To Read:
To Watch:
Temple Beth El’s racial equity mission is to inspire our congregation and community to do our part to dismantle systemic racism and build a more just world through education, relationship building and advocacy.
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