Beyond Critical Race Theory

Abstract

Critical race theory (CRT) teaching currently plays a leading and controversial role in school board meetings; parent teacher meetings, media outlets, and in local, state, and national policy decision making. Proponents of CRT teaching maintain that students deserve an honest education that is free from omissions, distortion, and bias. Through the lens of CRT, students in grades K-16 learn history with accuracy and in developmentally appropriate ways. They explore transparently presented historical events and discuss contextual factors that led to these events as well as the progress that Americans have achieved over the last two centuries. This chapter addresses the impact of CRT teaching in learning transparent history, their resultant quest for more knowledge about marginalization and oppression, and their eagerness to “turn it around” and promote understanding and unity. Through enlisting the related practices of culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP), lessons and activities are illustrated in a content-integrated manner.