Should critical race theory be taught in our schools?

Should critical race theory be taught in our schools?

Critical race theory should be taught in schools of education to those who develop curricula and write text books. Should it be used in law? Maybe in the reform of law, but lawyers need to think about precedent and policy from the legislative branch. As far as Congress and state legislatures, no theory is needed. We know what is wrong. The question is, how to fix it. 

Cultural Bias Theory - which is what way of life people chose - hierarchy, egalitarianism, individualism and authoritarianism - and how they relate to each other is useful for understanding political and social theory. It is college level work.

Unconscious bias theory is different from critical race theory. It is part of psychology and biology and would be helpful in dealing with theology and ethics. Its premise is that some behaviors are the result of automatic reaction (racism is one of these things) and others are thought out (like overcoming automatic behaviors). This should be taught in schools - and to adults who watch Fox News.

Critical race theory is essential for designing Catholic school history curricula. Urban school children need the facts of their own history. So should students in elite (White) Catholic schools, including the Church's sins of omission in not fighting racism at first, as well as in allying itself with Racist in Chief Donald Trump - although it may take some time for tempers to cool and bishops to be confronted before going there. The Church's complicity with White Flight must also be mentioned.

Teaching critical race theory is like teaching about creationism. It is useful to teach high school students about the controversy, which opens the door to factual analysis. The 1619 Project should be the 1630 Project, which was when John Punch was brought to America as a slave rather than as a bondsman. 

How opposition to slavery influenced collaboration with the British is a real thing - the Allen Family of New Jersey (and other Quakers) is a case in point. The place to look for attitudes in opposition to slavery in the revolution is among the refugees to Canada and the Caribbean. Where people settled had to do with where they were from and how they felt about slavery. 

Some of my Allen ancestors from Vermont fought alongside their cousin Ethan. Eventually some made it to Canada. Why is not known to present descendents, but it may have been because Tilton Orlando Allen married Mahalah Ann Eastman, whose family moved to Arkona, Ontario in the early 19th Century. They eventually moved back across the border. Tilton was descended from Lt. Thomas Allen. His wife was descended from Quaker Allens. Family histories are where to look for who was on what side, not civil records.