Critical Race Theory
What is CRT?
Critical Race Theory, or CRT, is an academic and legal framework that denotes that systemic racism is part of American society — from education and housing to employment and healthcare. Critical Race Theory recognizes that racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice. It is embedded in laws, policies and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities. According to CRT, societal issues like Black Americans’ higher mortality rate, outsized exposure to police violence, the school-to-prison pipeline, denial of affordable housing, and the rates of the death of Black women in childbirth are not unrelated anomalies.
True or False... TIC comes natural?
False
Who or what is an educator?
Someone who provides education or instruction... a teacher.
Can we all just get along?!
hmmm...
True or False: Black students are more likely to be suspended from preschool than white students.
True.
Black students make up 18% of all preschoolers, but represent almost 50% of all preschool suspensions. Compare that to white kids, who make up 43% of all preschool enrollment, yet represent 26% of those receiving suspensions.
Who created CRT
CRT was first developed by legal scholars in the 1970s and ‘80s following the Civil Rights Movement. It was, in part, a response to the notion that society and institutions were “colorblind.” CRT holds that racism was not and has never been eradicated from our laws, policies, or institutions, and is still woven into the fabric of their existence.
How will your students ask for help?
Anger/Aggression
Cries/SIB
Absence in class/Lack of interest
*Many answers can be given*
True or false? Educators know all their students?
False
A white person who takes action to help non-white people
White Savior
What is systemic racism?
Johnson defined systemic racism, also called structural racism or institutional racism, as "systems and structures that have procedures or processes that disadvantages African Americans."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/15/systemic-racism-what-does-mean/5343549002/
Why should I care about CRT?
Critical Race Theory should be embraced as a framework to develop laws and policies that can dismantle structural inequities and systemic racism. Building a more equitable future requires an examination of how the shameful history of slavery, caste, and systemic racism were foundational to laws and institutions that exist today.
What does trauma-informed teaching start in the eyes of a teacher?
Trauma-informed teaching starts with an understanding of how trauma can impact learning and behavior. With this approach, educators think about what student behavior may be telling them. And they reflect on their teaching practices to find ways to better support students who may be experiencing trauma.
What are some examples of micro-aggressions from teachers towards their students? (Name 3)
Some examples of micro-aggressions include teachers continuously mispronouncing students' names, students repeatedly being asked for IDs when entering schools, and educators being hypervigilant about the behavior of students of color in the hallways, at recess, or in the cafeteria.
Do we all have implicit bias? What is it? (Need to answer both questions)
Yes, we all have implicit bias. Generally speaking, you can think of implicit bias as "thoughts about people you didn't know you had".
Debate Style: SROs or no? Defend you answer with support from class, personal research or life experiences.
responses may vary...
Why did CRT suddenly become under fire?
After the historic 2020 election, which included record turnout among Black voters, states passed the strictest voting laws in decades. When millions of people took to the streets to protest police violence, states responded by passing laws criminalizing protest. Now, as individuals across the country, of all races and backgrounds, are coming to recognize the history of systemic racism and its ongoing impact, states are responding by attempting to silence discussions of these issues. The bans are part of a coordinated backlash to the realization of a true multi-racial democracy in America.
True or False: Trauma may sometimes be misidentified as ADHD.
Trauma might sometimes be misidentified as ADHD since the symptoms have a lot of overlap. Hyperactivity, restlessness, disorganization, and trouble focusing can be signs of either trauma or ADHD.
How do you become a great educator?
Time, vulnerability, accepting constructive criticism, knowing your students...
True or False: Anti-racism is a way of life.
True: Anti-racism is a way of life. Like starting any new habit, anti-racism requires a conscious decision to pursue it as a goal and way of being. Intention brings mindful presence and awareness to what we say and what we do. Setting the intention to have an open heart and open mind in order to be anti-racist affects how one shows up. Present-moment awareness links with our intention to pull us out of autopilot and into conscious pursuit of our goals.
There are gaps in students groups in which many suffer from getting a good education. Can you name 3 of these groups?
Students from low-income households
Students with disabilities
Students experiencing homelessness
Students in foster care
Students who are English-language learners
Students of different races and/or ethnicities
Why do some lawmakers want to ban CRT?
Bans on “critical race theory” are bans on truth and history. Critical Race Theory is not taught in K-12 schools. These laws seek to ban the teaching of a true American history and all of its racist elements. These laws ban virtually any discussions about how racism has shaped our nation’s policies and history- from education and housing to employment and healthcare. Ultimately, these laws are blanket bans on racial discourse and attempt to deny our nation’s shameful legacy of racial oppression. These bans are attacks on free speech that silence those who speak the truth about our nation’s history.
Can you name 3 TIC principles?
Educator vs teacher... is there a difference?
A teacher is one who teaches: one whose occupation is to instruct versus an educator, who is skilled in teaching...
What is: inequality, equity, equality and justice?
100 Bonus Points: Provide examples for each!
Inequality: Unequal access to opportunities
Equity: Dividing resources fairly and equally, but also factoring in difference amongst people. Differences such as race and SES that would require different support to ensure the same opportunity of success.
Equality: Evenly distributed tools and assistance to every group
Justice: Long-term equity. Aims to create equity in systems as well as individuals. Fixing the system to offer equal access to both tools and opportunities.
Many school systems remain segregated, with schools that are anything but equal. Schools attended predominately by people of color are chronically underfunded. Kids at these underfunded schools regularly have less experienced and even unlicensed teachers. Their academic performance suffers as a result, which can lead many to drop out, while putting the dream of college at risk for those who remain.
BONUS ANSWER: 1954 Brown v. the Board of Education case officially did away with the doctrine of "separate but equal".