Do they teach critical race theory in schools?
THE subject of race and how it should be taught in the United States has faced pushbacks by Republican lawmakers and officials in the education system. In May, a wealthy suburban school district in Texas recently voted to keep critical race theory from being taught in classrooms. Critical race theory is a way of thinking about America's history through the lens of racism. Scholars developed it during the 1970s and 1980s in response to what they viewed as a lack of racial progress following the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. Critical race theorists maintain that legal institutions in the US "function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans." The architects of the theory argue that the United States was founded on the theft of land and labor, and that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people based on race. There is no evidence that critical race theory is being taught in American public schools grades K-12. However, some ideas related to the subject - like the lingering consequences of slavery have been taught. Many Republicans view the concepts underlying critical race theory as an effort to rewrite American history and persuade white people that they are inherently racist and should feel guilty because of their advantages. Republicans often cite the 1619 Project as a cause for concern. 4 There is not evidence critical race theory is being taught in American public schools Credit: Reuters  The New York Times initiative, published in 2019, aimed to tell a fuller story of the countrys history by putting slavery at the center of Americas founding. Critical race theory popped into the mainstream in September 2020 when former President Donald Trump addressed it and the 1619 Project as part of a White House event focused on the nations history. Currently, five states prohibit the teaching about structural racism, as legislation is underway in at least 15 more states. These states include:  Idaho  Iowa  Oklahoma  Texas  Tennessee  Oklahoma's law mandates that lessons should not make an individual feel "discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race." Some statewide bills go as far as to ban teaching about the very structures and systems that led to enslavement and the ongoing iterations of how these structures continue to manifest in policing, redlining, voter suppression laws and more. 4 Five US states prohibit the teaching about structural racism Credit: Reuters  Texas' HB 3979 law bans public school teachers from requiring students to read specific educational materials or even learn about particular ideas - specifically the idea that "the advent of slavery constituted the true founding of the US." The law also forbids teachers from even teaching the 1619 Project. The law also requires teachers to present specific people and ideas in American history. Most read in News TOWER OF TERROR Mass deaths feared after 12-story building falls & 'witnesses hear screams' HUNTER BUSTED Hunter 'paid "Emerald Fantasy" prostitute after ordering girl to chateau' Latest KAM-ERA SHY Biden announces $1TRILLION deal - as Kamala awkwardly lurks in background SCARY SMASH Rapper Tory Lanez reveals he almost died in car accident while riding in Uber PAEDO MISS Teacher molested boy after telling him you dont have balls to touch me' Breaking Q MYSTERY McAfees Instagram DELETED after account posted cryptic Q in wake of suicide  The legislation also aims to prevent teachers from discussing anything in those stories that might hint at inherent racism or slavery. Legislators behind the Idaho bill said critical race theory tries to make kids feel bad.  Tennessee lawmakers said teaching about racism promotes division, and a pending bill in Rhode Island bans teaching the idea that the United States of America is fundamentally racist or sexist.