4 ms·

I think this line of argument, which is typical, that 'critical race theory' isn't being taught in schools is disingenuous. This is like saying they don't teac

I think this line of argument, which is typical, that 'critical race theory' isn't being taught in schools is disingenuous. This is like saying they don't teach about gravity in grade school because they don't teach general relativity. The grade school-level materials that are derived from this stuff teach bumper sticker versions of the 'america is systemically racist blah blah' line of lefty claptrap. It's not just discussion of racial issues, it is using race as a line of critique of the founding ideas of the USA and western liberalism in general. So when people make this kind of argument, I know the extent of their knowledge on the topic is perhaps several rachel maddow segments.

ajross 4y ago
Yeah, this turned into the digression I'd have expected. But since you're being nice, I'll engage. > [Grade schools] teach bumper sticker versions of the 'america is systemically racist blah blah' lefty claptrap They do not. They simply do not. I know you won't believe it, but they don't (source: have sent two kids through grade school in exactly the kind of deep blue public school district you no doubt fear the most). They do spend a lot of time telling the kids in various frames to be nice to everyone, and that everyone has different backgrounds and that we should respect that stuff. I don't know what your sourcing is, but... maybe get out there and speak to some teachers and talk to some kids? The world isn't remotely as messed up as you've been led to believe. Schools are nice places. Much nicer than the ones I attended, frankly.
- anonymouskimmer 4y ago
  Writing against the absolute statements made by you and the person you're responding to: There are on the order of 40,000 grade schools in the US, IIRC. There are going to be grade school teachers who indoctrinate or browbeat their students with the worst of the entire political spectrum.
  - ajross 4y ago
    Sure, but not at the curriculum level. You can't regulate away the presence of bad teachers. The question was effectively "Are they teaching grade schoolers CRT lefty claptrap [as a matter of policy such that it is appropriate to legislate about]?". And the answer is simply no.
    - nerdponx 4y ago
      Meanwhile, large parts of the country are still teaching grade schoolers right-wing revisionist jingoistic claptrap (and occasionally anti-scientific religious fundamentalist claptrap), and that is widely known to be ensconced in the curriculum.
- nerdponx 4y ago
  I'd like to add to this by stating that CRT itself seems very big on the premise that everyone is different and has their own unique collection of life experiences, and that those differences are good and valuable. That particular subset of CRT is basically Critical Sesame Street Theory, and I don't think that's a particularly controversial way to teach our children.

ajross 4y ago

Yeah, this turned into the digression I'd have expected. But since you're being nice, I'll engage. > [Grade schools] teach bumper sticker versions of the 'america is systemically racist blah blah' lefty claptrap They do not. They simply do not. I know you won't believe it, but they don't (source: have sent two kids through grade school in exactly the kind of deep blue public school district you no doubt fear the most). They do spend a lot of time telling the kids in various frames to be nice to everyone, and that everyone has different backgrounds and that we should respect that stuff. I don't know what your sourcing is, but... maybe get out there and speak to some teachers and talk to some kids? The world isn't remotely as messed up as you've been led to believe. Schools are nice places. Much nicer than the ones I attended, frankly.

anonymouskimmer 4y ago
Writing against the absolute statements made by you and the person you're responding to: There are on the order of 40,000 grade schools in the US, IIRC. There are going to be grade school teachers who indoctrinate or browbeat their students with the worst of the entire political spectrum.
- ajross 4y ago
  Sure, but not at the curriculum level. You can't regulate away the presence of bad teachers. The question was effectively "Are they teaching grade schoolers CRT lefty claptrap [as a matter of policy such that it is appropriate to legislate about]?". And the answer is simply no.
  - nerdponx 4y ago
    Meanwhile, large parts of the country are still teaching grade schoolers right-wing revisionist jingoistic claptrap (and occasionally anti-scientific religious fundamentalist claptrap), and that is widely known to be ensconced in the curriculum.
nerdponx 4y ago
I'd like to add to this by stating that CRT itself seems very big on the premise that everyone is different and has their own unique collection of life experiences, and that those differences are good and valuable. That particular subset of CRT is basically Critical Sesame Street Theory, and I don't think that's a particularly controversial way to teach our children.