Some very vocal parents and local activists claim that CRT teaches young Black kids that they are powerless to do anything about their situation. They worry that treating ideas like white privilege and systemic racism as settled social facts in the classroom gives kids the idea that Black and white people are permanently assigned to the categories of oppressed and oppressor. This is usually followed by some racist misunderstandings of
I've been trying to formulate a response to this ever since I first read it, but as a White Senior Citizen I every time I try it comes out sounding patronizing and wrong.
Sadly, I get why so many Professional-Class Men of Color put on the necktie and all that comes with it, and it's got a lot more to do with people like me than with people in the Black Community. They're trying to reform the System from within, and often (as with Obama, who became the poster child for what you're talking about) either don't see or refuse to acknowledge that the System has chewed, swallowed and digested them.
Unfortunately, Obama would have never gotten close to the Presidency if he hadn't "put on the necktie"—which was ultimately why he was such a disappointing President, and why despite all that I still admire him(!).
Great text! Maybe one day we will finally move past blaming individuals for everything and fighting for change collectively.
I've been trying to formulate a response to this ever since I first read it, but as a White Senior Citizen I every time I try it comes out sounding patronizing and wrong.
Sadly, I get why so many Professional-Class Men of Color put on the necktie and all that comes with it, and it's got a lot more to do with people like me than with people in the Black Community. They're trying to reform the System from within, and often (as with Obama, who became the poster child for what you're talking about) either don't see or refuse to acknowledge that the System has chewed, swallowed and digested them.
Unfortunately, Obama would have never gotten close to the Presidency if he hadn't "put on the necktie"—which was ultimately why he was such a disappointing President, and why despite all that I still admire him(!).
Also, I wish every teacher could have training with Gloria Ladson-Billings.
I so appreciate this entire piece. I just read it alternating vigorous nods with angry fists in the air.