ATTACKING CRITICAL RACE THEORY (CRT): A REPUBLICAN PLOT TO STIFLE EDUCATION AND DEMOCRACY
The GOP is using the made-up threat against a non-existent problem to stifle our children's education, deny the contributions made by people of color, and destroy our democracy
QUICK READ: Our democracy is under siege and the Republican Party is using CRT as a weapon to foster racial and class divisions by instilling fear within the white community. This cynical ploy has gained traction during the past year and played a pivotal role in the Virginia elections. It has precipitated numerous conflicts between parents, students, and school boards.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Republicans use Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a “wedge issue,” among the white working-class and white suburbanites to instill fear of growing black influence. Parents are told that instead of learning the “basics”, their children are brainwashed and shamed for being white.
CRT is rarely taught at the K-12 level. It is an academic and legal framework used in Graduate and Professional classes to explore how racism is embedded in laws, policies, and institutions from education to health care.
Weaponizing CRT has been part of Republicans racist traditions dating back to Goldwater’s Southern Strategy, and Willie Horton threat, These attacks are powerful weapons in the Republican arsenal. To date, more than 28 states have proposed legislation banning the teaching of CRT.
This well-financed, coordinated national campaign deleteriously affects the quality of education and our democratic future by
discouraging essential critical thinking skills
stifling discussion about fundamental aspects of our history
-preventing students from using past mistakes to create a just and more equitable future
discouraging students from pursuing their dreams.
turning parents against each other and school board meetings into warring camps.
stifling freedom of speech and democracy.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
A high-quality education is key to maintaining our democracy which is hanging by a thread. We urge you to
- defend teaching about our racialized past in schools.
- help organize hearings on the role of right-wing groups to stifle discussions about the historical roots of inequality as well as efforts of state legislatures to punish those school district that do so.
- push that Federal Funds be cut off to those states and school districts which ban discussions of teaching about any forms of social inequality.
- support the John Lewis Voting Rights Bill and the Freedom to Vote Act, which are essential to combating the history of racism in our country.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
A high-quality education is key to maintaining our democracy which is hanging by a thread. We urge you to
- defend teaching about our racialized past in schools.
- help organize hearings on the role of right-wing groups to stifle discussions about the historical roots of inequality as well as efforts of state legislatures to punish those school district that do so.
- push that Federal Funds be cut off to those states and school districts which ban discussions of teaching about any forms of social inequality.
- support the John Lewis Voting Rights Bill and the Freedom to Vote Act, which are essential to combating the history of racism in our country.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
High-quality education for all our children is essential to preserving democracy. Do not let them down.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
A high-quality education is key to maintaining our democracy which is hanging by thread. We urge you to
- defend appropriate teaching about our racialized past in schools.
- help organize Senator hearings on the role of right-wing groups to stifle discussions about the historical roots of inequality as well as efforts of state legislatures to punish those school districts that do so.
- push that Federal Funds be cut off to those states and school districts which ban discussions of teaching about any forms of social inequality.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
High-quality education for all our children is essential to preserving democracy. Do not let them down.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
A high-quality education is key to maintaining our democracy which is hanging by thread. We urge you to
- defend appropriate teaching about our racialized past in schools.
- help organize Senator hearings on the role of right-wing groups to stifle discussions about the historical roots of inequality as well as efforts of state legislatures to punish those school districts that do so.
- push that Federal Funds be cut off to those states and school districts which ban discussions of teaching about any forms of social inequality.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
A high-quality education is key to maintaining our democracy which is hanging by thread. We urge you to
- defend appropriate teaching about our racialized past in schools.
- help organize Senator hearings on the role of right-wing groups to stifle discussions about the historical roots of inequality as well as efforts of state legislatures to punish those school districts that do so.
- push that Federal Funds be cut off to those states and school districts which ban discussions of teaching about any forms of social inequality.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
A high-quality education is key to maintaining our democracy which is hanging by thread. We urge you to
- defend appropriate teaching about our racialized past in schools.
- help organize Senator hearings on the role of right-wing groups to stifle discussions about the historical roots of inequality as well as efforts of state legislatures to punish those school districts that do so.
- push that Federal Funds be cut off to those states and school districts which ban discussions of teaching about any forms of social inequality.
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY,
FRIDAY, NOV. 19, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/
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FURTHER READING:
What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? – Education Week
Why are states banning critical race theory? - Brookings
A Lesson on Critical Race Theory - American Bar Association
Critical Race Theory: A Brief History - The New York Times
Explainer: What 'critical race theory' means and why it's igniting debate-Reuters
