What Is “Critical Race Theory”?
CRT emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when law professors explored how race and racism have shaped American law and society. It became a study of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its many unfulfilled goals decades later.
CRT does NOT vilify white people and is NOT a study on placing blame. It does educate us how racism has been woven into our laws and regulations. It should teach us to understand how racial disparities endure despite laws to discourage them.
Pam Altendorf, running for MN House 20A, and Steve Drazkowski, MN Senate 20 candidate, find it necessary to make “CRT” a political issue.
Mr. Drazkowski states on his website that he will remove CRT from classrooms. According to the MN Department of Education, CRT is not taught in any public school in Minnesota.
Social Studies is currently under a normal 10-year review with revised standards to be released in the 26-27 school year. In a proposed draft, ethnic studies will likely be added.
Please read candidate Altendorf’s statement on her website. She believes that CRT seeks to divide children and adults based on the color of one’s skin. We agree that racism is an individual “heart” issue, but to say that it is not collective or systemic is hard to believe.
After the murder of George Floyd, the Trump administration sent a memo to federal agencies to cease any training on “critical race theory”. Far right-wing politicians followed his lead to stop teaching equity and diversity in our schools.
American History, painted with a huge “white” brush, has been taught in our schools for decades. Our wish is to be represented by individuals that are open to change, have a vision, purpose and willing to include all races and cultures.
On November 8th, be part of history and vote for Minnesota Independent candidate for MN House 20A, Roger Kittelson. He will listen, has the experience in education, business, and common sense to be a great Representative. A candidate who will represent YOU and not a political party.
Dean & Diane Opsahl
Goodhue, MN
*Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of The Messenger
