I misread this as Idaho banning race science i.e. race realism and pseudoscience. Disappointed to see that they're actioning on critical theory courses, following the trend of conservative states tightening down on critical thinking and advanced studies courses.
"Critical Race Theory" seems to be the opposite of critical thinking: if students dare challenge any of its suppositions or express discomfort at being forced to share pronouns/talk about their race (esp. if non-white)/"admit" their racism (if white or "white adjacent"), then they seem to be at risk of bullying and abuse. See, for instance, the recent incident at UVA Medical School wherein the school expelled a student (a non-white one at that) for questioning the "micro aggressions" dogma.[1] Seems to me that students are often forced to accept CRT into their hearts, or pretend to, and those who don't are tarred and vilified as heretics. In other words, the exact opposite of "critical thinking."
EDIT: Gotta love the courageous readers who downvote but give zero indication why, especially when sources are cited. "Critical thinking," indeed!
I think it's important to mark a distinction between critical theory, the philosophical tool for analysis, and how critical theory can be taught (the unfortunate incidents you cite where white students are shamed or mistreated). In high school, I had the privilege to take several college courses at a local school relating to sociology, critical theory and analysis, philosophy (which included a section on CT), genocide studies, and other challenging subjects that these lawmakers might discard as 'leftist, Marxist' hooplah.
I was actually fairly conservative and religious at the time, and the context of these classes (with many of my classmates being conservative Cuban immigrants) is that so were my classmates. In an inclusive environment, where white students aren't bullied, courses like these can allow students to self-reflect, be observant, and open to difficult discussions with peers. Not only did it help me tremendously when transitioning to college, but it gave me the tools to navigate and analyze dense academic subjects. I went into tech, but many of my high school classmates who were able to participate in this program have become lawyers, educators, or are in graduate schools pursuing passions they found in courses like these.
I'm less scared of the often cited 'weaponization' of 'microaggressions' or 'PC culture' than I am of talented students being barred from advanced, challenging coursework because it's deemed 'too liberal' to be educated.
That's all fair enough, and I appreciate the response.
Two thoughts, though: I believe CRT is merely derived from but distinct from Critical Theory. Though I am quite to the right, my understanding is that "Critical Theory" is quite valid to study; CRT seems to basically consist of pseudoscientific nonsense, abuse and bullying.
Second, in some states (coincidentally, Virginia also came up recently) are ending advanced diplomas and programs for talented students, including advanced classes for high achievers. This is being done in the name of "racial equity," as elucidated in CRT.
My fear is sort of an inversion of yours: high achieving students will be held back in the name of this bizarre new Progressive "equity," while those who are low achieving (for whatever reason) are not helped at all.
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[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 24.8 ms ] thread"Critical Race Theory" seems to be the opposite of critical thinking: if students dare challenge any of its suppositions or express discomfort at being forced to share pronouns/talk about their race (esp. if non-white)/"admit" their racism (if white or "white adjacent"), then they seem to be at risk of bullying and abuse. See, for instance, the recent incident at UVA Medical School wherein the school expelled a student (a non-white one at that) for questioning the "micro aggressions" dogma.[1] Seems to me that students are often forced to accept CRT into their hearts, or pretend to, and those who don't are tarred and vilified as heretics. In other words, the exact opposite of "critical thinking."
EDIT: Gotta love the courageous readers who downvote but give zero indication why, especially when sources are cited. "Critical thinking," indeed!
[1] https://reason.com/2021/04/07/microaggressions-uva-student-k...
I was actually fairly conservative and religious at the time, and the context of these classes (with many of my classmates being conservative Cuban immigrants) is that so were my classmates. In an inclusive environment, where white students aren't bullied, courses like these can allow students to self-reflect, be observant, and open to difficult discussions with peers. Not only did it help me tremendously when transitioning to college, but it gave me the tools to navigate and analyze dense academic subjects. I went into tech, but many of my high school classmates who were able to participate in this program have become lawyers, educators, or are in graduate schools pursuing passions they found in courses like these.
I'm less scared of the often cited 'weaponization' of 'microaggressions' or 'PC culture' than I am of talented students being barred from advanced, challenging coursework because it's deemed 'too liberal' to be educated.
Two thoughts, though: I believe CRT is merely derived from but distinct from Critical Theory. Though I am quite to the right, my understanding is that "Critical Theory" is quite valid to study; CRT seems to basically consist of pseudoscientific nonsense, abuse and bullying.
Second, in some states (coincidentally, Virginia also came up recently) are ending advanced diplomas and programs for talented students, including advanced classes for high achievers. This is being done in the name of "racial equity," as elucidated in CRT.
My fear is sort of an inversion of yours: high achieving students will be held back in the name of this bizarre new Progressive "equity," while those who are low achieving (for whatever reason) are not helped at all.
Criticism with intent to destroy is not the same as criticism with intent to understand.