OPINION: Critical Race Theory would benefit Davis High curriculum

INFOGRAPHIC: Three points of Critical Race Theory.

By Xochitl Armién,

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

It is important for children to see themselves reflected in the curriculum and it is equally important for students of all colors to learn about the real history of our country whether or not it makes white people look good or feel comfortable. 

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a topic of legal study which originated in the 1970s when a group of civil rights legal scholars at Harvard Law school sought to bring focus to the impact that race and racism have on people and society.

Recently CRT has gained an increase in media attention across the U.S. as there has been talk of implementing CRT as a base for the mandated ethnic studies course in California school curriculums. 

CRT is offered as a college course at many universities across the U.S.. However, According to UC Davis Law professor Thomas Joo, it’s ideals can be adopted into just about any highschool course. 

“In an ideal world I’d like to see Critical Race Theory ideals reflected around the entire curriculum,” Joo said. “It’s a part of art, economics, political science and history.” 

Joo said that currently the education system in the U.S. is not representative of the population.  “America should be neutral in education,” Joo said. 

Although some parents in Davis welcome this idea, many are worried about their children being taught CRT. This is in part because there is much confusion as to what CRT really is. 

For parents who are worried about what Critical Race Theory would teach their children, Joo assures that “Critical Race Theory does not aim to make America the bad guy.” Instead, seeks to find the root and effect of racism and work against it. 

DHS Race and Social Justice teacher, Kevin Williams, explains that the concern that parents have that  their children would be taught to be guilty about being white isn’t substantial. 

¨If what people thought was happening was actually happening that would be of concern… it’s just not even close to reality,¨ Williams said.

CRT does not aim to blame individuals, instead it focuses on institutional racism.

So what are Davis schools doing to provide an unbiased education?

As far as diversifying the curriculum, DJUSD will be adding the state mandated ethnic studies class which includes CRT principles. However this would not come into effect until 2025. At this moment DHS´ Race and Social Justice in US History class is all we have in the department.

For the time being, for students who wish to learn more about their diverse history, Davis community activist Jann Murray Garcia suggests double studying, a technique created by Dereca Blackmon, for students of color (however not exclusive to them) to learn their history despite not being taught in school. Double studying entails the individual students studying the other sides of whitewashed topics learned in school on their own time.