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Karen Hiltz, EdD, Guest Columnist

CRT: Illogical Theory with Rhetoric That’s Void of Common Sense

It’s an understatement to say the divisiveness of Critical Race Theory (CRT) continues. Those who oppose it are racist, bigot, anti-truth, white supremacist, and more. Those who embrace this theory believe it’s necessary in order to teach history, truth, and facts. How does one determine what’s right?

Let’s consider a couple of basic premises such as where this theory comes from and how it relates to the declining health of our education system.


Origins of CRT


Critical Race Theory is derived from critical theory, which is a social and political philosophy associated with the Frankfurt School. This school of thought comes from Marxist doctrine where social structure is based on a social class system. The utopian socialist ideology claims that bourgeoisie or capitalists must forfeit their surplus value, think profits, to ensure the proletariat or worker is given what the government says they are entitled to. In America we call this redistribution of wealth and resources.


Another point to ponder is that Marxism over the years has been adopted and modified by dictators such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro, and others. They claimed to want to build a more equitable society, but the truth is they became some of the most brutal tyrants in history. In addition, notice those promoting the theory weren’t charitable with the wealth they amassed.


Opportunity and Choice for America


From this the term equity of outcomes thinking was derived and it’s why the CRT translation of equity does not equate to equal opportunity. America is a capitalist economy. The founding fathers knew free market ideas were essential to affording opportunity and success. They chose to flee England under the rule of King George III where there was a class system that included serfdom and poverty. They knew the disparity between success and failure came from the freedom to choose. Therefore, our founders wisely sought a system of opportunity and choice.


This leads to the importance of understanding how choices facilitate decision making. One may not think much about making decisions because we make them every day. We decide what to eat, where to shop, which gas station we prefer, or simply whether to attend a local community meeting or not.


On the other hand, decisions can have dire consequences when ample information and communication isn’t furnished. That’s why it’s critical to recognize the role education has in our society. Schools employ individuals who are expected to transfer knowledge to assist with creating good citizens. When insufficient or non-relevant information is provided students are not well served, which often proves to be harmful. When only one or limited perspectives are introduced during the learning process this will result in unintended consequences.


One thing is clear – what students learn has a direct effect on how families, jobs, finances, relationships, and lives unfold and whether the results will produce positive or negative outcomes.


Declining Academic IQ


Enter CRT along with like theories and ideologies that have been inserted into the K-12 environment. When the focus is placed on how a child feels about a particular thing or situation or no consequences are given based on poor behavior or performance, this results in developing an emotional vs. academic IQ. Over the past several decades, students have been forced to focus on subjects that are, in some ways, hostile to being a good citizen. What they have learned is how to manipulate the system to their advantage.


This reckless focus on race, gender, economic status, or some other social label only continues to divide and breed failure. The rise in poor behavior causes parents to be concerned with safety. The decrease in reading and math scores as well as other subjects cause parents to seek alternative educational environments. The unwillingness of school boards and administrators to listen to parents’ concerns and work with parents only exacerbates the divide. What students are learning matters. Unless these Marxist tenets are eradicated from K-12 curriculum and the classroom, test scores will continue to spiral downward. The test scores gap will not be reduced. There will be no increase in the academic IQ of our students.


What We Need is Common Sense


Some claim a belief in God is racist. Higher learning standards are racist. The name of a school or building can be racist. Historical statues represent racism. The way to combat anti-racism is to interject more racism. When will this lunacy stop?


It’s unbelievable that a theory can be so divisive, illogical, and void of common sense and yet so many take it as gospel. Supporting a strictly black or white (pun intended) perspective on what we know instinctively to be right vs. wrong defies logic. Yes, there usually is some gray area, but those who show respect, apply thought, and believe in humanity will see that America is not an inherently or systemically racist nation. We are simply human beings trying to make the best of our situation with the skills and talents the Almighty Father has blessed us with.


One-size-fits-all begets group think which begets outcomes that fail our students. We need viable, realistic solutions. Let us be wise and discerning rather than spew ignorant rhetoric that’s void of common sense.


Karen Hiltz, a speaker and author from Sebastian, FL, is a Navy veteran, retired federal procurement professional and former professor of business and public school board member. She has a BA and MBA in Management and an EdD in Leadership Studies.


  • Critical race theory

  • Marxism

  • Race consciousness

  • Equity

  • Virtual learning

  • public schools

  • 10th Amendment

  • declining test scores

  • federal education mandates

  • equal opportunity

225 views8 comments

8 commentaires


startrek3010
23 août 2021

"Void of common sense" actually could be applied to most, if not all ideas tossed out by liberals, folks.

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startrek3010
24 août 2021
En réponse à

Not to mention socialists. Thanx!

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davecamp
23 août 2021

"When will this lunacy stop?"


When people stop being afraid of being called racist. And that can be accomplished because, as one segment of the Greg Gutfeld show is not so sarcastically titled "Everthing is Racist" suggests, once evrything is racist, nothing is racist.

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startrek3010
24 août 2021
En réponse à

The left will say you are a racist, Rosie, as is yours truly--I completely agree with you. When the next 9/11 occurs, the "lame stream media," as Rush called them, will look and act stupid and confused.

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van.snyder
van.snyder
23 août 2021

The administration at the University of Wisconsin removed a racist boulder from the UW Madison campus.

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Jonathan Freed
Jonathan Freed
23 août 2021

How about we remain critical OF Critical Race Theory, resume teaching facts not feelings, and make math and English great again? Throw in a senior year class of critical financial facts like balancing your checkbook, investing in the stock market & real estate (buying vs. renting), compound interest, insurance, and starting a home-based or other business? Capitalize on capitalism and work towards equality of outcome through guided participation in equality of opportunity.

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