Commonwealth Policy Center

Critical race theory has dominated political discussions this summer as many state legislatures, including Kentucky, have proposed to ban its teaching in public schools. State Rep. Attica Scott (D-Louisville) disagrees with this proposal and instead has proposed that the curriculum teach the history of racism in America. This would include the slave trade, the Civil War, Jim Crow laws, and other racist policies. Scott says some schools do a better job of teaching this history than others. We should certainly teach all aspects of American history. But we should first ask, What worldview will underlie this particular teaching in public schools? If it’s from the viewpoint of CRT, then teaching on the history of racism will not lead to true racial reconciliation. Rather, our students will be indoctrinated, and we will be further divided.