Defenders of Critical Race Theory (CRT) often describe it as an “academic framework.” Columbus Academy’s own defense of its curriculum describes CRT as a term used to “describe various historical and theoretical approaches to understanding the role of race in America” and one that refers to “the writings of specific scholars.” (Emphasis added). And yet, CRT fundamentally rejects foundational scholarly principles of skepticism and empirical observation.
Critical Race Theory proponents take it as self-evident that racism is the only possible explanation for differential outcomes (i.e., inequity). To these advocates, the presence of differential outcomes is itself evidence of a “rigged system.” No further explanation is necessary.
In no other legitimate academic discipline would this lack of empirical rigor suffice.
And yet, any dissent from Critical Race Theory orthodoxy is treated not as healthy skepticism, but as evidence of the dissenter’s racism. Demands for evidence supporting CRT’s assertions are summarily dismissed as “white fragility” and “privilege.”
Even Columbus Academy’s own statement belies its description of CRT as scholarly endeavor. In explaining why the school’s United Against Racism document addresses only African Americans while excluding “Hispanic and Latino individuals and other minority groups*,” Columbus Academy states, “Because the lived experiences of African Americans were a specific and heightened focus of national dialogue at that time, the school similarly focused its ‘United Against Racism’ publication and related activities on the challenges faced by African Americans in particular.”
In other words, the school’s focus on Black Americans was dictated not by scholarly research or empirical evidence, but by the national media. Critical Race Theory is not an academic pursuit. Rather, it is emotional catharsis and a sort of secular religion.
This explains why the advancement of CRT principles has not been limited to social studies and history classes. Instead, it now permeates courses on math, the physical sciences, and indeed all aspects of the curriculum at Columbus Academy. This is also why we so strongly oppose CRT and why we believe it is so important to expose the hypocrisy of its advocates within our school.
* Apparently, racism against Asians isn’t worth addressing, even in a specific response to the document’s lack of inclusivity. And apparently, Columbus Academy believes it’s not possible to be racist against a non-minority group.