Critical Race Theory

The Voyager 11

Critical race theory education: An ask and an answer

By ANTONIA ZONG ‘22 Managing Editor

Is it morally wrong to teach the truth about a nation’s history? Most likely not. Is it constitutional ucation such as colleges, universities, and graduate schools. Even when CRT studies are available in most colleges, they are to prohibit the teaching of Black history in America? Again, doubtful. The social construct of race has been swirling in controversy ever since critical race theory first emerged in the U.S. Developed by multiple American scholars, this theory admits to the fact that racism exists in this nation’s legal systems, and that people of color still suffer from oppression. It shouldn’t be difficult to comprehend, right? The Jim Crow Laws that clouded over southern U.S until the late 1950s can attest to that. The famed Plessy v. Ferguson case is the legal abomination that began the phrase “separate but equal.” This prompts the question: why is critical race theory so crucial to young American education? The social history of Black Americans is, in reality, half of the American story. Black workers were the core behind the boom of American infrastructure. Long before white American women joined the labor force during World War II, 50% of Black women had already made their debut into the workforce. Unlike their caucasian counterparts, however, there wasn’t a grand fanfare of their empowerment in the newspapers. Their success and story were swept under the rug, including much of their miniscule wages that never seemed to match the amount of labor they put out. Stories such as this one can only be revealed through discussions of critical race theory, where the primary focus is on the arbitrary treatment that Black women faced in the American labor force. By studying the historical roots of American racism, upcoming students and future leaders will be able to look into modern issues, such as an existing racial pay gap. Despite its importance, however, critical race theory isn’t explicitly taught in K-12 schools at all. The subject is only offered as an official course of study in higher edstill limited to certain disciplines. Critics such as conservative organization, Heritage Foundation, accused critical race theory as the root to “disruptive issues” such as the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and LGBTQ+ diversity in school clubs. In reality, CRT was developed to magnify the effort to understand the peculiarity to systemic racism in America. Political discourse such as this one further misconstrues CRT as a single educational idea that contains any number of identities. No matter how much it is weaponized in politics, critical race theory remains an educational gateway towards the truth in America’s legal systems. New Jersey is no stranger to this debate, as a recent legislation has been proposed regarding critical race theory education. Legislation No. 4166, proposed by senators Michael L. Testa Jr. and Chris Canella, formally restricts the teaching of critical race theory in classrooms. If passed, this law would take effect immediately the next school year. On the exterior, this bill exudes censorship of historical ethics and even current events. According to the 4166 Legislation, educators are prohibited to discuss that “the rule of law does not exist but instead is a series of power relationships and struggles among racial and other groups.” The irony that exists in this statement is almost baffling, considering that the rule of American law had consistently been dictated by eurocentric values. American law in its entirety has promoted a social culture in which causasian males retain so much privilege. Indeed, this blatancy has become significantly less prominent in American society today, but a more prejudiced one in the early 1900s must still be taught and discussed in the classroom. Another censored topic that’s dubbed as critical race theory is that “governments should deny to any person within the government’s jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.” This issue is unnervingly current, which goes hand in hand with another CRT goal: to discuss culturally relevant issues that could account for social injustice in current society. If anything, the muder of George Floyd is a prime example of the American legal system failing to protect one of its own. Open discussion of this in public schools enables students to learn why and how this is happening in the 21st century. Censorship on this topic largely eliminates a space for inquisitive students to have structured discussions on the realities of the American racial diaspora. However, it must be noted that the depth of understanding towards critical race theory varies with each type of schooling. K-12 schools are only exposed to the tip of the iceberg if teachers wish to do so. Exposure to CRT at the K-12 education level will primarily take form in academic

Proposition of the NJ S-4166 Bill raises concerns over critical race theory education. Photo from Canva.com debates, or small inclinations to the topic in U.S History courses. Universities take a much deeper dive into sociology, psychology, and the history behind critical race theory. Students can actively engage in research with other professors or immerse themselves in researching CRT for the college thesis. Declaring critical race theory in public education as a violation of the law shows not only worrisome censorship, but also a misunderstanding of what this concept truly is. Its purpose is not to brazenly accuse a certain race of oppressing another. Rather, it’s a continuous quest to understand why certain laws had such a profound impact on racial disparities in America. How did the supposed “objectiveness” of the legal system pass a law such as Plessy v. Ferguson? Critical race theory education is an attempt to answer such questions with young, fresh minds. So before we blindly take it away, perhaps looking at this concept with sincere empathy and optimism will bring these long-awaited answers to so many Americans. How to prepare yourself for a successful Monday

By JENNA PRESTON ‘22

Associate Editor-in-Chief onday mornings can be stressful for some people even before the day begins. There’s no need to be anxious if you prepare for a successful Monday the night before. You know exactly what you’re working towards if you plan on Sunday evening. Not only will you be able to organize your week ahead of time, but you will also be able to reduce the tension and anxiety that comes with the start of a new week. The first step is to identify the most important tasks that must be completed. Open your planner or make a to-do list. There has to be one or two things you really want to get done earlier in the week so that you can relax and enjoy your weekend without the stress of unfinished responsibilities. You are storing everything you need to do in your head by opening a new page in a planner or building up your schedule. Dump everything onto a piece of paper and compile a list of everything you need to do. A brain dump is an excellent technique to get ahead of the game while keeping everything in one place. Make a schedule and select when you’ll be able to finish the tasks. You won’t be overburdened with work if you spread them out over the course of the week. If you know what you have to do each week, there won’t be any unpleasant shocks or alterations to your lifestyle and interests. If you know what you need to get done in the first few days of the week, try to get started or finish things on Sunday. If you finish them ahead of time, you’ll have more time in your week for other things. Working on your procrastination and aiming to make an effective schedule in your life, despite how difficult it may be, can only help you achieve. This may appear to be a tedious and strict routine to stick to, but it will only benefit you in the long run. Don’t let your life fall undone because you’re too consumed with getting everything done and overworking yourself. The objective of all the planning is to ensure that you have enough time to relax and enjoy your life once the task is done. You’re attempting to become the most successful, organized, and stress-free version of yourself. Use Sunday as an errand day if you want to take it a step further in your preparations. That could mean you need to go grocery shopping, do some housework, or clean up your room. If you designate Sunday as a day that will improve the rest of your week, go for it! It’s not necessary to make it a full-fledged cleaning day, but it does help to straighten up and organize your environment. It will make everything easier if you live in an easy-to-live-in atmosphere. If you’ve had a pile of clutter in your room for a while, Sunday is the day to finally get rid of it! You’ll feel much more productive and have more space in your room to accomplish everything you need to without the mess and stress. Make a good decision for yourself, and that Monday morning will be so much easier!

Is the world’s response to Russia appropriate?

By MICHAEL SORENSEN ‘22

Staff Reporter ussia has launched an invasion the likes of which hasn’t been seen in Europe since World War II. An act of aggression this size must’ve been met with a large response, right? Yes and no. The majority of nations are put in a difficult situation with few options. Although the invasion has received an international reaction of condemnation, the most that any country has been willing to do is to sanction Russia and help Ukraine as much as possible without directly engaging in the conflict. Rather than sending troops into Ukraine to fight alongside them directly, nations are coordinating financial sanctions on Russia, freezing Russia’s money in their banks, sending weapons to Ukraine, providing billions of dollars in monetary aid, and allowing Ukrainian refugees into their countries. The nations of the world are employing this nearly unanimously, excluding a few countries that are abstaining, such as China, or Russian allies. At face value, not directly engaging may seem like a reaction of ignorance and cowardice. However, reasons for this are justified. M R In the current day, a conflict between two large nations with nuclear weapons is a red line that is not crossed. Putin has already ordered his nuclear forces to be on high alert. Therefore, if any nation directly sends military personnel into Ukraine, it is risking nuclear retaliation. A nuclear war would have catastrophically-high casualties, compared to what is already happening The most that any in Ukraine. If any country has been nation contributes to this war, they willing to do is to have to do it in a sanction Russia way that complies with international and help Ukraine as law. In the worst case scenario, the much as possible world may only without directly help Ukraine prepare for the fall of engaging in its capital, Kyiv, the conflict. and the eviction of the democratically-operated Ukrainian government. The West may not be engaging further because of the effect that certain sanctions would have on the Western world. 45% of Europe’s gas imports are from Russia, 40% of which is the total amount used in Europe. The world must account for all of these factors, overcome the challenges, and take the appropriate course of action before time runs out in this rapidly-moving war.