Republican Objections to Critical Race Theory, Gender Equality Issues, Are Deliberately Misleading

"I Teach the Things Republicans Are Trying to Outlaw: Here's What We Actually Teach"  (link to article)

There are times when I find myself scratching my head over something that Marjorie Taylor Green or Lauren Boebert, or even Ted Cruz, says about Critical Race Theory, what it is and what is being taught about it in the schools.  The big deal for them is that white students, specifically white male students, should not be made to feel discomfort because CRT tells them they are inherently racist.  They play on the fears of the loss of social power by whites, particularly by white men.  They claim that any education on sexual orientation or gender identity is "grooming" the students, putting ideas into their head.  

What's interesting about the Republican claims is that they confirm the accuracy of CRT's claims of inherent racism because that is exactly what they are using to motivate their own support.  If there were no "inherent racism" among whites, then CRT would not be a threat to any political perspective, would it?  As far as "grooming" goes, there's no evidence at all to support the claim that it is happening in sex education courses, or that there is anything in the information that is presented which encourages students to consider homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle or recruits them into any sexual orientation other than their own. 

But there is plenty of evidence to show that the absence of sex education programs in schools directly correlates to high rates of pre-marital sexual activity and even higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases as opposed to an environment where students get accurate information to make good choices.  

Being educated and informed is a deterrent to bad choices.  

The Huge Difference Between Informing and Indoctrinating

Here's what Dr Shaw, who is the author of the article that is linked at the top, said about the way she conducts her classes.  Dr. Shaw is Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at Oregon State University, an ordained Baptist minister and has master's and doctoral degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  

"No teaching is value free or morally neutral.  In [our] studies, we acknowledge and own the political nature of our discipline, and we work intentionally to shape our classroom to reflect our political goals of inclusion, equality and justice.  

I try to create a classroom that is itself inclusive, equitable and just.  I welcome, and care about, every student in my class, including straight white men and I also recognize the ways that experiences of mistreatment, discrimination and oppression affect student's lives and the selves they bring into the classroom.  I pay attention to dynamics of differences and power in my classroom and I help students learn to analyze the strutures of discrimination in their lives and in society. "

There isn't anything in Critical Race Theory, or in any sexism studies, which indicates there is anything imposed or indoctrinated, or makes the white people uncomfortable, feel guilty, implies that they are "inherently racist," or blames anyone or lays the responsibility for racism or sexism on anyone because of their race.  That is a blatant and, in my opinion, intentionally political interpretation of CRT, as well as are the claims that it is not "consistent" with Biblical doctrine and theology or a specific denominational confession of faith.  

Republican Opposition isn't Based on Principle, it's Based on Fear of Losing Power

About Republican opposition to CRT, and gender equality, Dr. Shaw says, "They use scare tactics to enlist voters against the very kinds of education that would most benefit many of the poor and working class whites who are part of the Republican base."  

"What they love is power.  This was clear during the attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election.  No principles of truth, democracy, law and order, morality or any other lofty ideal underlay the blatant attempted power grab.  The love of power was more compelling than love of country, love of democracy, or love of truth.  And that continues to be so," she stated.  

Republican tactics, including voter suppresson, gerrymandering, politicizing the judicial system, the push of false, phony conspiracy theories, outright lying and blatant fear mongering is a clear indication that they know they can't win at the ballot box on a level playing field.  They are playing to ignorance and prejudice.  The idea they promote, that "the white male is an endangered species" in America is absolutely false and unprovable, and in fact, white males remain as dominant and as over-represented in regard to their actual proportion of the population, in business, government and social instutitions as they ever have been.  

Dr. Shaw's piece here also points to another stark difference between Democrats and Republicans, between the "liberal left" and the extremist conservative right, and that is the approach to providing education and information.  Republicans want to ban books, censor information and control the narrative so that people are misinformed and uneducated and not capable of making good choices as a result.  Democrats, politically and philisophically, want to present the whole issue, focusing on each point, and treat all sides of the issue as legitimate and equitable.  So, not in every single case, perhaps, but it would be very easy for Dr. Shaw, and others who teach in this field, to lay this out in a way that takes sides and indoctrinates students.  That, however, would be contradictory to the very principles that undergird their teaching. 

There's some valuable information here.  Take it, use it with your friends who don't get this and who are falling victim to the propaganda.  Take note of Dr Shaw's Christian faith background and the source of her education.  She completely undermines conservative claims on these social issues, and nullifies Evangelical arguments that CRT is not consistent with Biblical doctrine.