Critical Race Theory is a decades old idea that race is a social construct and that racism is systemic, not a just a collection of individual prejudices. But the concept has come under fire this past year by conservatives across the country and on Wednesday the State Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges held an informational hearing discussing it. A featured speaker at the hearing was the right-wing activist leading the misinformation charge against Critical Race Theory, Christopher Rufo.
Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, is professor emerita in the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She is also the president of the National Academy of Education. Her research examines the pedagogical practices of teachers who are successful with African American students and she investigates Critical Race Theory applications to education. She joins Friday Buzz host Jonathan Zarov to talk more about the purpose of Critical Race Theory and the ways it is commonly misrepresented.
(Image courtesy of the National Academy of Education)