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    • Intro to Taking Action
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  • More
    • Home
    • What is Critical Theory
      • Overview
      • What's the Big Deal???
      • The Two Extremes
      • CT in Public Schools
      • Myths & Objections
    • Real World Examples
      • Left in Beaverton-OR
      • Left in Oregon
    • Public Records
    • Taking Action
      • Intro to Taking Action
      • As an Educator
      • As a Parent
      • As a Community Member
      • Open Letter for Action
    • Other Resources

  • Home
  • What is Critical Theory
  • Real World Examples
  • Public Records
  • Taking Action
  • Other Resources

The Radical "Left" and "Right" Extremes

Let's dive into the two extreme choices we are being forced into.

The Radical Left (for critical theory)

New definition of racism

You're an anti-racist or a racist

New definition of racism

In their view, racism is the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another.


Related to this is the notion that America was founded on racist principles and remains racist today to maintain the position of power held by White people.

Equity, not equality

You're an anti-racist or a racist

New definition of racism

The Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought about equality by changing old and creating new laws to end discrimination of marginalized groups.


This new movement seeks to provide equity (balancing social systems) for all marginalized groups by the use of "positive discrimination". In other words, to lift the marginalized groups up we must bring the oppressive groups down.

You're an anti-racist or a racist

You're an anti-racist or a racist

Group identity is paramount to eliminating bias

There is no middle ground allowed here, and this is a hugely significant differentiator from the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK preached a "color blind" approach, whereas today that is seen by this group as support the oppressors and therefore is racist.

Group identity is paramount to eliminating bias

Group identity is paramount to eliminating bias

Group identity is paramount to eliminating bias

Traditional anti-bias education centered around teaching people what cognitive biases exist, how they influence the way we think, and strategies to recognize and move past them.


The new anti-bias approach used by critical theory is very different. To avoid biased thinking about a person or group of people, you must understand the narratives for the sub-groups they are part of (including their race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, disabilities, etc.)

There is no individual & no universal truth

Group identity is paramount to eliminating bias

There is no individual & no universal truth

This is related to the previous point on group identity. There is no individual truth, meaning that a person is ultimately defined by their membership in the various sub-groups (race, gender identity, etc.) If an individual's views don't match those of the sub-group narrative then they are either influenced by or are actively trying to appease the group in power.


There is also no universal truth, which can mean a couple of things. For one, there is no common ground across all people. This also means objective truth (i.e. what can be scientifically proved) is only one form of knowledge, and it is equal to the other forms (i.e. livid experience, cultural beliefs).

Only the marginalized should speak

Group identity is paramount to eliminating bias

There is no individual & no universal truth

As knowledge stems from your social position, those in power cannot understand what it's like to be marginalized. However, those being marginalized & oppressed can speak for their experience as well as for those in power.


If someone in power (a White person) questions or disagrees with a marginalized person or group, it is due to their White fragility.

The Radical Right (ban critical theory)

A lack of structure & focus

 This section will look a lot different from the "Pro critical theory" views because it simply isn't well defined. What we mean is this - critical theory has been slowly developing over several decades until it hit the accelerator about 10 years ago. On the contrary, the response to critical theory has only very recently taken form.


The extreme response from those on the more "radical right" side of the political spectrum is this: pass laws to ban Critical Race Theory (CRT). 

Sole focus of banning critical theory (CRT)

The primary goal of this extreme is to fight critical theory in the courts. For example, prior to Donald Trump leaving office he signed an executive order to ban teaching CRT in the federal government. Since then we've seen a number of states, all with a majority of Republican politicians, pass laws banning CRT in education and in other forms. More states are actively looking to do this as well.


The idea is to cut this movement off at the knees by making it illegal where it currently is gaining the most ground - public schools.

McCarthyism 2.0: why banning CRT is extreme

To understand why this is extreme, you have to go back to the 1950s (aka the McCarthy era). There were concerns that Marxist or communist ideas were spreading within America. Laws were passed to ban teaching or practicing these views, and some even had to swear loyalty oaths. We let a small, powerful subset of our society tell us what to think.


If you remember your history, you'll know this didn't go well. Innocent people were attacked and blacklisted for being communist sympathizers. Anti-communist views were twisted to go after homosexuals. It was one of many dark times in our country's past that we must remember and must not repeat.

Next Topic: CT in Public Schools

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