Tennessee has banned critical race theory from being taught in TN schools.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed the measure into law on May 24, arguing that students should learn “the exceptionalism of our nation,” not things that “inherently divide” people.

Banning critical race theory from schools is a step backward from racial progress.

Critical race theory is an academic framework that teaches how race is a socially constructed category that is used to oppress and exploit people of color.

What critical race theory DOES DO:

• Recognizes that systemic racism is part of U.S. society.
• Grapples with the U.S.'s history with white supremacy.
• Rejects the belief that we are in a post-racial society where institutional/systemic racism does not exist.
• Examines how laws and systems promote inequality.
• Educates people on how race and racism function in law and society.

What critical race theory DOES NOT DO: 

• Pit different races against each other.

• Promote the idea that young children are responsible for racial oppression.

• Encourage children to be ashamed of their race.

• Aim to divide the country.

• Aim to start a "war" between races.

• Teach that some races are inherently racist.

We need critical race theory now more than ever.

Why?

Because we do not live in a post-racial society.

We saw what happened to George Floyd.

We continue to see Black and Brown people murdered in cold blood.

We have the data on racial income inequality, wealth inequality, and housing inequality.

We continue to see injustices carried out against marginalized racial communities.

Teaching how these injustices came to be is the first step in working towards racial progress.

We need to talk about race.

Progressing past racism starts with education. It starts with learning how we came to be and where we can go from here. The earlier the conversation starts, the better.

How the next generation of Americans understands the U.S.’s racist history, systems, and institutions is crucial for racial progress.