Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Modern McCarthyism or American Family Values?
U.S. history buffs and, indeed, those of elder generations, can recall the Cold War era—the period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and their allies. Basically, a war between political/social/economic systems—capitalism and communism. In the 1950s—the first peak of this war—McCarthyism became household conversation. McCarthyism was a campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. government and other institutions carried out under Senator Joseph McCarthy in the period 1950–54. Many of the accused were blacklisted or lost their jobs, although most did not in fact belong to the Communist Party.
Today it can be argued that our nation, once again, is experiencing a Cold War and McCarthyism. This “war” is about Critical Race Theory (CRT), of which What’s Up? Media recently published (January 2022) an article attempting to objectively answer four basic questions: What is it? Why are we talking about it? Is CRT taught in classrooms? Should CRT be taught in classrooms?
The feedback on this article has been positive and negative. The critics have been, perhaps, the loudest in suggesting that CRT is a “critical theory” rooted in Marxism, which they believe is being indoctrinated within our public institutions—notably school systems. We heard this exact feedback from several readers who believe CRT is communism threatening their version of American family values—and that it’s blatantly working its way into public policy and practice. When asked for examples, critics broadly point to how the difficult history of slavery and equal/civil rights are taught in classrooms combined with current social justice initiatives/campaigns have white Americans questioning their role in racism—and that that alone is racist. Even Pulitzer Prize-winning classic literature—To Kill a Mockingbird for example—is fair game to target as CRT-intentioned. And public equity initiatives, such as affirmative action, are, in their words, inequity initiatives that divide us. They claim blind equality and opportunity should exist in our capitalist society, regardless of race, but attack initiatives that examine the roots of inequality within the U.S. And there are notable academics and/or scholars who argue these points effectively—notably James Lindsay, who cloaks his conservativism under a self-proclaimed atheist/liberal label to advance the discussion and debate.
This is all to say, or rather ask, is our country under communist attack via Critical Race Theory? Are schoolchildren being taught a “racist ideology”? Should discussions of race of culture be avoided altogether in our community institutions? Are we seeing a return to the 1950s? For better or worse?
We asked you to help us learn more about the situation by sharing your thoughts. What do you think and why?
Here’s what you said:
I am an 85 year old Black man which means that I grew up in the era of "Systemic Racism" which I experienced even as I wore the uniform of the United States Air Force. I say, without hesitation, that there is no "Systemic Racism" in the United States today. I also cannot find the existence of McCarthyism in the society today. My lived history tells me that our current society is losing/has lost the real sense of family which existed, even with segregation, during my childhood.
Melvin Kelly, Severn
Thank you for your coverage of this increasingly divisive subject. Opposing the teaching of CRT at any level has certainly become the McCarthyism of the present time. It is obvious that many of the objections to CRT are coming from people who have little idea of what CRT is and isn't.
A succinct definition might be the use of racial history in the United States to explain the racial problems of today. It certainly isn't Marxism or communism, nor is it an economic model, the opposite of capitalism.
Why has CRT become a passionate issue for many in the U.S.? There is no indication that it is currently taught or planned to be taught in any public school system in the country. But the conservative press and politicians have discovered that they can attract attention and support from the gullible public by ranting against it even though it doesn't even exist outside of the university level. In other words, they are more interested gaining support and followers than reporting the news or governing the country State, county, etc.).
Peter Hale, Stevensville
I think that What's Up Annapolis should stick to lifestyle and entertainment content and stay away from inflammatory topics like this if you want to hold on to your readers.
Lynn McReynolds, Annapolis
I appreciated your article of Jan. 22, 2022, which defined Critical Race Theory as "an academic theoretical approach to studying law. It examines the relationship between law, race, and racism. Specifically, it is a practice or approach that provides language and a lens for examining racism at institutional and structural levels." Although it is not currently included in K-12 grade curriculums, I definitely think it should be. Our country enslaved a certain group of people for over 200 years and NEEDS to examine its laws and policies and customs to ensure that the formerly enslaved people and their descendants are not victims of discrimination or further maltreatment. Those people who object should consider this - turnabout is fair play. One day they may find themselves and their descendants members of a minority class. And because they opposed the teaching of our country's true history and the implementation of any remedies, they will find themselves and their descendants victims of minority discrimination.
Lisa Becktold, Annapolis
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