Re: 'How leftists' critical race theory poisons our discussion of racism' [Village News, Letter, 9/24/20]

When an editorial title catches my eye, the first thing I do is look to see who wrote it. The subject editorial was written by Eleanor Krasne of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank that is paid to produce “studies” that denigrate liberals and liberal policies.

The purpose of Krasne’s editorial is to delegitimize the use of Critical Race Theory as a tool and, more importantly, to delegitimize its finding that racial bias is still embedded in our educational, social, and legal systems.

Krasne would have you believe that university level educators in the field of education – wild-eyed liberal Bolshevik Marxists all – are indoctrinating their innocent young charges to become authoritarian enforcers of “the only way” to view racism. I disagree.

I believe Krasne’s introduction to the subject is fabricated. She says her liberal friend refuses to discuss racism unless it is as framed by CRT.

Later, Krasne claims: “Leftism [GOP speak for liberalism] does not seek enduring notions of truth, the good or justice. It seeks only to subjugate the other as a means of overthrowing an existing structure. Once that structure is overthrown, the leaders of the revolution will find someone new to subjugate.”

With that highly polarized political position, I don’t see how Krasne could have any liberal friends. Also, if CRT got its start in the 60s, where is this supposedly inevitable revolution?

And her notion of “authoritarian liberals” forcing their beliefs on their students is laughable. If you want to see real authoritarianism, you need look no further than our President, a racist and currently the most divisive force in America, if not the entire world. And those heavily armed groups of citizens you see on TV? They are not academic educators, they are right wing vigilantes, prepared to use violence to enforce their beliefs.

The last thing that GOP conservatives want you to do is realize that systemic racism is still present in our educational, social, and legal systems. It’s understandable that racism would have been embedded in our earlier systems, what with our rich British heritage of slave trade and Britain’s colonization efforts, invading less developed countries and exploiting them. And our own somewhat checkered past of slavery and segregation.

The question is put: when, if ever, are we going to bring our policies and practices into sync with our ideal of “liberty and justice for all?”

As a liberal, I say discuss racism all you want to, but if you want to do something about it, you have to face the fact that it is indeed embedded in our political, legal, and social systems. Fortunately, our systems were made to be modified – no revolution necessary, just some very hard work.

John H. Terrell