My 95 Theses Moment
My discussion with a group that included a teacher and supporters of CRT in Utah public schools was revealing.
From climate change to Critical Race Theory to transgenderism people are picking a theory that satisfies their desired position/agenda, treating that theory as proven fact, and then punishing anybody who digs into that theory by calling them deniers, racists, or transphobes.
They scream about "the science" when this is about the farthest thing from science. Science doesn't teach theory as fact, it constantly questions theory until it can be proven or disproven.
Reminds me of how medieval Christianity, corrupted by evil men, hunted, punished, and executed anyone they determined were witches or heretics.
I was part of a discussion with some folks last night about the efforts in Utah to ban CRT from the public school classrooms. One of them was a teacher in one of the school systems that says they don't teach it but have found a way to incorporate it as part of their "diversity" programs.
Being the ass I am, I began to question her to find out what she knew about the origins and basis of CRT.
You are probably not going to be surprised that she knew damn little about it and neither did any of the other people who were supporting it. They believed it was just about fairness and teaching black history. It served to satisfy their sense of "fairness".
I asked if she or any of the other non-teachers had been taught about Critical Race Theory or Critical Theory in college (she graduated 10 years ago) and none of them had. They had never heard of Derrick Bell and how his theory rejected any information that didn't agree with his preferred premise. When I explained how he came to his conclusions, they began to understand why this is NOT about teaching black history or slavery, it is about blaming white people for the lack of advancement of the entire black race in America.
But even then, they still felt "something had to be done" to help advance the positions of people of color, to which I replied:
"Teach them useful things. Teach them math, science, how to express themselves, hot to communicate clearly, how to respect classroom authority, how to work hard to meet deadlines and produce quality work. Teach them how to be polite and shake hands. Teach them things that will help them advance in society but leave the hatred out of it. Stop inculcating kids of all colors with the idea that someone else is responsible for their failures or successes. Teach them the difference in theory and fact and how to think for themselves. That's what you can do."
I pointed out that what they were doing, in my opinion, was satisfying their own emotional needs or illegitimate sense of guilt by teaching unproven theories as fact. It isn't that they believe the theories are correct, it just feels satisfying to teach them. I said they were actually disrespecting and disadvantaging the kids by selling them a theory and not telling them the truth. They are actually setting the kids back.
I told them that this was more about emotionally needy adults than it was disadvantaged kids.
Needless to say, my expression left them stunned, largely because I turned the issue back on them, where it should be - but I doubt anything I said will spark any change. There is just so much institutional pressure on teachers coming down from highly paid administrators and outside pressure groups that it will be very difficult for any individual teacher to yell "Stop!" and get people in school leadership to take stock. There is also a lot of money involved in this process – as well as the threat of federal extortion if the spirit of the age isn’t served.
On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. Contrary to popular belief, these were not accusations directed at the Catholic Church, they were an open invitation to debate any or all of the 95 points.
That is what is needed.
Luther was willing to stand against the corruption of the Church. His writings were condemned and ordered to be burned, he was charged with heresy and eventually excommunicated and had to go into hiding.
Every single one of our institutions need a "95 Theses" nailed to their doors.
This is a debate and a reformation we must have.
This so much reminds me of the story of guy who was caught up in a flood and first someone came to help him and he said no that the Lord will rescue him, then a boat came, and again he said no saying that the Lord will save him, then when the man is on the roof of his house staying just above the flood waters a helicopter comes by to rescue him and again he says no that the Lord will save him, and eventually he drowns. Goes to heaven and says Lord why did you not save me - the Lord says - what do you mean I sent a person, a boat and a helicopter and you did not let yourself use anyone of them.
My point is that even when you present the facts of the foundation of CRT and the creator of it, the blind and delusional teachers still cling to it as they believe it will save them...
One of the most insightful and intelligent takes on our modern, insane, culturally profane, political religion.