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Critical Race Theory and Equity and Equality

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Local Voices

Richard Smits

I write in response to Why is Critical Race Theory under attack?, the Local Voices piece published on 08-09-2021.

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a worldview whose premise is that there are really only two classes of people; the Oppressor class (the Haves) and the Oppressed class (the Have-nots). The only way to change, for the better, the society in which we live is for the Oppressed class to get rid of the Oppressor class.

CRT posits that there must be EQUITY (everyone being equal in terms of possessions, power & prestige). Equity may be achieved by force if necessary. On the other hand EQUALITY (everyone being treated equally and given equal opportunities under law to acquire possessions, power & prestige) is the vision of the US Constitution and the written laws interpreting it.

To achieve EQUITY in the CRT worldview the oppressor must be eliminated and all their possessions, power and prestige redistributed equally to everyone. To achieve EQUALITY, however, people are encouraged to love and live in harmony with each other as fellow image-bearers of God to help each achieve his/her potential. CRT is the polar opposite of the worldview of the US Constitution and the Biblical principles that are its basis.

This, I believe, is one reason that people object so strongly to CRT thought being taught in our schools and adopted by several government agencies.

My comments are based on the writings of Christopher F. Rufo, graduate of Georgetown University and executive director at the Documentary Foundation who has directed four films for PBS. My comments were also based on notes from a lecture by Meeke Addison, co-host of a radio program on American Family Radio.

Richard Smits


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Local Voiceshttps://thelansingjournal.com/category/lansing-voices/
Local Voices is The Lansing Journal's version of “Letters to the Editor.” The opinions posted here are those of the writers, and posting them does not indicate endorsement by The Lansing Journal. We welcome input from fellow residents who have thoughtful things to say about topics that are important to our community. Submissions may be sent to [email protected] with “Voices” in the subject line.

11 COMMENTS

  1. I find an interesting passage in the bible, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)” For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” Some may feel this relevant, others irrelevant, or some that it’s out of context. I offer it only for your consideration.

    • Linda Todd-

      Thanks you for posting that painstakingly researched and brilliantly composed and documented article explaining the origin of the term “Critical Race Theory” and the effort to challenge and destroy it.

      Sincerely,
      Frank Fetters

  2. Mr. Smits
    To learn more about CRT you might want to google Bob Malkas. I have written a number of explanations. Try the ones about the The 1619 Project and the teaching history.
    I’m not sure where Rufo is coming from but your might want to consult American Marxism by Mark Levin and books by David Horowitz and Peter Schweitzer and a number of others.
    In your future research first check how the book is documented.
    You don’t want opinions, just facts.
    Very happy to provide you with answers to you questions.
    If you want address them to Word in the Wind Lansing P.O Box 168

  3. I respectfully submit, Mr. Smits, that you do further research from more varied resources before posting more of this very one-sided view of CRT. There are some good ones listed in the comments above. I appreciate that you listed the sources you did use, but I find them to be rather less than objective.

  4. Mr. Smits-

    Of all the comments I have read here concerning this issue, I think you may have the greatest understanding of the range and scope of the situation and exactly what is at stake. Even your citing the subtle differences between equity and equality helps to define the crux of the problem. If oppressed people take arms against their oppressors and manage to win, then how are THEY not seen as the oppressors?

    The answer to the problem, I believe, must be in democracy, and by democracy, I don’t mean a democracy in name only but a democracy in which all citizens regardless of income, religion, ethnicity, race or any other social category or divider have equal access to the ballot. For oppression can never be totally wiped out, especially when it is possible to oppress others without even realizing you are doing it, even when that is not really what you are intending to do. And the answer to this problem is, of course, a democracy that is as fair as possible for everyone. Regardless of how votes are cast, in the final analysis, one “side” or faction standing for or against an issue will have the upper hand, and to those who are opposed to that view, the majority may seem like oppressors. That is why the majority must rule and why the right to vote must be protected. In the natural course of things, the factions in the majority change as time goes on and issues are considered, developed, and resolved. That is the ideal, I believe, and that is what we, as a free society must strive for.

    Thank you again for your comments.

    Sincerely,
    Frank Fetters

  5. Mr. Smits, when you read something, it should provoke thought, not adherence. Our youngsters deserve to be taught the facts and should be allowed to reach conclusions on their own.

  6. Mr. Smits, calling it a worldview is most appropriate. At the end of the day…a theory will never be truth. A theory contains no truth…….like a bottomless pit has no foundation. Historically the “theory” (any theory) is appealing. At least it is appealing to the fence riders. Anyone can utilize a theory to incubate their agenda. We can read 1000 books on CRT. Each one will extol its own ego driven variant(pun intended) of CRT. The origin of the theory appears illusive only because it is non-substantive and void of truth. The truth does not mutate. The truth does not seek to survive like a parasite feeding off the agendas of mere men. Yet there are plenty of hosts. Those who see that the theory has traction and attempt to use it to voice their (very personal) resentments and thirst for vengeance (like Sharpton or Jesse in a photo opp) are meet with an even deeper sense of powerlessness because they are the ones that are being used. The worldview does not include integrity or truth. It is a view that discards truth in exchange for “facts”. FACTS ARE THE RESULT OF HUMAN CONSENSUS. CRT boasts that the man is so wise; that he is both the cause and the solution for oppression. They will claim that oppression is not spiritual but in fact(pun intended) human. Now the “gate keepers” of our public institutions of learning are telling our children how oppressed they are while simultaneously requiring (while some how extracting strength from their victim-hood)that they be responsible for converting their oppressors into non- oppressors. This process does not involve choice. Choice is not relevant here…..because the target demographic is a captive audience who does not yet have a strong ability to think critically. CRT is programming. Programming is anything but thought provoking. Tell me i am oppressed or tell me I am an oppressor; either one will strip a man of his own self worth. The only conclusion that can be drawn is guilt and self-loathing. The gate keepers who lord over(not serve) the institutions of learning become the newest oppressors.

  7. A butterfly who is not left to struggle it’s way out it’s cocoon will never fly and has been sentenced to death.

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