What is CRT and the mental health implications of CRT

I have a lot of people coming up to me and asking what Critical Race Theory (CRT) is and how it is either going to help or harm the United States of America. Well, I will write a blog on CRT based on the research that I have done and the mental health implications that come along with the theory. So first, what is CRT? From the research that I have done, CRT is a theory that looks at the intersectionality between race and the law. CRT does not answer why racism, but how did racism manifest in this situation. CRT was derived from Critical Theory (CT). CT identifies and challenges society and culture through power structures. If those power structures are found unjust, then CT looks to see how to make those power structures more just for society. CRT started with critically looking at the law in the late 1960s but has evolved to look at and critique other societal dynamics in our current society. Based on my research, I mainly looked to the American Bar Association (ABA), the reports and Youtube video from Christopher Rufo along with his references as well as other documents and came to the following conclusion. CRT is taught in law school as well as undergraduate classes that pertain to law. Despite popular belief, CRT is not taught in grades K-12. What is actually being taught is, complete American history. Starting at the Junior High level and moving up, teenagers will learn a more completed version of America’s history so that future generations do not repeat the negative actions and events of our past.

Now we get into the mental health implications for those that are both for and against teaching a more complete version of history. Those that are for learning a more complete version of history will find that they have a new perspective. For any race or nationality, they will have higher self-esteem and self-confidence. The reason being, is due to learning both the good and the bad of America. They will have more self-esteem and self-confidence by learning what they should do more of and what they should really stay away from doing. Also, this reinforces more of the “If you see something, then say something” trope where if racism happens, they can call that out. Overall, they will learn what is racist and not to continue versus what is not racist and to continue through our American history.

For those that are against teaching a more complete version of history, I divided them up into two sections. The first is those that don’t agree but don’t really care and those that don’t agree and will fight to not see it happen in their schools. Those that disagree but really do not care, nothing really is going to happen with them mentally. People are entitled to their own assumptions and opinions, whether the schools should teach a more complete version of American history. Those that disagree and fight tooth and nail, fall more into the anxiety, fear and possible paranoia section. We need to remember that anxiety is an emotion reacting to a perceived event, or the event could or could not happen. Some of the perceived threats I have gathered from concerned people are the following: Teaching complete American history will divide American citizens, teaching complete American history will teach Black Americans to hate White Americans, teaching complete American history is racist, teaching complete American history will teach white American kids to hate their parents and themselves, teaching complete American history will cause Minority Americans (specifically Black Americans) to rise up and take over America and more. Due to their anxiety, people are making a lot of assumptions and opinions. Those assumptions and opinions are not 100% true but believing so would strike a lot of unnecessary and excess anxiety, fear and paranoia. Also, this would cause people to go into the fight, flight or freeze mode. In this mode, people will feel the need to defend themselves and everyone the hold dear to what they are reacting to. In this case the emotions are in control of the people, instead of the people being in control of their emotions.

Now we get into the other part of anxiety. Usually anxiety comes from something that either is 100% true or perceived to be 100% true. Based off of the thing, assumptions and opinions that are not 100% true, form around that thing. So then we ask ourselves have those people experienced any of what was stated above? We need to remember that a lot of times, people are reacting to something that happened in the past. So it is worth sitting down and having that dialogue to gauge other people’s past experience. That way, we are able to see where this anxiety and fear is coming from. That way, when listening to understand, we are able to have a more effective conversation because both sides will be heard.

In conclusion, CRT is not being taught in k-12 schools. What is being taught is complete American history. No matter which side of the fence you are on about this, remember everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We need to ask ourselves who is in control. Am I in control of my emotions or are my emotions in control of me? I am always one to encourage open dialogue to understand instead of to respond. This way we can gain a new perspective on teaching complete American history and help manage our emotions in the process. Remember, we are all North American at the end of the day.

Coresair A. Mack MS.ED, LCPC, NCC