CRITICAL RACE THEORY
- Critical Race Theory (CRT) has seeped into GCISD over the past 5 years.
- This page compiles information about some of the CRT in GCISD.
transcribed denial
Critical Race Theory is being expanded about the country, of course, with the 1619 Project. Is that anywhere in our curriculum?
Dr. Ryan:
Thank you for your question, M. Now let me be clear: it is not in GCISD curriculum ... 1619, CRT, none of that is in our curriculum.
We teach the state Essential Knowledge and Skills. Uh. We teach Advanced Placement curriculum. Nowhere is it in there.
Now, uh, you mentioned it has been bantered about all across the country. So if you're talking about it, our teachers are probably talking about it, but it is not in our curriculum ... everybody is talking about about that kind of thing.
Uh, so I can tell you, it is not in our curriculum, is not gonna be in our curriculum. Uh, and, uh, our community is not for that. Our Principals, our teachers are not for that. And so I just want, I want to be really clear.
Critical Race Theory in Class
--Grapevine High School English students learn to define racism as a system.
--Systemic racism is a core tenet of CRT.
--Here is an excerpt from ASPIRE AP English Language and Composition Snapshot (2021-2022).
--The CRT video above is featured in this 7-8 week unit.
More CRT in class
--This Elementary curriculum writer advocates for the 1619 Project--an attempt by the media to reframe America's founding through the lens of CRT.
--Student iPads at elementary schools have Minecraft BLM lessons.
--AVID middle school students lead CRT seminar with intersectionality wheel.
--This seminar mirrors the teacher training "Breaking the Barrier."
--This is from the teacher training "Breaking the Barrier" that the above student-led seminar mirrors.
--Intersectionality is a core tenet of CRT.
Partial photo gallery for "breaking the barrier"
Introductory Slide
Two of the writers of this CRT training are still employed in GCISD.
Systemic Racism
Notice how this slide defines racism as part of a system. Systemic Racism is a core tenet of Critical Race Theory.
Intersectionality
This slide has teachers divide up their identities according to their race, religion, age, sex, etc. They use this information to rank themselves according to their privilege (the next slide). Intersectionality is a core tenet of Critical Race Theory.
Privilege
Teaching Children CRT
This slide features white, Christian, male privilege, in addition to gender privilege. CRT proponents link "white" and "privilege" to the role of oppressor.
Microaggressions
Teaching Children CRT
Teaching Children CRT
Notice how this slide defines microaggressions quite broadly. Critical Social Justice pushes this definition further daily as a way to label "hostile" acts or "undesirable" behavior.
Teaching Children CRT
Teaching Children CRT
Teaching Children CRT
This quote says that racial message are deeply embedded into daily life and that parents should teach their children to recognize that. In other words, it advocates for teaching children that racism is systemic--a core tenet of CRT.
Former CHHS Principal advocates for crt Ideology
Excerpts from a letter to CHHS parents from their now former Principal
[June 3, 2020]
Dearest Panther Family,
I trust this message finds you safe and well. As I type these words, it’s 4:30 in the morning and I can’t sleep. For the past several days, this has been the case.
***
Now, as you begin your summer, an all too familiar enemy - one that has always been in our midst - has landed another devastating blow to our nation’s spirit.
Racism.
The recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have shook us to our core, adding to the ever-growing list of black Americans who have lost their lives because of the color of their skin. Systemic racism is alive and well, doing precisely what it was set up to do.
***
Now, it appears as though we are collectively using our voice to denounce systemic racism and the inequities that people of color face on a daily basis in our country.
I will be 42 years old next month and, never in my life, have I experienced this level of support when it comes to issues of race. I cannot begin to tell you how encouraging it has been to have so many of my white brothers and sisters buck the status quo by calling, texting, unashamedly saying that black lives do, indeed, matter...
I encourage us all not to grow weary in the battle against systemic racism - commit to being an anti-racist. While there are great obstacles to face, please know that I am with you on this journey towards conciliation for our nation. I would love to say reconciliation, but that would imply that we’ve been somewhere we have not been along our country's journey as it relates to racial equality...Our work as educators is truly the most important work. Our schools set the foundation for our future. Education is the key to stomping out ignorance, hate, and systemic racism...
Let’s not allow this moment to be a flash-in-the-pan. Let’s commit to the work and the hard, vulnerable, and uncomfortable conversations that we must have to ensure we grow personally and professionally...Will we retreat back into comfort or will we advance with great vigor into the often turbulent waters that come with tearing down systems of oppression? I’m geared up and ready for demolition for our kids and our nation. Please join me and let’s do this!
I love you all dearly and very much look forward to the journey ahead!
Sincerely,
James
