For about the better part of the past year and a half, we have heard public school officials and their media and teachers union allies vehemently deny that Critical Race Theory was being taught in K-12 education around the country. Even if school districts did not explicitly label certain goals or teaching lessons as “Critical Race Theory,” the language used to describe their agenda often indicated it was based on the principles of the anti-white, anti-American worldview.
But now, highlighted by The Manhattan Institute’s Chris Rufo, the Detroit public school district Superintendent Nikolai Vitti is openly embracing Critical Race Theory and boasting how it is deeply embedded through all facets of education in the Motor City.
At a recent board meeting, Vitti stated: “Our curriculum is deeply using critical race theory, especially in social studies, but you’ll find it in English language arts and the other disciplines. We were very intentional about creating a curriculum, infusing materials and, embedding critical race theory within our curriculum.”
The video can be seen here:
Detroit Superintendent @Dr_Vitti: “Our curriculum is deeply using critical race theory, especially in social studies, but you’ll find it in English language arts and the other disciplines. We were very intentional about … embedding critical race theory within our curriculum.” pic.twitter.com/zMYdSxfrde
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) November 30, 2021
The comments actually came earlier in the year in response to anti-Critical Race Theory legislation in Michigan, according to local Michigan media outlet Chalkbeat Detroit.
According to Chalkbeat Detroit, there are two bills — House Bill 5097 and Senate Bill 460 — currently working their way through Michigan’s state government that would ban teaching certain elements of Critical Race Theory:
…Bill 5097 passed the Michigan House on Nov. 2 and is awaiting a hearing from the Senate Committee on Education and Career Readiness. The proposed legislation would prohibit school lessons that promote “race or gender stereotyping.”
If Senate Bill 460 passes, schools would lose 5% of their funding if educators teach critical race theory, an academic framework that historically examines systemic racism as a part of American life and institutions. The bill has not come to the Senate floor.
Michigan educators could also be docked for teaching “anti-American ideas” about race, or material from “The 1619 Project…”
In addition to his aforementioned comments, Vitti stated that “white Republicans” in the legislature were demonstrating structural racism with their proposed bills, according to Chalkbeat Detroit:
“What I find interesting about this whole idea is that if you look at what critical race theory is, by definition, this legislation is probably the best example of it,” Vitti said.
“You have white Republicans largely outside of Detroit — a community of color — legislating what you can or cannot teach in schools. If that’s not one of the best examples of structural racism, I don’t know what is.”
Vitti’s comments come after numerous Michigan educators have denied that Critical Race Theory is being taught in Michigan schools. WBCK 95.3 compiled a brief list of professionals from the Great Lake state, as well as American Federation of Teachers boss Randi Weingarten, claiming Critical Race Theory is not being taught in public education:
On Aug. 10, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Rice said at a State Board of Education meeting, “Critical race theory is not a curricular issue in pre-K-12 education.”
In a June 27 Detroit Free Press story, Michigan State University professor Dorinda Carter Andrews said it was misleading to suggest the concept of critical race theory is being taught in Michigan schools. Andrews, a professor of race, culture, and equity who also chairs MSU’s Department of Teacher Education, told the Free Press, “I’d be hard pressed to find a K-12 teacher who is doing that in their school district.”
And in a July 6 Bridge Michigan story, Michigan Association of School Boards spokeswoman Shelly Davis Boyd said that the group is not aware that any schools in the state are teaching critical race theory.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers union, said, “Let’s be clear: Critical race theory is not taught in elementary schools or high schools.” The Detroit Federation of Teachers is a branch of AFT.
For those looking for an actual accurate definition of Critical Race Theory, this August The Daily Wire’s editor emeritus Ben Shapiro “masterfully” laid out in 65 seconds what the theory is and how it is used by leftists to transform America.
Watch here:
WATCH: In only 65 seconds, @BenShapiro gives the best and most substantive definition of critical race theory you’ll ever hear or read. pic.twitter.com/7pXXIxQHo6
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 7, 2021