Critical Race Theory (CRT)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

What is Critical Race Theory (CRT)?

Critical Race Theory (CRT) contends that America’s legal, economic, and political systems are inextricably racist. It asserts that all non-whites are victims of racism, even when it is not apparent, and that even legal advances against racism, even those during the 1960s civil rights movement, ultimately protect a system that benefits whites. CRT states that in order to right this wrong, all current dominant societal norms and structures must be dismantled.

CRT has its roots in the early 20th Century thought of neo-Marxist Antonio Gramsci, founder of the Italian Communist Party. His desire was to spur on the stalled communism of 19th Century social revolutionists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels toward an overthrow of the “bourgeoisie” (ruling middle- and upper-class) by the proletariat (working-class). But its current use in our education system seeks to revise history and prioritize group identity over individual rights.

Christopher Rufo described Critical Race Theory this way in a speech he gave in 2021:

Critical race theory is an academic discipline, formulated in the 1990s, built on the intellectual framework of identity-based Marxism. Relegated for many years to universities and obscure academic journals, over the past decade it has increasingly become the default ideology in our public institutions. It has been injected into government agencies, public school systems, teacher training programs, and corporate human resources departments in the form of diversity training programs, human resources modules, public policy frameworks, and school curricula.

There are a series of euphemisms deployed by its supporters to describe critical race theory, including “equity,” “social justice,” “diversity and inclusion,” and “culturally responsive teaching.” Critical race theorists, masters of language construction, realize that “neo-Marxism” would be a hard sell. Equity, on the other hand, sounds non-threatening and is easily confused with the American principle of equality. But the distinction is vast and important. Indeed, equality—the principle proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, defended in the Civil War, and codified into law with the 14th and 15th Amendments, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965—is explicitly rejected by critical race theorists. To them, equality represents “mere nondiscrimination” and provides “camouflage” for white supremacy, patriarchy, and oppression.

CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHY

Our Catholic worldview is based on the inherent dignity of all people, together with their universal call to holiness and salvation in Jesus Christ. This worldview has no room for unjust discrimination. In Catholic education, all men and women and people of all nationalities, races, and creeds are treated with their inherent dignity as children of God.

Catholic education seeks to overcome division, not to create it. CRT conflicts with Catholic philosophy because it seeks to divide people. It is inherently racist and has no business being included in a Catholic school’s curriculum.

DISGUISING CRT

Concerned parents across the nation have been fighting to have CRT removed from their schools. Some states have even enacted legislation to ban CRT from all public schools.

All of this bad publicity, however, is not necessarily making CRT go away. Often times, it simply goes underground, being disguised with different names such as “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (DEI), "Social Justice", "Culturally Responsive Teaching" and “Social Emotional Learning (SEL).”

Bottom line, parents must become much more savvy and diligent in spotting CRT in their schools’ educational programs. A variety of resources have been made available through the Manhattan Institute to assist parents in this effort.

IS CRT IN MINNESOTA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS?

If you send your kids to a Catholic school, you might think that they are protected from the Critical Race Theory indoctrination taking place in many public schools today. Sadly, Catholic schools are not immune from going ‘woke‘, as one concerned Catholic mother related in a recent story about her child’s school.

A cursory review of websites for some of Minnesota’s Catholic schools has revealed that a number of schools have adopted “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” programs that likely have elements of CRT included in their curricula. Website excerpts are provided below from the following schools: Academy of Holy Angels, Benilde-St. Margaret, Cretin Derham Hall, Cristo Rey, Totino-Grace and Visitation School.

As an example, Benilde-St. Margaret teachers have committed to learning “anti-racist teaching strategies.” The school’s student newspaper has published an article stating that social justice is “a key part of Catholic education.” For the 2021-22 academic year, the prep school added a “social justice Algebra II class” to the curriculum.

PARENTS MUST ENGAGE

Parents cannot assume their children are not being exposed to CRT just because they attend a Catholic school. They must become much more involved by reviewing their school’s educational programs and curricula. Don’t be afraid to confront your school’s administrators if you suspect CRT has infiltrated your school. Contact your school’s headmaster to schedule a discussion. You should also reach-out to Dr. Jason Slattery, Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis (until Fall of 2026). He can be reached at 651.291.4494 or at slatteryj@archspm.org.

Consider the example set by two Catholic parents in Florida who sued their Catholic school to rescind a $1.35 million gift after discovering students were being indoctrinated in CRT. Parents must be courageous and make their voices heard. After all, its our children’s immortal souls that hang in the balance.