Mississippi News
Critical race theory in Mississippi, explained
Critical race theory in Mississippi, explained
Jump to an answer by clicking a question below:
• What is critical race theory?
• Why is it so controversial?
• Is it being taught in Mississippi schools?
• What's happening with critical race theory in the Legislature?
What is critical race theory?
According to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, critical race theory is an academic framework used to analyze racism's systemic impact on society. Critical race theory focuses on the social, political and economic intersections with race and the institutions that continue to oppress marginalized people.
Initially constructed for legal analysis, at its core, CRT has roots back to the late 1900s, spearheaded by notable Black legal scholars.
Why is it so controversial?
CRT was founded on generations of Black scholarship and activism, but Republican politicians have denounced the theory and continue to mischaracterize it as a way to divide students or introduce racism into the classroom.
At last year's Neshoba County Fair, Reeves gave a speech, which included this:
“Some of these Ivy League liberals are the dumbest smart people in the world,” Reeves said. “In what world is it OK to teach children that they are born racist? In what world is it OK to tell children they will be judged by the color of their skin and not the content of their character … In Mississippi, our kids should be learning STEM education, not Dem education.”
Fellow critics of CRT cite similar claims of divisiveness, but people well-versed in critical race theory repeatedly emphasize the systemic analysis that it operates on. That is, CRT focuses on the entirety of the system, not the individual — instead, the individual's place in that system.
But the message is getting lost in translation if it's being boiled down to supposedly teaching white children that they're born racists with a personal and active hand in oppressing their peers of color.
READ MORE: Anti-CRT bill passed out of Senate committee likely unconstitutional, opponents say
Is it being taught in Mississippi schools?
Currently, Mississippi has only one class explicitly about CRT called Critical Race Theory: Law 743, taught at the University of Mississippi. Education reporter Molly Minta wrote about the class in an article titled “Inside Mississippi's only class on critical race theory” to tell the story of a young Republican woman who wrote to her lawmakers criticizing their decision to move anti-CRT legislation forward after taking the class.
The Mississippi Department of Education confirmed that CRT is not being taught in any K-12 public institution in the state.
If SB 2113 is passed into law, Mississippi will join at least 14 other states in banning or otherwise limiting critical race theory in public schools.
READ MORE: Inside Mississippi's only class on critical race theory
What's happening with critical race theory in the Legislature?
Republican lawmakers filed 11 bills addressing critical race theory this session, according to EducationWeek. Only one remains alive. The Senate passed Senate Bill 2113, which only references CRT in its title (versus the bill itself). The legislation as currently written is vague, but would prohibit “distinction or classification of students based on account of race.”
When the bill was taken up for a vote on the Senate floor, “every Black Mississippi senator walked out in protest. The fate of this legislation now rests with the House, which has until March 1 to assign and pass it out of committee.
READ MORE:
- Philip Gunn's biggest legacy is on the line with critical race theory
- How Black senators controlled the narrative on a historic day at the Capitol
Still have further questions about critical race theory? Click here to take this brief survey and let us know what's on your mind!
FULL COVERAGE: Read all of our coverage on critical race theory
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Ole Miss men’s basketball continues to add from transfer portal
SUMMARY: Ole Miss men's basketball had a successful first season under coach Chris Beard, reaching 20 wins but missing the NCAA Tournament. The team added four players from the transfer portal, including Davon Barnes, Dre Davis, Malik Dia, and Mikeal Brown-Jones. Barnes, a guard from Sam Houston, averaged 13.5 points last season. Davis, a guard from Seton Hall, averaged 15 points. Dia, a forward from Belmont, averaged 16.8 points. Brown-Jones, a forward from UNC-Greensboro, averaged 18.9 points. The additions provide depth and talent to the team for the upcoming season.
The post Ole Miss men's basketball continues to add from transfer portal appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Family of Dau Mabil wants answers after his body is found in Pearl River
SUMMARY: The body of Dau Mabil was found in the Pearl River in Lawrence County, Mississippi. His brother expressed disbelief and devastation over the situation. There is disagreement between the family and authorities over the circumstances of Dau's disappearance. An independent autopsy was granted, and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson requested a federal investigation. Jackson leaders expressed support for the family and the Capitol police are leading the investigation with assistance from the Jackson Police Department. Police have not found evidence of foul play, but further testing is pending. The family's attorneys are urging a thorough investigation into the case.
The post Family of Dau Mabil wants answers after his body is found in Pearl River appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Willis Miller sentenced to 45 years in prison, mandatory
SUMMARY: Willis Miller was sentenced to 45 years in prison for killing Paisley “Gabby” Frazier while drinking and driving. Frazier died in an ATV crash, and another child was injured. The incident occurred in April 2022 and Miller was found guilty of aggravated DUI and aggravated assault. Frazier's mother, Caprice Thompson, expressed relief at the sentencing but acknowledged the pain of losing her daughter. District Attorney Scott Colom emphasized the seriousness of drinking and driving, noting Miller was driving 97 miles per hour on the wrong side of the road. Thompson hopes the case serves as a warning about the dangers of drinking and driving.
The post Willis Miller sentenced to 45 years in prison, mandatory appeared first on www.wcbi.com
-
Mississippi News5 days ago
Mississippi will soon be bombarded with cicadas
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
4 tornadoes touched down in Mississippi during latest round of severe storms
-
SuperTalk FM2 days ago
Chance of parole denied for man who killed 3 Choctaw Indian tribal members
-
SuperTalk FM5 days ago
2 Jones County correctional officers arrested in smuggling bust
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
Columbus schools may see needed upgrades with bond issue
-
Local News4 days ago
Almost 3,500 Mississippi Veterans have enrolled in VA health care in past 365 days, 28% increase over last year
-
Kaiser Health News2 days ago
To Stop Fentanyl Deaths in Philadelphia, Knocking on Doors and Handing Out Overdose Kits
-
SuperTalk FM3 days ago
Amazon project in Madison County to be over $10B, create more jobs than projected: report