All Education Is Political: Critical Race Theory, White Power, and the Killing of Black Academic Freedom

Abstract:

Politicians across every level of government have recently proposed and often passed legislation that prohibits the teaching of critical race theory and other “divisive topics” in K–20 classrooms. This article seeks to reframe mainstream scholarly narratives and suggests that a more precise term be developed to describe white violence toward nonwhite people. Using public assaults on critical race theory by conservative policymakers as evidence, I argue that these assaults represent examples of white power killing Black academic freedom. I analyze these assaults through Derrick Bell’s articulation of the permanence of racism and Amos Wilson’s typology of power used in the subordination of Black people.

Download "All Education is Political: Critical Race Theory, White Power, and the Killing of Black Academic Freedom" or read it below.