Counter-Narratives: Why Do Black Folks Even Need Critical Race Theory?

I recently read an article penned by Frederick M. Hess and J. Grant Addison. Like most articles I read, I went into it with the best of intentions. Quite frankly, both authors have put out substantial bodies of work. Hess and Addison remain highly respected in their respective fields. I went in optimistically.

Hess and Addison immediately rail against anti-racist approaches to teaching. The article compares "anti-racism" to being "anti-crime" or "anti-medicine." I'm not sure about anyone else, but I'm certainly not anti-crime or anti-police. But approaches to how law enforcement police minoritized communities have long been a question presented by raced people. 

To ignore, minimize, or undermine attempts to achieve racial justice for all seems disingenuous at best, racist at its worst. But I know how sensitive folks are to "word monstering," so before I make any conclusions, I'll read on.

It resonates that the article would use KIPP as an example of a casualty of "wokeness" and anti-racist education. But if you talk to Black students and faculty from KIPP before policies moved away from zero-tolerance, they speak rather candidly about the oppressive ways KIPP over-disciplined students of color. I remain a fan of KIPP, and I think they do great work in low SES communities. Here are some additional articles the authors have written on KIPP:

https://www.aei.org/op-eds/anti-racist-education-is-anything-but/

https://americanmind.org/memo/anti-racist-education-is-neither/

https://www.realcleareducation.com/2020/12/25/anti-racist_education_is_neither_49420.html

Quite honestly, I'm more impressed by KIPP's level of self-reflection. In theory, I could see how those from the outside looking in could scrutinize KIPP changing its slogan. But the practical side of me knows why it wasn't a hard decision for KIPP. KIPP could be a case study for how doing things in kids' best interest, and their emotional well-being trumps adult ego.

I feel like I lost the desire to continue reading when Hess and Addison quoted Bari Weiss. 

The authors give several examples of how anti-racist approaches to pedagogy have made white people feel uncomfortable. 

I guess my concern with this article is that it does a fantastic job of critiquing anti-racism. It does a pedestrian job of analyzing and critiquing the current system and how it impacts raced people.

For example, in Arkansas, a white teacher made a Black kid pull feces from a toilet with their bare hands. Let's sit here for a second. It was a kindergartner. I've searched and haven't found any writings from Hess and Addison on this topic. Or making the students do "slave yoga" poses as a part of a classroom assignment. And lastly, for the sake of giving quality examples, writing assignments that ask Black kids to write about the "good of slavery, or writing letters as slaves to your African ancestors.

The larger question should be, why do Black people need Critical Race Theory? And how does everyone benefit from white people not being racists?

All of these think pieces are themed. They give examples of how white people are uncomfortable with discussions about race. They also seem to inadvertently coin Kendi as the speaker for all of Black America. I challenge these fellas to find folks who provide theoretical and practical solutions on how being anti-racist is for the greater good. Or, write an article that gives solutions. Our ability to write counter-narratives that challenge whiteness is crucial to the mental and physical well-being of our people. 

For more conversation on this topic, tune in to the Unpublic video cast. #Youwontoutworkus.