Alabama among 21 states considering critical race theory ban

By WVUA 23 News Reporter Karris Harmon

On Thursday, June 3, Georgia made headlines after the state’s Board of Education passed a resolution banning the study of critical race theory in public schools.

Critical race theory is an academic theory that racism is a social construct, not the product of individual bias or prejudice, and it is inherent in areas like legal systems, education and the workforce.

The Alabama State Department of Education recently announced plans of its own to introduce a similar resolution

The theory, which is used to examine how racism has affected society, has been viewed by opponents as an attempt to place blame or guilt on people based on their race.

Tuscaloosa City Schools District 6 Board of Education Member Marvin Lucas said that even though these conversations might be uncomfortable, they are important for students to know and learn about.

“Our students and everybody in the state of Alabama hear and talk about this stuff every day,” he said. “If our children want to be prepared, we need to give them the opportunity to hear and discuss these things. If we don’t talk about these things, we’re going to have issues where they don’t have a true understanding.”

District 1 Board of Education Member Karen Thompson-Jackson echoed Lucas’ statements, adding it is important to recognize that history cannot be erased.

“You can learn from history, you can hopefully never make mistakes that are mistakes in history. And that we teach our children to be proud of our history and learn from any knowledge that is available,” Thompson-Jackson said.

With the final decision regarding the resolution ultimately in the hands of the ALSDE, Lucas said he hopes they think hard before making their decision.

“We need to make sure that our students hear and know all the information about the state of Alabama and all across the country. When we limit them from learning information or getting information, we don’t help them get a true understanding of their history, their heritage and the things that happen around them,” he said.

The ALSDE can vote on the resolution as soon as Aug. 12.