06 Nov Unpacking the Controversy: Critical Race Theory and the Role of Christopher F. Rufo

If you’ve been online in the last few years chances are you’ve heard the term Critical Race Theory (CRT). Conservative pundits have claimed that it is “the source of cultural conflict in America”, a “tool used to divide and demoralize our society” and “anti-American”

The person responsible for those above sentiments is Christopher F. Rufo. Who is Rufo and what is his impact? Is CRT actually created to demoralize and divide? Let’s discuss.

Let’s go back to 2020. There are nationwide protests after George Floyd’s murder by police and Christopher F. Rufo a conservative grifter is leveraging right-wing media to frantically campaign against CRT in order “to have the public read something crazy in the newspaper and immediately think ‘critical race theory.”

Rufo was able to stir up so much misinformation about CRT that then-President Trump issued an executive order banning some topics from diversity training for the government and its contractors including white privilege and systemic racism as well as CRT. The Southern Poverty Law Center has described Rufo as a “far-right propagandist.”

What is Critical Race Theory?

CRT examines how racism is systemic (affecting an entire system) and is a part of many facets of American society such as laws and policies and that this systemic racism continues to create inequities. CRT is an academic concept that originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It serves as a vital tool for examining how historical and contemporary forms of racism shape societal outcomes. Rufo has sought to transform CRT from a complex academic framework into a political weapon aimed at mobilizing right-wing sentiment.

Because Rufo’s successful propaganda has effectively inflamed many in the nation, the true meaning of CRT has been lost. His efforts have resulted in a broader backlash against not just CRT itself, but also against discussions of race and equity in educational settings, public policy and the workplace. Many do not understand what CRT is but take right-wing commentators’ words as truth when they claim it is an existential threat to America.

Rufo doesn’t stop at CRT however. He also opposes discussing 2SLGBTIA+ identities in the classroom and claims public schools are “hunting grounds for sexual predators.” He also advocated for school choice which deepens systemic inequalities, and on anti-racism movements he claims they “impose ideological conformity on society and to punish dissent.”

Consequences of Rufo’s Rhetoric

Embracing anti-CRT rhetoric has been harmful to many Americans and attacks the work activists have done in establishing basic realities about the US: that it was built around racist and colonial ideologies and continues to harm racialized and Indigenous populations. 

Many of the consequences have featured around education and DEI initiatives including book bans, erosion of academic freedom and curriculum restrictions. The focus on banning CRT can distract from meaningful policy discussions about racial equity and justice, preventing progress on systemic issues.

Has Rufo’s Conservative Misinformation Won?

Legislation has been passed banning CRT from schools in some locations, however, the reality is that CRT continues to be a part of the curriculum in many law schools and graduate programs, where it is studied as an important framework for understanding race and racism in legal contexts. 

Many Americans recognize the importance of discussing race, systemic inequality and unlearning bias. The conversation around CRT is likely to continue evolving, influenced by ongoing political, social, and cultural dynamics.

Fostering conversations that embrace complexity rather than fear can lead to a deeper understanding of race and justice in our society. If you have the opportunity to talk to someone about CRT consider dispelling any inflammatory and propaganda-fueled beliefs that person may hold. By doing so, we can work towards dismantling systemic inequities and fostering a more inclusive future.