Critical Race Theory

The outcome of the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday may turn on whether enough voters think that Democrats try to get schools to inculcate children with critical race theory, the purpose of which, the more histrionic Republicans, of which there are a lot, say is to make white children feel ashamed of being white. I don’t approve of theories of history. In my view, the term critical race theory should never have been invented. But teaching significant historical facts is right, and, if arguments about “critical race theory” have become publicly significant, teaching about critical race theory, its various meanings and the reactions it has generated, is right. The essence of good teaching of history is good faith proportional coverage and emphasis of significant true facts.