A Gospel Centered Warning about Critical Race Theory (CRT)

A Gospel Centered Warning
about Critical Race Theory (CRT)

2
Agenda
• Part 1: Critical Race Theory (CRT)
Vocabulary and Ideology Defined
• Part 2: Contrasting CRT with the
Teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

3
What is Critical Race Theory
(CRT)?
• “The word critical in its name is an academic
term that refers to critical thinking…rather
than criticizing or blaming.”
• “CRT is also used in sociology to explain
social, political, and legal structures and
power distribution through the lens of race.”
• “CRT scholars argue that the social and legal
construction of race advances the interests
of White people at the expense of people of
color.”
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_race_theory

4
The CRT Definition of Race
• Race = “Classification of human beings created by White people
originally from Europe which assigns human worth and social status
using the White racial identity as the archetype of humanity for the
purpose of creating and maintaining privilege, power, and systems of
oppression.”
• “Critical race theorists hold that racism is inherent in the law and legal
institutions of the United States insofar as they function to create and
maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites
and nonwhites, especially African Americans.” https://www.britannica.com/topic/critical-race-theory
https://www.brandeis.edu/diversity/resources/definitions.html

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The CRT Definition of White Privilege
• A key part of CRT and a term you’ll hear often is “white privilege”
• It is “the unearned social, financial, cultural, and psychological advantages
that individuals receive based solely on their membership in a dominant
identity group. These advantages confer social advantage over non-
dominant groups, but about which its members are “meant” to remain
oblivious. Akin to an invisible, weightless knapsack of special provisions
readily available to dominant group members.”
• McIntosh, P. (1988). White privilege and male privilege: A personal account of coming to see correspondences through work in women’s studies. Working Paper 189. Center for Research on Women, Wellesley College.
• Also see https://www.brandeis.edu/diversity/resources/definitions.html

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Equity in CRT is About Equal Outcome,
Not Equal Opportunity
• Equity in CRT is not equal opportunity, as you might
think, but rather about forced, equal outcomes
• “The notion of being fair and impartial as an
individual engages with an organization or system,
particularly systems of grievance. “Equity” is often
conflated with the term “Equality” (meaning
sameness). In fact, true equity implies that an
individual may need to experience or receive
something different (not equal) in order to maintain
fairness and access.”
• Morton, B. and Fasching-Varner, K. (2015). “Equity.” Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice. Vol. 1. (Ed. S.
Thompson). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 303-4.

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Systemic, Structural, and Institutional Racism
• If racial group outcomes are not equal, CRT says
there is systemic racism
• Structural Racism = “Normalized dynamics
(historical, cultural, internalized, interpersonal,
institutional) that produce inequitable outcomes
over time and in an ongoing way”
• Institutional Racism = “The unfair policies and
discriminatory practices of institutions (schools,
workplaces, systems of health, etc.) that routinely
produce inequitable outcomes for oppressed
people and advantages for privileged people.”
• Lawrence, K., & Keleher, T. (Eds.). Proceedings from Race and Public Policy Conference 2004. Chronic disparity: Strong and
pervasive evidence of racial inequalities. (p.1-6). Berkeley: CA.

8
CRT and Anti-Racism
• Anti-racism is an ideology similar to CRT
• E.g. recent best-selling books: How to Be an Antiracist
• Anti-racism is not against racism as I define racism
(malice toward someone because of their race)
• Anti-racism is reverse racism where white people are
oppressed, and black people are granted privileges
• A vocal anti-racist has said "The only remedy to past
discrimination is present discrimination. The only
remedy to present discrimination is future
discrimination.”
• https://www.newsweek.com/true-equality-reject-misguided-notions-equity-opinion-1588288
• “[Major] anti-racism efforts include Black Lives
Matter organizing”
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-racism

9
The CRT Definition of Social Justice
• Social Justice is not a generic term for justice in society,
blind justice, or other traditional meanings of justice
• In CRT, it means forced, equal outcomes for groups
• “The goal of social justice is full and equal participation
of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet
their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society in
which the distribution of resources is equitable.”
• Bell, L. (2013). Theoretical foundations. In M. Adams, W.J. Blumenfeld, C. Castañeda,, H.W. Hackman, M.L. Petrs, & X. Zúñiga. (Eds.), Readings
for diversity and social justice. New York: Routledge. Also see https://www.brandeis.edu/diversity/resources/definitions.html
• For CRT proponents, this justifies practices like granting
university admission to minorities with low test scores
while rejecting whites or Asians with higher scores

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Summary of CRT
CRT looks at everything in society through the lens of race
Race is a concept invented by white Europeans to oppress black people
The oppressors are referred to as “white” while the oppressed are “black”
White privilege is the advantages the oppressors have over the oppressed
CRT says true equity requires forcing everyone to reach an equal outcome
Unequal racial outcomes is a sign of systemic racism
Past racial discrimination can only be remedied by future discrimination

Part 2: Contrasting CRT with Teachings
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

CRT: Racial identity groups are of primary importance
Gospel: Eternal identity as child of God is 1st priority
• God created all humans after his own image and likeness
• “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he
him; male and female created he them.” (Gen 1:27)
Church President Russel M. Nelson said:
• “Make sure you understand...your true identity."
• “No identifier should displace, replace or take priority over
these three enduring designations: ‘child of God,’ ‘child of the
covenant’ and ‘disciple of Jesus Christ.’”
• “Next would come my honored titles as a husband and father.”
• “Other labels such as a medical doctor, surgeon, researcher,
professor, lieutenant, captain, Ph.D., American and so forth —
would fall somewhere down the list.”
• https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-05-15/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults-president-nelson-sister-nelson-254027

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CRT: Past racism is only remedied with future racism
Gospel: Jesus taught a higher law: turn the other cheek
• Matt 5: 38-39 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a
tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
• Matt 5: 43-44 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

14
CRT: Racism can only be whites again blacks
Gospel: God is no respecter of people’s race
• Acts 10: 34-35 “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter
of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and
worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
• God “hath made of one blood all nations of men” (Acts 17:26)
President Russell M. Nelson has taught:
• “The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes
of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us
who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!”
• https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-shares-social-post-encouraging-understanding-and-civility
• When we understand “the true Fatherhood of God, … that
understanding inspires us with passionate desire to build
bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation.”
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/all-are-equal-prophet-proclaims-at-be-one-celebration?lang=eng

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CRT: Social Justice by Groups. Individual Injustice Okay.
Gospel: You Can’t Be Right by Doing Wrong
• President Thomas S. Monson taught:
• "May I provide a simple formula by which you can
measure the choices which confront you. It’s easy
to remember, sometimes difficult to apply: You
can’t be right by doing wrong; you can’t be wrong
by doing right."
• https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/thomas-s-monson/decisions-determine-destiny/
• “We believe that men will be punished for their
own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.” AoF 2
• This means you will be judged individually, on your own
actions, and not the actions of other people or groups.

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CRT: Social Justice May Mean Individual Injustice
Gospel: The Bible Says Justice Should be Blind
• Deuteronomy 1:16-17 “And I charged
your judges at that time, saying, Hear
the causes between your brethren, and
judge righteously between every man
and his brother, and the stranger that is
with him. Ye shall not respect persons
in judgment.”
• “not respect persons” is from a Hebrew
term for “not acknowledge faces”
• In other words, justice should be blind
and only weigh relevant facts in making
decisions

17
CRT: America is and always has been systemically racist
Gospel: Founders inspired by God to protect rights of all
• D&C 101: 77, 80 “According to the laws
and constitution of the people, which I
have suffered to be established, and
should be maintained for the rights and
protection of all flesh, according to just
and holy principles;
• …And for this purpose have I established
the Constitution of this land, by the
hands of wise men whom I raised up
unto this very purpose, and redeemed
the land by the shedding of blood.”

18
CRT: Anti-racism to promote blacks, oppress whites
Gospel: Teachings of Jesus bless the whole human race
• The Prophet Joseph Smith explained that a person “filled
with the love of God, is not content with blessing his [or
her] family alone, but ranges through the whole world,
anxious to bless the whole human race.”
• Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 426
• The Church has not been perfect at achieving that vision
of blessing the whole human race, but remember…
• “The Church disavows the theories advanced in the past
...that blacks or people of any other race or ethnicity are
inferior in any way to anyone else. Church leaders today
unequivocally condemn all racism, past and present, in
any form."
• Race and the Priesthood essay, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/race-and-the-priesthood

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CRT: Equity/Equality of Outcome, By Force
Gospel: God Always Honors Mankind’s Agency to Choose
• Satan tried to force an equal outcome for all people
• “Satan …came before me (God), saying—Behold, here am I,
send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that
one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it.” (Moses 4:1)
• “Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and
sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had
given him, …I caused that he should be cast down.” (Moses 4:3)
• “Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for
himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should
be that he was enticed by the one or the other.” (2 Nephi 2:16)
• With agency, we are “free to choose liberty and eternal life,
through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity
and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2
Nephi 2:27).

20
CRT: Races are inherently oppressed or oppressors
Gospel: All alike to God. Blessings for all believers.
• “All are alike unto God …he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his
goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and
free, male and female.” (2 Nephi 26:33)
• “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” Matt
24:13-14
• “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16

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In Conclusion: Come Unto Christ and Be One
• “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in
him” (Moroni 10:32)
• Jesus said: “I say unto you, be one; and if ye
are not one ye are not mine.” (D&C 38:27)
• “Differences in culture, language, gender, race,
and nationality fade into insignificance as the
faithful enter the covenant path and come unto
our beloved Redeemer.”
• President Russell M. Nelson, “Be One” Celebration
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/all-are-equal-prophet-proclaims-at-be-one-celebration?lang=eng
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