Residents of Whispering Pines offered opinions on Critical Race Theory (CRT) Wednesday, June 2. The residents spoke at a special meeting of the Village Council, called for by the mayor of Whispering Pines, Alexa Roberts.
Input focused on the teaching of the controversial perspective in Moore County Schools. Some speakers were in favor of having CRT in the curriculum, while several others were against having it in lesson plans.
The Village Council is considering making a recommendation to the school board on whether or not the theory should be included.
Those opposed to CRT called the school of thought “racist” and stressed that the bulk of funding for schools comes from property taxes, making the positions of village residents relevant. They also argued implementation would drain local resources.
A couple of speakers said it wasn’t the role of the Village Council to get involved in the debate by putting together a resolution, saying it was outside their domain.
A number of other comments on the topic – from residents not present at the session – were read during the meeting.
An intellectual movement and organized framework of legal analysis, CRT is based on the idea race is an invented category used to exploit and oppress people of color. Advocates of the theory say the law and legal institutions of the United States are racist because they create and sustain social inequalities between whites and nonwhites, specifically African Americans.
While CRT was organized at the first annual Workshop on Critical Race Theory, in 1989, its intellectual origins go back to the 1960s and ‘70s.
Beyond legal studies, CRT has influenced women’s and gender studies, education, American studies and sociology. The issue’s gotten increased attention in 2021, particularly for grades K-12, as several state legislatures have debated bills aimed to prevent it from being taught.
Before the meeting’s close, Mayor Roberts said a decision on the matter would not be made at that time, but the issue would be on the agenda for the Village Council’s next regular meeting, slated for June 9.
Feature photo by Sandhills Sentinel Photographer Melissa Schaub.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Dave Lukow.
