The value of critical race theory

A guest pastor at our UU church discussed the 'hermeneutics of suspicion,' and more specifically critical race theory (CRT), which places analysis in historical context. He compares that to those who accept a fundamental or literal approach to religion, politics, worldviews etc. And how they are making a Boogie Man of CRT. So how then do we take the truths of CRT and yet still enter into mediation with the fundamentalists, given our principle of honoring and respecting every person's inherent worth and dignity?

The pastor noted that Niebuhr, like CRT, said that just believing that rational debate would solve all injustice and inequality was naive. We've been there and done that, and in some cases it just sweeps the problems under the rug and they continue. That something more is required, that we need to fight against the power that maintains it. That sometimes there is no compromise.

He proposed that we can separate how we treat individuals with inherent worth and dignity from how we treat the unjust social structures with which they identify. We can indeed fight the latter while honoring the former. Given our values and principles we must indeed do both. And CRT is essential in that cause. I highly recommend watching this 20-minute lesson.