A screenshot of a lesson apparently taught to elementary school kids claiming characteristics like “perfectionism” and “objectivity” can signify racism has sparked outcry, with many ridiculing the concept as being racist itself.
The presentation slide, shared on Twitter by author James Lindsay on Wednesday, showed a list of 15 traits by which the young students could identify “white supremacy culture.” It appeared to be a rough summary of the 2001 ‘Dismantling Racism Workbook’ by authors Tema Okun and Kenneth Jones.
Belvedere Elementary School, Virginia. pic.twitter.com/6qD0IO4FA1
Lindsay claimed the lesson was being taught to kids at the Belvedere Elementary School in Virginia – and the name of the teacher appearing on the slide also matches the name of a teacher at that school.
The list features seemingly inoffensive concepts like “fear of open conflict” and “individualism” as characteristics of white supremacy culture – but the addition of arguably positive traits like “perfectionism” and “objectivity” raised the most eyebrows.
The slide prompted uproar on Twitter as many took issue with the mere idea of introducing the subject of white supremacy to elementary-age (6-11 years old) kids – and using such non-specific terminology to define it. Some said the lesson itself was racist.
Objectivity & perfectionism are apparently synonymous with “racism”. Ironically, this type of “anti-racism” indoctrination is alarmingly racist & ignorant. https://t.co/oFpYB8BtgU
Commenters slammed the politicized approach to kids’ education, with calls to “defund public school” a frequent sentiment.
While @FCPSSupt@fcpsnews is busy trying to destroy America’s No. 1 high school with a lottery, kids — k-6 KIDS — in Fairfax County VA at @BESbulldogs are lectured about white supremacy! This is political corruption at its most lethal — for the soul of our kids. @ConceptualJameshttps://t.co/t6bpOBYsTF
This is what critical race theory teaches in our schools, businesses, and government agencies. @realDonaldTrump was right to cancel it and parents should demand their schools stop teaching it. https://t.co/18qk2n9xV1
On the other hand, some were simply baffled by the designation of seemingly innocuous traits as being linked to white supremacy – ideas that elementary school children were unlikely to be able to grasp.
“I can think of at least half a dozen non-Western cultures where some or all of those 15 traits are valued,” tweeted blockchain personality Charles Hoskinson.
Great example of the provincial, monocultural nature of CRT. I can think of at least half a dozen non-Western cultures where some or all of those 15 traits are valued, and people would be highly offended by hearing them described as “white supremacy.”
“Objectivity” is racist??? pic.twitter.com/1uuj6jEtMW
Supposed anti-racism initiatives in education seem to backfire more often than not in recent months. Just this week, it was revealed that the University of Kentucky had been subjecting its incoming residents to segregated racial sensitivity training sessions, where white people were told to identify racist traits within themselves.
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