In an apparent backpedal by Joe Biden regarding his recent push to have the 1619 Project and critical race theory taught in public schools, his Education Department (ED) has released new guidelines for its American History and Civics grant program.
Back in April, the Joe Biden announced his intention to cram the most radical forms of critical race theory down the throats of America’s schools, including the 1619 Project and the so-called anti-racism teachings of critical race Theorist Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi teaches that the remedy for racism of the past is to promote anti-white racism in the present.
The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.
Biden’s rule change prioritized giving grants in American History and Civics Education programs to schools that created “projects that incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse perspectives.” The rule cited the New York Times’ “landmark” 1619 Project and the work of Kendi as shining examples of the ideas Biden wants to use to indoctrinate children into anti-white racism.
American History and Civics Education programs can play an important role in this critical effort by supporting teaching and learning that reflects the breadth and depth of our Nation’s diverse history and the vital role of diversity in our Nation’s democracy. For example, there is growing acknowledgement of the importance of including, in the teaching and learning of our country’s history, both the consequences of slavery, and the significant contributions of Black Americans to our society. This acknowledgement is reflected, for example, in the New York Times’ landmark “1619 Project” and in the resources of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History.
Accordingly, schools across the country are working to incorporate anti-racist practices into teaching and learning. As the scholar Ibram X. Kendi has expressed, “[a]n antiracist idea is any idea that suggests the racial groups are equals in all their apparent differences—that there is nothing right or wrong with any racial group. Antiracist ideas argue that racist policies are the cause of racial inequities.” It is critical that the teaching of American history and civics creates learning experiences that validate and reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students.
These rule changes were intended to the foundation for the full-blown indoctrination of children into anti-white racism.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the apparent backpedal to Joe Biden’s critical race theory indoctrination plans in a post on the department’s official blog:
The teaching of civics and history – an opportunity to better understand our past and how our government works so we can engage in and influence our future – has long provided the foundation for students to be active participants in society and help our nation live up to its highest ideals. These values have been championed over the years by Americans of all backgrounds, and they are deeply embedded in our commitment to both patriotism and progress.
One of the ways the Department carries out these efforts is through programs like the American History and Civics grant programs, part of which was first launched in the early 2000’s, authorized in 2017 and supported by bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate. The goal of this program is to improve the quality of American history, civics, and government education in order to provide more students the opportunity to learn about the rich history of our nation and build the skills needed to fully participate in civic life. The program enables higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and other interested applicants the opportunity to explore innovative and creative ways to support educators and the teaching of history to students, aiming to build a more active, engaged society. This program, however, has not, does not, and will not dictate or recommend specific curriculum be introduced or taught in classrooms. Those decisions are – and will continue to be – made at the local level. (emphasis mine)
That’s good news, right? Not really. Later in the post, we read:
Today the Department is posting the Notices Inviting Applications for this year’s American History and Civics grant competitions. The notices include two priorities that are invitational, meaning they encourage applicants to address topics that are important to the Department. The first invitational priority encourages projects that incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse perspectives into teaching and learning. This priority is included because the Department recognizes the value of supporting teaching and learning that reflects the rich diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students. (emphasis mine)
Did you notice the use of exactly the same language Biden used in his rule change proposal? In other words, Biden and the ED didn’t backpedal on their plan to give grants to schools that indoctrinate children into anti-white racism — they will simply avoid using the words 1619 Project and critical race theory to get it done.
When Joe Biden and the Education Department first introduced their 1619 Project, critical race theory mandate, 20 state attorneys general sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, demanding that the administration’s new proposed priorities be rejected. The letter concluded:
“The proposed priorities should be rejected. At the very least, the Department should make it clear that it will not fund projects that promote CRT or any projects that characterize the United States as irredeemably racist or founded on principles of racism (as opposed to principles of equality) or that purport to ascribe character traits, values, privileges, status, or beliefs, or that assign fault, blame, or bias, to a particular race or to an individual because of his or her race.”
While some have been quick to claim victory over Joe Biden and the ED, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who led the group of attorneys general in opposition to the rule change, warned that proponents of the 1619 Project and critical race theory could still promote the indoctrination of children into anti-white racism under a different name:
“Even as we celebrate this victory, however, we must stay watchful.
“Bureaucrats in Washington could very well stop using the term ‘critical race theory’ while continuing to fund programs that veer into bigotry, divisiveness and indoctrination aimed at discrediting American institutions and the beauty of our Constitution. We will continue working to preserve the qualities that make our republic a shining city on a hill.” (emphasis mine)
Critical race theory has its roots in Marxism, which is why it’s embraced by Black Lives Matter — BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullers admits that she and her fellow organizers are “trained Marxists” — and it helped fuel the death and destruction we witnessed during last summer’s riots.
The 1619 Project and critical race theory are also the drivers behind the push for government-sanctioned, taxpayer-financed, anti-white racism reparations movement being peddled by anti-white racists like Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Black Lives Matter, and Biden’s ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
So, when you hear news about Biden backpedaling on his agenda, remember that his goal is and always will be the indoctrination of our children into anti-white racism.
David Leach is the owner of the Strident Conservative. He holds people of every political stripe accountable for their failure to uphold conservative values, and he promotes those values instead of political parties.
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