Political Engagement 

       5 of 6                                                Cristopher Rufo

   No longer simply an academic matter, critical race theory has become a tool of political power. It is driving the vast machinery of the state and society. If we want to succeed in opposing it, we must address it politically at every level.

   Theorists must be confronted with and forced to speak to the facts. Do they support public schools separating first-graders into groups of "oppressors" and "oppressed?" Do they support mandatory curricula teaching that "all white people play a part in perpetuating systemic racism? 

   Do they support public schools instructing white parents to become "white traitors" and advocate for "white abolition?" Do they want those who work in government to be required to undergo reeducation? How about managers and workers in corporate America? How about the men and women in our military? How about every one of us?

   There are three parts to a successful strategy to defeat the forces of critical race theory, governmental action, grassroots mobilization, and an appeal to principle.

   We already see examples of government action. Last year, one of my reports led President Trump to issue an executive order banning critical race theory-based training programs in the federal government. President Biden rescinded this order on his first day in office, but it provides a model for governors and municipal leaders to follow. 

   This year, several state legislatures have introduced bills to achieve the same goal: preventing public institutions from conducting programs that stereotype, scapegoat or demean people on the basis of race. And I have organized a coalition of attorneys to file lawsuits against schools and government agencies that impose critical race theory-based programs on grounds of...

- the First Amendment (which protects citizens from compelled speech), 

- the Fourteenth Amendment (which provides equal protection under the law) 

- and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibits public institutions from discriminating on the basis of race).

Friday: Conclusion...courage