Tulsa Race Massacre Leads to a Conversation on Critical Race Theory Education

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – The Tulsa Race Massacre is a moment in history that experts say is often overlooked. A century ago, what was known as “Black Wall Street” was destroyed by a white mob and as many as 300 blacks were killed. It was a very dark time in American history, but a piece of history that experts say should not be overlooked.

“We can’t really have racial consideration in our society, if we don’t face this extreme brutality towards our past, we are still living this legacy today,” said Dr Nolan Cabrera, associate professor at the Center. for the study of higher education at the University of Arizona.

Dr. Cabrera taught critical breed theory. He said teaching students about racial violence, inequality and historical events, like the Tulsa Race Massacre, is key to promoting change.

“It will just be the perpetuation of more of the same thing. They’re actually going to be the next generation to embrace this violence and neglect of communities of color in the process, ”he said.

Dr Cabrera and Dr Sonja Lanehart, a professor in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona, said teaching critical race theory often faces opposition.

“When you try to disrupt the status quo, you are doing something non-American without realizing that America is nothing without all of the people in it,” she said. “Who is against learning the whole history of this country?” “

They said Critical Race Theory is rarely taught in K-12 education, but it is a more commonly taken course in college and especially for college students. law or education.

“All we do is expose racism and make it known to people so that they can tackle its institutional and systemic nature. They can’t do it if they don’t understand it and if they don’t learn it, ”Lanehart said.

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