Brian Elam, a militant trade unionist, revolutionary socialist and determined fighter for the interests of the international working class died Friday, June 2 at his sister Mary Ellen’s home in Kokomo, Indiana. He was 71 years old. The cause of death was cancer. Brian was an early supporter of World-Outlook and helped it become known among other workers.
This is the third and final part of a three-part series on what are the issues in a public debate in the United States on critical race theory (CRT). The first part explained how the right-wing campaign against CRT is aimed at preventing the teaching of essential facts of US history. The second article outlined why distortions of history by liberal academics, journalists, or others weaken the effort to place facts and evidence at the center of the study of history as well as the fight against racism. This article takes up other notions that present similar obstacles to such an effective fight, including arguments that “embracing white guilt” or “renouncing white privilege” are necessary to combat racism.
This is the second part of a three-part series on the issues in a public debate in the United States on critical race theory (CRT). The first part focused on the right-wing crusade against CRT aimed at preventing the teaching of essential facts of U.S. history. The second part explains how refuting this right-wing campaign has been weakened by false arguments promoted by a variety of liberals. These academics, journalists, or others make assertions that do not meet the test of evidence. Some go further to offer interpretations of history that do not stand up to careful examination. Other stalwart opponents of racism do not share these views. These arguments include erroneous claims or exaggerations of facts regarding the character of the American Revolution of 1776, and the reasons for the war for independence against the British monarchy, put forward by the New York Times 1619 Project.