Lots of hype about “critical race theory” these days. The best explanation I’ve seen can be found at alternet. org/2021/06/critical-race-theory. But we really should de-racialize the whole argument. The reality is discrimination that harms equal opportunity is not just a racial issue. There is, aside from racial distinctions, systemic discrimination based on sex, religion, and disability status. The issue is really one of xenophobia - fear of or disregard for others. And it’s not a matter of whether we recognize the otherness of groups and individuals.

It’s fine to recognize color, to see that someone else is black or brown, of Mexican or Irish origin, to see that they are male or female or neither, or to recognize that they hold different religious beliefs. The problem is the assumptions we make and are taught to make about otherness, and the translation of those assumptions into laws or policies that result in inequality of opportunity for those others.

The example given in the article about the disparate effects of crack/cocaine sentencing is a good one. But another would be the construction standards for public buildings. For years, we built curbs, stairs, and doorways for the majority to be able to walk on two legs easily. We disregarded those who could not. It wasn’t a matter of hatred, just disregard. Then, recognizing that these standards actual harmed the opportunity for those who could not walk on two legs, we finally came to our senses. Without the slightest harm to the walking public, we started making travel more accommodating to those with physical disabilities.

Well, what about voting? The facts are that, if we just seek to expand the opportunity for everyone to vote in elections, without harming anyone we can extend that opportunity equally to people of color, those living in big cities and rural areas, women and men, disabled and homebound alike. The problem is that too many people hold to the deadwrong myth that equal opportunity for others somehow deprives them of opportunity. It’s a false assumption that has a discriminatory outcome.

Mary Bell Lockhart

Alpine