Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) asked Education Secretary Miguel Cardona why he pulled back guidance to public schools on teaching Critical Race Theory, Ibram Kendi’s works, and the 1619 Project.
We cover Critical Race Theory, Ibram Kendi, and the 1619 Project.
Cardona, the typical politician, answered with a non-answer:
BANKS: “In April of 2021, your department proposed a rule incentivizing public schools to incorporate Critical Race Theory in U.S. history and civics classes. The rule cited Ibram X. Kendi’s work and the 1619 Project as examples of the sort of ideas that the department would promote. However, just three months later, you backtracked on the plan and released a watered down updated guidance that didn’t mention Ibram X. Kendi or the 1619 Project. Mr. Secretary, why did the department remove references to Ibram X. Kendi and the 1619 Project in its updated guidance?”CARDONA: “Thank you, congressman, for the question. We take the role of supporting our districts and schools very seriously, and we know that decisions around curricular materials are best left to local districts, and we’ll continue to have that belief as we move forward.”BANKS: “So you — you — the guidance was there telling teachers in schools go teach about Ibram X. Kendi and 1619 project? You took it out. Did you take it out because you decided ultimately that what they’re teaching is inappropriate to teach our kids?”CARDONA: “Well, as I said, Congressman Banks, we take the role very seriously of what we have, and the federal government doesn’t have a role in curriculum, but what we recognize and what you mentioned, illustrates how –”BANKS: “I’m asking whether or not it’s appropriate. Mr. Kendi called Justice Amy Coney Barrett a white colonizer, because she adopted two Haitian children. Do you think that’s appropriate to teach our kids?”CARDONA: “What I was going to say earlier, sir, is we recognize –”BANKS: “Mr. Kendi also in his book, he stated that capitalism is essentially racist. So at one point you wanted to teach our kids Ibram X. Kendi’s findings and his teachings that capitalism is racist. Do you believe capitalism is essentially racist?”CARDONA: “What I was gonna say, sir, is that this issue of — you know, even the grant proposal that we put out while we don’t influence curriculum has become the target of — of divisive culture wars, and we choose to stay above that and really focus on supporting our districts and our states.”
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