Critical Race Theory

How Should God-Fearing Parents Respond to CRT?

Have you ever looked at the news, looked at your children, looked at social media, looked back at your children, and asked yourself, “How in the world do I raise my babies in all of this mess?”

The Bible says we are in this world but not of it.

John 15:19 says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of this world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

We all want the best for our children. We want them to be happy, yes? We want them to have good friends and to be a good friend. We want them to fit in but not give in to peer pressure. We want them to be leaders and not followers.

But in a society that has unscrupulously imposed its leftist critical race theory ideologies on the masses as young as five years old, how do we teach them to properly discern? Do we teach them to see color or to be colorblind? Do we teach them to specifically cater to minorities in an effort to help them feel less marginalized?

Should white parents teach their children of this so-called white privilege and black parents teach their children to accept special treatment because they’re entitled due to past circumstances of oppression?

Most importantly, how do we raise Christian children in this agnostic society that creates rules and norms that satisfy worldly standards?

Just. So. Much.

I’ve been a Christian for 40 years, a mom for almost 15, a Conservative-minded adult for 20, and a black human being for 45. I can honestly tell you the characteristic I’ve been the longest has played the smallest role as I go about my business of doing life. I was fortunate enough to be raised under the instruction of two parents who focused very little on the color of our skin. Only in examples of not using it as an excuse or a badge of honor was “being black” a prevalent topic of discussion in our home.

That is how it should be, my friends. People talk too much nowadays, and the ones who are saying the most should be saying the least.

How do we raise our children to be in the world but not of it?

To be clear, differences are beautiful. They’re essential, even. Without our differences, the world would be a monotonous and boring place.

We can all recognize each other’s differences and maybe even experience a bit of envy. But as parents, how do we teach our children how to handle those differences? I believe we start by being the ones who handle them.

Parents, I wish I could say that there’s no need to talk to your children so intently about these things because kids are smart—they figure this stuff out on their own as my sisters and I did. My parents had very few conversations about race. In our day, it was more general…God, the Bible, our studies, being good, responsible humans, not necessarily being black humans.

Sadly, those days are gone. With the ever-increasing indoctrination in our children’s schools, it’s important to teach them what you want them to believe first. Consider this like the sex talk—you don’t want them learning things from the streets. And nowadays, when it comes to critical race theory, the schools are quickly becoming as bad as the streets.

Where should conversations with our children begin? Start by asking your children what they know. Let them take the lead on this. Ask them what their friends are like. See if they mention that they have a black or white friend. It’d be interesting to hear if they specifically mention color when referring to their friends. If your child is very young, most likely they won’t mention color—and that’s a good thing!

Conversations with middle school-aged children and older can be more comprehensive. You can dig deeper. Ask first their perception of what’s going on in society regarding race today. Ask them their thoughts and opinions. Then, advise them on how you think it’s best they approach the issue. If your children are white, don’t let them look upon their black friends with pity.

Do we teach them to specifically cater to minorities in an effort to help them feel less marginalized? First, I’d love it if this word would stop being used so frequently when describing minorities. Marginalized is defined as “relegating a person to an unimportant or powerless position…” A person is only unimportant or powerless if they deem themselves so. Can we all agree on that? Who dares tell someone they’re unimportant or powerless? I submit only those who have a nefarious agenda–those who seek control. (Now, look at who in our society uses that term most frequently in their incessant dialogues about race.)

Encourage your children to stand up for minorities if they see them being mistreated, but that goes for any person! Standing up for someone is innate in good people regardless of color. Teach your children to be good people. But steer clear of narratives that say black people need to be rescued. If your child comes to the defense of a black child who is being bullied or discriminated against, the black child should be grateful merely for the support and encouragement—not the support and encouragement specifically from a white person. And a child should come to the aid of anyone being discriminated against for any reason, not just because they’re black.

Should your children see color? Color in terms of segregating? No. Color and culture in terms of appreciation? Yes! There are a plethora of distinctions between cultures. There are even differences of cultures within races and ethnicities. Within the white race, celebrations and traditions vary, as they do within the black race. Teach them to value cultural differences as opposed to color differences. Besides cultural differences being more nuanced and interesting, it tears down the race walls our society seems hell-bent upon building.

Should white parents teach their children of their white privilege and black parents teach their children to accept any special treatment given to them because they’re entitled due to centuries of oppression? No and no. Simply put, white privilege exists based on the same merit black entitlement does. Neither should be a thing. White people are not more privileged though they think they are, and black people should not feel a sense of entitlement though they do. Both of these elements are extremely detrimental to a peaceful society, and neither facilitate equality.

How do we raise Christian children in this agnostic, man-centered society? Ahh. I saved the best, most productive question for last. How indeed! We find the answers, strength, wisdom, and discernment for raising our children, first, in the Word of God. They say children don’t come with a manual. I disagree. The Bible is our manual. It is the be all, end all. No, it does not provide specific answers to specific questions like the ones I posed above. Maybe ask yourself why that is? I believe it’s because God does not want us getting caught up in frivolous things like this.

There is a world dying out there. Death is equal opportunity. It takes no regard for race, ethnicity, sex, or creed. So the Bible focuses on the essentials for life. It teaches how to raise children to honor their father and mother; to love others more than they love themselves; to bless and serve others; to share the gospel—a story of a King Who left His throne in heaven to come to earth, live humbly among His creation, and to sacrifice His life as the ransom for all.

The gospel sees no color, race, or ethnicity. The gospel is geared towards the salvation of souls. And every soul, regardless of the body in which it is housed, is in desperate need of a Savior. THAT is what we teach our children. And here’s what, Parents: when you teach them those basics, everything else falls into place. Sure, instances may come up that require specific attention on a particular topic. But always bring the conversation back to Christ. Which brings me to my next point…

Parents, you’re in charge. You. Not their school teacher. Not the superintendent. Not even their Sunday school teacher. You. Those children are yours to mold and teach in the way and order of the Lord.

You want to stand up for someone’s rights? Stand up for yours as the parent of your children. If you’re staying in the Word, seeking God every day, He will give you wisdom and discernment. So when your gut tells you there’s some outside indoctrination going on in place of the basic education of reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, that’s the Holy Spirit sending up a flare. Respond to it. Act. Hold fast.

Bringing this full circle back to John 15:19, if we were of this world, the world would love us. Well, I don’t need to be loved by the world. I mean, look around…do you? If I’m blending in with utter chaos and madness, then I’m doing something wrong. Further, the Bible says that because God chose us, the world will hate us.

I don’t want to blend into a Godless society. I don’t want my children to blend into a Godless society. I don’t want to be loved by those who are enemies of God. If you’re hated by other nosey parents in the PTA who think you should be “educating” your children more…hated by the white parents touting their supposed privilege and hated by the black parents who expect you to recognize their supposed entitlement, you’re on the right track, Mom and Dad.

Jesus didn’t blend in and assimilate. He stood out, and He was hated for it. He looked differently, sounded differently, loved differently. That is what I want for my family. And it’s ok to want that for yours.

It’s time, folks. It’s time to stand out, stand strong and hold the line. The media would have you believe every “good parent” is in support of their children being taught Critical Race Theory. It is not so! Don’t be fooled. Don’t let those with their own agenda that is not in line with the Word of God trick you into believing that “everyone is doing it.”

I believe the majority of Americans want to raise children with good morals. Many, with Christian values. Is parenting not hard enough? Do we not have enough to worry about? I know I do. And unless it’s with something delightfully delicious and fattening, I, for one, am not going to add to my plate.

You’re doing all right, Parents. Stick to teaching your children about God and His word, and trust that God will help you in navigating all the rest.

Author: Bridget Depew

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