Be honest about critical race theory

Thank you, Eliza Fawcett and the Courant, for your balanced and thorough coverage of the contentious debate over teaching critical race theory [Page 1, June 13, “School leaders call concerns ‘misplaced,’ ”].

Journalism at its best. Regrettably, there are ample grounds for confusion. It seems some advocates might be exacerbating it on purpose.

Critical race theory is not the same as critical thinking. The latter — the ability to distinguish a real argument from a mere opinion is, indeed, critical to good education. Teaching about “systemic” or “institutionalized” racism draws condemnation without apparent understanding by the condemners. Former Vice President Mike Pence even called systemic racism a myth.

Such head-in-sand approaches will not erase the facts of benefits to whites at the expense of Blacks, Hispanics and Indigenous Americans being “baked into” the laws and institutions of this great country. Witness redlining by real estate firms, banks and zoning boards that “maintain the heritage” of Connecticut towns — and prevent minorities from accessing property that can then build wealth over generations.

I was privileged, as a white person, to direct African-American studies at the University of Hartford, and I was a founding member of Healing the Heart of Hartford, a nonprofit dedicated to leading honest conversations about race. Among the many things I learned was honesty is the best policy when it comes to sensitive issues of race. Also, a little humility goes a long way. Harald M. Sandström, Bloomfield