The Politics of Panic: How Critical Race Theory became a dog whistle

Abstract

For my Senior Thesis, I look at the rise against Critical Race Theory after the lynching of George Floyd became the focus of the 2020 and 2022 midterm election. My study endeavors to evaluate the current war on Critical Race Theory. The aim of this research is to investigate how elite driven communication affects the American educational system and the oppressive policies and the over policing of black bodies. Also, how white fragility intentionally creates disadvantages for people of color in the United States educational system. Context focused on the analysis of social media more specifically tweets from the social platform twitter, also consulted on speeches, videos and interviews that these politicians gave about CRT or segments where these people were guests, and discussed the issues of Critical race theory, education curriculum and or Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.