Critical Race Theory
Q&A With Brian McLaren
Question & Answer
Q: By A Reader
How can I get through to my friends and relatives who have been activated by Fox News and other extremist media to be afraid of Critical Race Theory? They don’t even know what CRT is, but they sure are afraid of it.
A: By Brian D. McLaren
Dear Reader,
Your question brings to mind an experience from a couple years ago, before CRT was widely discussed. I was driving a relative to an airport not far from where I live in Florida. He was a reluctant but firm Trump supporter, terribly anxious about Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and everything else Fox News told him to fear. He said something critical of Colin Kaepernick and I said something supportive of him and pretty soon, we were on the verge of an argument. I took a breath … I knew an argument would only solidify us in our positions. What could I say?
We drove along for two or three minutes in a tense silence. I passed a sign that said, “Entering Lee County.” I started telling my relative this story, keeping my eyes on the road. “We just entered Lee County. Before 1887, this was part of Monroe County. But local folks wanted their own county, and they needed a name for it. I can’t help but wonder why Floridians in 1887 would name their new county after Robert E. Lee, the leader of the confederacy, the defender of slavery, the general who lost the Civil War.”
My relative didn’t say anything, but I could tell, instead of arguing, he was wondering, imagining, thinking.
Over the next few moments, the tension began to dissipate. I said. “Today, about a quarter of Fort Myers, the largest city in Lee County, is black. If Black folks here need to go to court, they have to pass by a big statue of Robert E Lee before they enter the courthouse. Then, when they stand before the judge or the county council, they will see a huge mural of Robert E. Lee there behind them. I can’t help but wonder how that would feel for them.”
There was silence, and after a few moments, my relative said, “Wow. I never thought of it that way before.”
I hold no illusions that my relative gave up Fox and started voting Democratic from then on. But I know that one small moment of empathy occurred and took us to a place that no argument ever could. Perhaps small moments like that add up.
Admittedly, these moments are rare. But I can’t help but wonder what would happen if more of us practiced ways to invite others out of argument and fear and into empathy and compassion.
~ Brian D. McLaren
This Q&A was originally published on Progressing Spirit – As a member of this online community, you’ll receive insightful weekly essays, access to all of the essay archives (including all of Bishop John Shelby Spong), and answers to your questions in our free weekly Q&A. Click here to see free sample essays.
About the Author
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is an Auburn Senior Fellow and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative training/mentoring program for pastors, church planters, and lay leaders called Convergence Leadership Project. He works closely with the Center for Progressive Renewal/Convergence, the Wild Goose Festival and the Fair Food Program‘s Faith Working Group. His most recent book is Faith After Doubt. He is the author of the illustrated children’s book (for all ages) called Cory and the Seventh Story, The Great Spiritual Migration, We Make the Road by Walking, and Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Brian’s next book, Do I Stay Christian?, will be available May 24, 2022 (https://read.macmillan.com/