Summary of Critical Race Theory: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

00:00:00 - 00:25:00

In this video, John Oliver discusses critical race theory and how it can be used to further understand racism and discrimination in society. He also highlights how the theory can be misused, leading to negative consequences.

• 00:00:00 John Oliver discusses critical race theory, which is a false and racist theory that is being taught in schools. Many people are concerned about the spread of this theory, and its consequences for everyone involved.
• 00:05:00 Critic Cory's theory of "critical race theory" is a pseudo-scientific ideology that is being taught in schools, often presented in a distorted way, and is being used to drive up negative perceptions of race. Fox News has been featuring Christopher Rufo on air a lot as part of their efforts to swing the pendulum back hard on this issue. The goal is to have the public read something crazy in the newspaper and immediately think of "critical race theory." President Trump has the authority and power to immediately issue an executive order abolishing critical race theory trainings from the federal government. I call on the president to immediately issue this executive order and stamp out this destructive, divisive ideology at its root.
• 00:10:00 In this video, John Oliver highlights the dangers of critical race theory (CRT), which is a theory that suggests that racism and other forms of discrimination still exist in contemporary society. CRT has been criticized for its glib way of addressing very serious subjects, and for its tendency to divide classrooms by race. One recent example of how CRT can go wrong is the lesson where a brown-eyed student was treated poorly in a classroom filled with diverse students. Ali, one of the writers for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," provides her opinion on the lesson. CRT is also used by those pushing for school choice, which is a policy that would allow parents to take their children out of failing public schools. Paula Dean, a writer for "The New York Times," discusses the history of school choice in the United States. Finally, a high school principle in Texas and a Tennessee teacher are both fired for their involvement in CRT.
• 00:15:00 John Oliver discusses critical race theory and the varying viewpoints that are seldom heard in mainstream society. He also discusses a bill in Tennessee that would prohibit teaching that causes discomfort or distress solely because of an individual's race or sex.
• 00:20:00 In this one-hour long episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," the host discusses critical race theory, which is a theory that contends that race is an important factor in many societal institutions and interactions. The theory has been criticized for being destructive, as it can lead to feelings of anger and frustration among those who are affected by racism. The episode also discusses book bans and how they are becoming more common in America. Oliver points out that, while book bans may seem like a good idea, they actually have a chilling effect on society as they limit the ability to discuss and confront racism.
• 00:25:00 John Oliver discusses Critical Race Theory and how it can be uncomfortable for some students, but it is important to engage in these conversations in order to learn and grow as people.