Liberal talk show host Bill Maher expressed his disinterest in critical race theory, saying he was “out” if it meant segregating children by race.
During a panel discussion with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Atlantic staff writer Caitlin Flanagan, Maher discussed the Virginia gubernatorial race and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s comments regarding schools. In a slight aside, Maher mentioned critical race theory and its promotion.
Maher said he was “for it” if authors such as Toni Morrison were taught but not if it meant changing how teachers treated children.
“If that’s what critical race theory means,” Maher said. “If it means separating 5-year-olds by race and telling some, ‘You’re oppressors,’ and the others, ‘You’re the oppressed,’ and giving up on a colorblind society and resegregation and racism is the essence of America — then I’m out.”
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“We have to define what CRT means,” Maher continued.
Flanagan agreed.
“Of course you can teach it,” she said. “What you cannot do is rewrite curriculum and pull kids out by race.”
McAuliffe’s statements about education have drawn criticism. During a Tuesday debate in late September, McAuliffe said he did not want to let parents influence what schools teach.
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“I’m not going to let parents come into schools and actually take books out and make their own decision,” McAuliffe said. “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”
McAuliffe also refused to define critical race theory, saying in an interview it was “racist” and a “dog whistle.” McAuliffe has also claimed the curriculum is not taught in Virginia and that discussing it was “wasting precious viewers’ time.”
