As the battle for America’s soul continues with critical race theory in schools across the country, the Woodson Center is encouraging the implementation of the 1776 Unites curriculum instead, according to the Washington Times. It is an initiative that Republicans all throughout the country should immediately start supporting.
While many have heard of the 1619 Project and CRT, unfortunately, the tenets of 1776 Unites have not received as much attention. Focusing on “authentic, inspiring stories from American history that show what is best in our national character,” the curriculum will also allow schools to showcase the contributions of black Americans to society and “celebrate black excellence, reject victimhood culture, and showcase the millions of African Americans who have prospered by embracing their country’s founding ideals.”
While many Republicans have spoken against CRT, few, if any, have offered up an alternative. Much of Republican criticism of CRT has expectedly been labeled the usual tropes by those on the Left: racist, white supremacist, and contemporary Jim Crow. These are nonsensical, of course, but prevalent, nevertheless. This is the exact reason why 1776 Unites is the perfect remedy.
Imagine a time in the future when students of all races are taught to embrace their racial identities as positive contributions to American history instead of being told various groups were marginalized and oppressed. Imagine a generation of students who are educated on the numerous examples of minorities’ contributions to America and how millions more became successful by embracing America’s ideals such as capitalism, limited government, and individual responsibility.
Surprisingly, Republicans have not actively pushed for the adoption of 1776 Unites, even though it essentially accomplishes everything they claim they want. With a curriculum designed to “empower historically accurate lessons for students of all backgrounds, 1776 Unites is the perfect solution against CRT for Republicans. Students are empowered to “seize the opportunities afforded them today” instead of perpetual victimization surrendering to a perceived lack of social mobility. Every remedy Republicans seek to challenge CRT is found in the 1776 Unites curriculum, yet one would be hard pressed to find any Republican that has endorsed, supported, or is even aware of it.
Robert Woodson, founder of 1776 Unites, supported the idea that our country’s founders conceived this republic “upon a set of virtues and values that would create a truly free society, the freest the world had ever seen. They even knew at the time it was falling short of truly delivering on that promise for all, but they knew what they were working toward.”
The battle over CRT is far from over. And, as revelations of corporations including CRT in employee training show, its toxic ideas are infiltrating society beyond the classroom. To remedy the situation will require a culture change. This change can start by Republicans following the lead of African American scholars such as Robert Woodson, Carol Swain, Glenn Loury, and Wilfred Reilly and taking the lessons of 1776 Unites and apply them to the curriculum of students who will shape the future of our country.
