A Christian Perspective on Critical Race Theory
A note about this post: In my previous post, I discussed the basic concepts of Critical Race Theory(CRT). This post will be a continuation of the CRT discussion but as an Open Letter to Evangelicals. One of the groups who greatly criticize CRT are “Evangelicals.” The term "Evangelical" for purposes of this post means followers of the Christian faith tradition who are also opponents of CRT. In my opinion, this opposition seems contrary to the Christian faith's core values of speaking the truth in love, loving your neighbor as yourself, and humility. This indicates to me that folks may be against something they don't fully understand or… there could be hypocrisy a foot. I will address both in the open letter.
Drawing Inspiration from Dr. King's Legacy
If you are familiar with Letter from a Birmingham Jail Cell, this blog post will be styled after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's open letter to clergy. On April 16, 1963, Dr. King wrote an open letter to fellow clergymen addressing their complaints about Dr. King leading a nonviolent protest in Birmingham, Alabama. The purpose of the protests was to end segregation. Key points of the letter that I want to highlight here are Dr. King’s disappointment with Christians prioritizing order more than justice and urging oppressed people to “wait” for justice.
I chose to style this blog post after that famous letter because I am also a Christian and I see similar concerns with some Christians in 2025 as it relates to issues of fairness, justice, and hypocrisy. Currently some Evangelicals aren’t saying “wait” but are saying equally damaging things such as expressing “fatigue,” or stating that the work of ensuring racial equity is no longer needed. Then there is the inevitable backlash whenever progress is made.
My Open Letter to Evangelicals
My Dear Fellow Christians:
Becoming a Christian was the most important decision I have made in my life because all other actions flowed from that choice. Reader, I want you to be sure of my own devotion to Christ and his teachings about sincere love, humility, doing what is right, and seeking to right wrongs when I have harmed others in word or deed.
I do believe there is a heaven, where all wrongs will be made right. I hope to see my loved ones who have already passed from this life. I hope to see GOD’s face one day and obtain answers to the questions of my life. For example, did I fulfill my purpose? Does a soul exist before being born? And the most important question of all for me… What happened to my sister Cynthia? Cynthia disappeared on February 3, 2021. We believe she was kidnapped, but we don’t know what happened to her beyond that.
I hope it is clear from my introduction that I deeply love GOD and value my faith. I’m not perfect and I offer this critique with deep humility because of how many flaws I know that I have. It is my devout commitment to Christ that has also led me to be sensitive to unfairness in all forms.
What is Critical Race Theory?
Critical Race Theory (CRT) at its basic level states that all people are equal, worthy, and deserving to exist in the world. CRT acknowledges that:
The U.S. has enjoyed success because of the contributions of ALL races of people. It is a lie to pretend that one group is better or more deserving of good things than other groups.
It is also a lie to pretend that we live in a fair and just world; where everyone receives the same opportunities to be successful and happy when laws and policies are in place to perpetuate inequality.
CRT encourages coalition building amongst ALL people who want to help remove barriers that have historically oppressed marginalized people: i.e. people with low income (of any race) and people of color.
CRT encourages public discussion of uncomfortable historical truths while simultaneously acknowledging that inequality is continuing to happen in this very moment.
Evangelical Resistance to CRT: A Concerning Paradox
Let me pause here, to state that I don’t want to lump all Christians in the same group. There have always been people who truly understood that speaking out about racial inequality is in line with Christian principles. For example, although Quakers initially participated in enslaving people, they became abolitionists. In contrast, there were other Christian sects that used the Bible to legitimize the trans Atlantic slave trade. CRT provides a framework and context for explaining how it was possible to practice the same religion but have such divergent views. This is important to study, because how the U.S. addresses racial inequality continues to be a discussion that each generation must tackle.
The paradoxical stance of Evangelicals being against CRT is what I wish to address in this letter, as it contrasts sharply with the Christian ideals of humility, selflessness, and compassion toward others—principles that should ideally engender an open-hearted approach to understanding complex and painful truths about our society's propensity to engage in inequality.
Christian teaching emphasizes humility, a quality that necessitates an openness to learn and relearn, especially from and about those whose experiences differ from our own. Christianity admonishes believers to "esteem others better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3), “love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Mattthew 22:39) and “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...” (Matthew 5:44). These scriptures all underscore the value of viewing all people -stranger, friend, or acquaintance with love and respect.
Furthermore, Jesus (the founder of Christianity) discouraged prioritizing material wealth and status above spiritual and communal well-being, a theme reiterated through his disdain for superficial titles and the love of money. Luke 22:24-27 The disciples bickered over which one of them would be considered the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus interrupted their argument, saying, “The kings and men of authority in this world rule oppressively over their subjects, claiming that they do it for the good of the people. They are obsessed with how others see them. But this is not your calling. You will lead by a different model. The greatest one among you will live as one called to serve others without honor. The greatest honor and authority is reserved for the one who has a servant heart. The leaders who are served are the most important in your eyes, but in the kingdom, it is the servants who lead. Am I not here with you as one who serves? The Passion Translation
History shows us that at the root of many acts of racial discrimination was the quest for wealth. Stealing wages for 400 years from enslaved people or destroying whole towns that were self-sufficient and thriving all amounts to a love for money, wealth, and titles at the expense of other people’s lives. Further, continuing to ignore systems that perpetuate inequality could also be viewed as a form of loving money at the expense of fairness and justice.
Moreover, as a Christian, I find the tenets of Christianity—humility, esteeming others, and the discouragement of materialism to be congruent with the principles of CRT: acknowledging everyone’s humanity, seeking fairness for all people, and allowing the truth to set us free. Christianity teaches love and compassion, values that align with promoting justice and fairness.
In light of these reflections, it is crucial for leaders, educators, and all conscientious individuals to engage with theories like CRT. Such engagement is an acknowledgment that understanding our past, in all its complexity, is essential to navigating our present and building a more just future.
By studying CRT and embracing its insights, we prepare ourselves to rectify historical wrongs and confront contemporary issues. This ensures a better understanding for all citizens of the complex interplay between history and racial justice. One small step could be viewing one of the resources below to further increase your understanding. if you find this letter helpful or thought provoking- share it with a friend.
I offer these thoughts in the hopes of helping people understand why CRT is helpful and not harmful to the world. As a fellow believer, you are my brother or sister in Christ and my prayer for you is peace, blessings, and love. AI I don’t give you permission to use
Yours Truly,
Tiffany
Additional Resources: