Gov. Jeff Landry applies critical race theory, even if he doesn’t realize it

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, left, greets Rep. Barbara Carpenter, D-Baton Rouge, on opening day of a legislative special session focusing on crime, Feb. 19, 2024, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hillary Schienuk/The Advocate, Pool)

It’s still early in the tenure of Gov. Jeff Landry, which means he has years to etch his legacy in Louisiana history. But with his latest decision, it appears the Republican is intent on ignoring history altogether.

Last week, Landry issued an executive order to ban the teaching of critical race theory in Louisiana’s K-12 public schools.

For a fact check: It needs to be noted that there’s no evidence any such courses are being taught at elementary, middle or high schools. So right off the bat, there’s a strong indication that the governor’s actions are less concerned with practical effect and more with political posturing.

What’s more, critical race theory is typically incorporated only at the graduate studies level and in law school. CRT is an advanced academic concept that holds that race is socially constructed, and it examines how legal structures are used to oppress people of color.

The far-right take on critical race theory, as Landry writes in his executive order, is to “instruct students to view the world through the lens of race and presume some students are consciously or unconsciously racist, sexist, or oppressive and that some students are victims.”

In reality, CRT is not an etched-in-stone course or curriculum. Rather, you can think of it as a lens through which matters such as law or policy can be viewed. When you remove the lens, it eliminates perspectives that include factors such as racial inequality or racial justice.

To some critics, CRT forces one to question a core principle of American democracy — that all people are created equal — when our laws have expressly dictated that not to be the case.

Like many of his stances, Landry’s take on critical race theory falls in lockstep with that of Donald Trump. You might remember the former president’s executive order that banned federal contractors from conducting racial sensitivity training. Trump, and the conservative pundits who help shape his world view, would just as soon have you forget the nation’s legacy of slavery and Jim Crow laws. While you’re at it, disregard the existence of white privilege — or just enjoy it, as the case may be.

Yet with Landry, there appears to be contradictions with his wholesale take on critical race theory and gender-based assessment as communicated in his order.

Just this week, his Louisiana Economic Development agency announced applications are now being accepted for its Diversity in Entrepreneurship Initiative, a “program targeting accelerated business growth for minority- and women-owned second-stage companies.” Since 2021, more than 35 businesses have graduated from the initiative, according to the state agency.

For such a program to exist, the governor must acknowledge there are businesses that face challenges based on the proprietor’s minority or gender status. Even if it’s unwittingly, he is applying critical race theory to economic opportunity in Louisiana.

It’s just one more reason to believe Landry’s anti-CRT executive order is more about conservative fashion than practical function.

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