Ibram X. Kendi in Fairfax County Schools

This post reveals Ibram X. Kendi’s recent association with and influence on the Fairfax County, Virginia public school system.

Kendi is a well-known advocate of Critical Race Theory (“CRT”).  CRT is a world view which contends that the prevailing culture of the United States, together with often-unconscious “white supremacy,” creates “privilege” for the white majority, as well as “systemic racism” disadvantage for minorities.  Kendi’s opinions are summarized in a December 19, 2021 post on this site.

Contract between Kendi and Fairfax County Schools

In July 2020, the Fairfax County School Board entered into a contract with Kendi to speak at its “Back to School Kick-Off” on August 6, 2020.  Approximately 1,500 school administrators, teachers and staff were expected to participate.  The contract specified that Kendi’s speech would be virtual, no travel required.  He agreed to speak for 45 minutes, followed by a 15 minute question-and-answer period.

Kendi  received $20,000 for the one hour of travel-free work.  His website discloses that he has given thousands of speeches around the country, so he presumably wasn’t required to spend many days or hours preparing for this appearance.  Not a bad gig for an avowed anti-capitalist!

Kendi went to great pains to require secrecy.  He insisted that the contract terms (including the amount he was paid) be kept confidential from the public to the maximum possible extent.  The contract also required the School Board  to prohibit persons in the audience from recording the event.  The School Board was permitted to make an audiovisual recording, but only for archival purposes.  It was required to keep the recording secret from the public, except as required by law or as required by court order.

Kendi’s Books in Fairfax County Public Schools

Since July 2020, more than 3,000 copies of Kendi’s books have been purchased by the Fairfax County administrative offices and by schools throughout the county, according to records obtained under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.  The cost during this period has exceeded $40,000.

The records reveal that more than 400 copies of Kendi’s books have been purchased by the school system’s executive and administrative departments.  Individual Fairfax schools have purchased the remainder.  The quantity has varied from school to school.  Some of the largest purchasers include Glasgow Middle School (400 copies), Hunters Woods Elementary School (140), Chantilly High School (130) Frost Middle School (100), Terra Cotta Elementary School (100), Westfield High School (80), and Woodson High School (79).  Major purchases such as these strongly suggest that Kendi’s books have not only been used to instruct and guide teachers, but also to distribute them to students as reading material.

It is not known how many of Fairfax County’s schools carry copies of Kendi’s books in their libraries.

Kendi’s Influence on Teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools

The Fairfax County school system has been engaged in a comprehensive review and revision of its curriculum in the last couple of years to increase the attention given to racial and cultural issues.  Kendi is often cited as one of the people whose views are informing this effort.  In addition, some of the teaching materials adopt and approve of his lingo, such as materials on “privilege,” “systemic racism,” and how to be an “antiracist” educator.  Some of these materials will be reviewed in upcoming posts.

Yes, Virginia, Critical Race Theory Is in Fairfax County Public Schools

During the 2021 campaign for Virginia Governor, much debate centered on whether Critical Race Theory has become embedded in Virginia schools.  The Democrat candidate, Terry McAuliffe, vehemently denied it was being taught; he even said it was a “racist dog whistle” for his opponent to say otherwise.  TV commentators, particularly on MSNBC and CNN, parroted McAuliffe’s position repeatedly, without doing any research to determine the truth of their assertions.

The facts summarized above demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that CRT is being taught in Fairfax County public schools.  The school system has paid a leading proponent of Critical Race Theory tens of thousands of dollars to lecture Fairfax teachers about his race-centric view of the world, and it has paid even more to flood the classrooms with his books.

Critical Race Theory has been brought into Fairfax County schools in other ways as well, including “privilege” exercises, “systemic racism” indoctrination, and “antiracism” programs.  But one needs to look no further than the school system’s endorsement of Ibram X. Kendi to recognize how CRT is infiltrating Fairfax County schools.

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