Code Switch From "CRT" to "DEI": A history of race and moral panics
Dec 31, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Kiara Bridges, a critical race scholar and law professor at UC Berkeley, breaks down critical race theory and its origins. She connects the historical significance of moral panics, primarily focusing on fears surrounding race and education. The conversation touches on how legislative actions reflect broader societal anxieties, and the alarming trend of conflating CRT with DEI initiatives. Bridges also challenges the narratives surrounding integration and resources, revealing the complexities of America's educational landscape.
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New Parent Panic After Uvalde
- Gene Demby recounts dropping his infant at daycare and the intense worry that followed when the Uvalde school shooting happened.
- That fear made him empathize with parents who become activated or credulous about things promising child safety.
Three Parts Of A Moral Panic
- Zalika Zavaios outlines three components that define moral panics: new-but-rooted threats, symbolic depth, and opacity requiring experts.
- These components explain why issues like video games or CRT become magnified beyond their real harm.
Why CRT Fit The Moral Panic Mold
- Gene Demby maps those components onto the CRT controversy: old racial fears made new by branding, signaling deeper societal threats, and opaque definitions.
- That mix plus schools as focal points created fertile ground for sustained panic.