What Inclusionists Need To Know About the Anti-CRT Movement

King Williams — Atlanta-based journalist and filmmaker who traces CRT’s history, explains how cases like Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson reveal the gap between what is legal and what is moral, and describes how groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy shaped school narratives in the South.

Alida Miranda-Wolff — CEO and founder of Ethos, clarifies what CRT is (and isn’t), outlines core tenets (race as a social construct; racism embedded in institutions; the role of counter-storytelling; and the critique of colorblindness/meritocracy), and shares how intersectionality and systems-thinking inform practical DEIB work.

Eddie Fergus — Professor of Urban Education Policy at Temple University who teaches a doctoral seminar on CRT and connects historical/legal context to today’s school equity debates, noting why “when you’re accustomed to privilege, equity feels like oppression.”

Pete Newlove — High school English teacher and doctoral candidate at the University of Colorado Denver who describes on-the-ground effects of anti‑CRT politics in schools and how educators navigate backlash, book bans, and board-level power shifts.

Featuring a clip from Cecelia Lewis — A school leader whose experience became entangled in anti‑CRT rumors; she shares a powerful inclusion story about moving a student with significant behavioral support needs into general education.

Host Tim Villegas explores how the anti‑CRT movement is spilling over into K–12 and threatening broader educational equity efforts—including disability inclusion. With insights from King Williams, Alida Miranda-Wolff, Eddie Fergus, and Pete Newlove, the episode clarifies what CRT actually is, how it’s being mischaracterized, and what practical steps educators can take to keep inclusion moving forward.

Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/what-inclusionists-need-to-know-about-the-anti-crt-movement/