To the Journal editor:

Critical Race Theory explores America’s past immoral events and how these events shape our country today. It’s struck an emotional nerve.

Some view CRT as insight to improve society while others view it as opening old wounds staining our America’s greatness or an attack on them personally.

Let’s agree on the following statements: Today, all Americans view slavery as an immoral act. Accept that no human is perfect.

I watched a televised Texas school meeting debating whether CRT should be taught in school and a women with tears in her eyes said “Just because I oppose teaching of CRT, it doesn’t make me a racist.” I think what she and others fail to grasp is CRT explores how racism evolved during and after slavery ended and is not a personal attack on any particular citizen.

I feel guilt for our country’s history of slavery, the racist acts committed by our American ancestors, and some citizens who harbor racism today. Guilt is a powerful human trait which can instill empathy for others.

Many of us go to confession to express sorrow for our sins and come out with renewed hope and firm resolution not to sin again. Self-reflection and empathy are human traits which inspire us to become better individuals and thus a better society.

We stop growing as a nation if we collectively turn away from America’s complete history of slavery and racism undercurrents still resonating today.

What sets America apart from other nations is our ability to reflect on America’s complete history, not only revel on our outstanding moral achievements but contemplate on our failures. This is when America’s greatness truly shines. CRT unlocks the closet and makes more poignant the mission bestowed on this great nation: “that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

I believe CRT provides a renewed hope for the future by fully understanding our country’s past and present.

It will harden our resolve in preventing anyone from being excluded from our Nation’s mission due to their race, gender, class or religion.

My hope is to see tears of empathy at the next CRT school meeting.