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CRT At VMI?

CRT Elements

Objectives

Consultants

Exercises

Courses

Final Thoughts

Carmen D. Villani, Jr.

VMI Class of 1976

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CRT Elements

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One In The Same

Articles On CRT

VMI & One Virginia Plan

A fourth characteristic of CRT is that it pushes equity . . . Nothing under heaven has the power to guarantee equal outcomes. Policies that insist on this impossible goal will inevitably result in discriminatory practices.

“There are a series of euphemisms deployed by its supporters to describe critical race theory, including ‘equity,’ ‘social justice,’ ‘diversity and inclusion,…’”

“Schools apply this theory (CRT) under the guise of diversity, equity and inclusion programming”

“Engage students, … learning varied perspectives of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice”

“Diversity is about a moral imperative, and a desire to see social justice achieved in the areas of age, class,. . ., race, religion, and sexual orientation”

"Inequity is rooted in America’s foundation. Accordingly, Virginia‘s history is replete with unrelenting, pervasive structural racism …”

VMI’s Chief Diversity Officer

One Virginia Plan

VMI Inclusive Excellence Plan

Wall Street Journal

Christopher F. Rufo

VA Chief DOI Officer Angela Sailor

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“Equity” Defined Differently

Equity refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to address historical and existing discrimination (emphasis added). Inequities happen when unfair or biased practices, policies, or situations contribute to a lack of equality. Equity must permeate all practices, policies, and procedures for every constituent.

Superintendent’s “Just the Facts” Message

Chief Diversity Office Webpage

At VMI, equity means that we ensure each qualified cadet has the tools necessary in order to potentially (and hopefully) succeed in our rigorous academic, military, and athletic environment. Equity means equal opportunity.

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Dr. Forrest Marion, VMI ‘80

Keep in mind that a thing need not be explicitly taught, but may, nonetheless, undergird an entire academic or philosophical structure. That is precisely the case with VMI today.

Marion: Who’s doing the 'real damage' to VMI? | Columnists | roanoke.com

This isn’t education, but “Inherently Divisive” indoctrination. It promotes the exact opposite of One Corps-One VMI – and one Virginia.

Kissing Cousins: China’s Maoists, Virginia’s Racists | The Roanoke Star News

While VMI’s leadership has embraced DEI in various statements and documents since 2020, the cozy relationship between CRT and DEI has been denied or overlooked. Dr. Swain states succinctly: “The greatest threat to American society today . . . is coming from the [DEI] industry. It is steeped in Critical Race Theory, which is Marxist. It divides people.”

Governor Youngkin’s VMI “Visitors” Appointments are Key | The Roanoke Star News

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Objectives

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Description of Services In RFP

The organization must be able to provide DEI training that includes guidelines, cultural sharing, areas of modification, bias intervention options, and DEI language that best fits the VMI community

The organization must be able to provide opportunities for individuals to embrace DEI concepts, explore allyship, and a framework for lifelong leaning

The organization must be able to discuss cultural and identity oppression in the context of current culture as it relates to VMI.

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Consultants

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In Their Own Words

Visions Inc. – Services (visions-inc.org)

Diversity, equity, inclusion; oppression; unconscious bias

Paradigm Reach – Paradigm Reach

Diversity, equity, inclusion; unconscious bias; microaggressions; anti-racism; belonging and psychological safety

NewPoint Strategies – NewPoint Home

Diversity, equity, inclusion; implicit and unconscious bias; social and racial justice

Dr. Janice Underwood - “Because racism is institutionalized, we realize we must institutionalize mechanisms to confront it. We are confronting racist policies and culture with anti-racist mechanisms.” “I am determined to turn the Black Lives Matter movement into actionable items.”

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Home (visions-inc.org)

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Paradigm Reach

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NewPoint Home

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Exercises�(Proposed)

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Crossing the Line – You took a family vacation this summer; you are the first one in your family to go to college; you consider your family upper class
Diversity Beans – discussion about stereotypes and diversity
First Thoughts – Look at a word and write down 2-3 adjectives – Men, Police Officers, Irishmen, New Yorkers
Four Corners Exercise – Racially underrepresented people can be racist; role models are more effective if they are of the same race, gender, and sexual orientation
Journeys Privilege Exercise – If your ancestors were forced against their will to come to the USA, step back
Target/Non-Target – People must SELF-IDENTIFY (emphasis added); How did it feel to stand in the Target Area
The Complexity of Sexual Orientation – If Cadets argue that sexual orientation is defined exclusively by behavior, ask whether virgins have a sexual orientation
Historically-Included Identities Activity – Check those that apply: White/Caucasian; Heterosexuals; Cisgender-Congruent with Gender Binary System

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Courses

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Final Thoughts

Missouri AG initiates investigation of seven school districts for “employing ‘student surveys,’ including some that ask students personal and otherwise unnecessary questions, . . . , as well as racially motivated or leading questions.”

Missouri Attorney General Subpoenas Seven School Districts Over Student Surveys, Launches Transparency Portal (mo.gov)

“Judicial Watch: Records Show Critical Race Theory Propaganda at West Point”

Judicial Watch: Records Show Critical Race Theory Propaganda at West Point | Judicial Watch

“Air Force Academy requires training linked to critical race theory and Black Lives Matter”

Air Force Academy requires training linked to critical race theory and Black Lives Matter | Washington Examiner

“The tenets of CRT include (a) permanence of racism, (b) storytelling, (c) interest convergence, (d) social construction, (e) intersectionality, (f) whiteness as property, (g) critique of liberalism, and (h) commitment to social justice.”

Doctoral thesis by VMI’s Chief Diversity Officer titled: “THE EXPERIENCES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE PRESIDENTS AND RACECONSCIOUS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADMISSIONS POLICIES” pg. 25

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Sources

SLIDE 3

SLIDE 4

SLIDE 8

VMI_Inclusive_Excellence_Final_optout-UAP.pdf; pg. 11

SLIDES 9 & 10

BOV DEI Committee Document 01.28.2022; pgs. 66;71

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Sources

SLIDE 12

Q&A with Dr. Janice Underwood, Virginia’s first cabinet-level Chief Diversity Officer — Health Leads (healthleadsusa.org)

SLIDES 18 – 19

VMI Quarterly Report 1 Commonwealth’s Equity Audit July 1, 2021 – December 15, 2021; pgs. 66 & 68