The Biden administration has appointed a pro-critical race theory activist to join the U.S. Department of Education Tuesday, marking the latest development as parents, educators, and lawmakers debate what role the controversial theory should play in classrooms.
Precious McKesson was selected as a special assistant in the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Department of Education’s Office of Communication and Outreach, a position not subject to Senate confirmation. McKesson, a vocal advocate of CRT that teaches U.S. institutions are inherently racist, has criticized the Right for opposing the theory.
“Republicans … have made CRT a political boogeyman without actually knowing what it is,” McKesson co-wrote alongside other NDP chairmen in an August op-ed . “Simply put, CRT examines social, cultural and legal issues as they relate to race and racism. Students would be taught about the systemic racism that still exists today and permeates our society.”
Jane Kleeb, chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, supported the hiring of McKesson and said she would live up to the responsibility of being a presidential appointee.
“Precious is a transformational leader,” Kleeb told the Omaha World-Herald . “She will bring the same energy, excitement, and commitment to the people to the position at the Department of Education.”
McKesson, who previously worked as a staffer for the Biden campaign in Nebraska , cast the state’s 2nd Congressional District’s electoral vote in the 2020 election. She is the first woman of color to cast an electoral ballot in Nebraska and the first woman to cast an electoral ballot for a Democrat.
McKesson still serves as the chairwoman of the Black Caucus for the NDP but will soon pass that role on to someone else, according to Kleeb. McKesson previously worked as the finance director and constituency director for the NDP.
CRT continues to divide the United States as some GOP-led states, including Texas, ban the theory from being taught at public institutions. Others, such as Illinois and New Jersey, have moved toward passing measures affirming or requiring instruction in CRT or related concepts.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Department of Education for comment.
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