The reality is that Cawthorn spoke to the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn a fair and free election. He continues to promote Trump’s “Big Lie” that the results of the 2020 election were fraudulent. Along with other Republican extremists, Cawthorn is actively seeking to destroy the very foundation of our country via the right to vote and majority rule.

The other reality is that Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a course taught in law schools on the issue of how race influenced the passing and implementation of laws. It has nothing to do with what is taught in grades 1-12 in public schools. Whether students are taught the realities involving slavery or the varnished feel-good version many of us were taught has nothing to do with CRT.

CRT has simply become the latest “dog whistle” to distract us from the attempts of Republicans to subvert democracy. CRT is not a rejection of the Martin Luther King Jr. dream that people are judged by their character rather than the color of their skin. Instead it is considering how race has influenced the law.

Finally, Cawthorn and Republicans started “backing the blue” in words only in response to the protests following the killing of unarmed African-Americans. They certainly weren’t “backing the blue” when the Trumplican seditionists stormed the Capitol injuring over 150 law enforcement officers who were protecting the Congress. It was more like “bloody the blue,” which is why Republican leaders don’t want an investigation.

Democrats believe in every eligible voter’s right to vote in honest elections where legislatures do not have the ability to overturn the will of the people. Democrats also believe in fair and equal treatment for all under the law. Cawthorn’s actions and actions of a number of Republicans are not consistent with those principles.

Myrna Campbell

Waynesville