New documentary says critical race theory is in Utah Schools

Originally Published on KJZZ14

A new documentary, financed in part by a Utah state lawmaker, says critical race theory has seeped into curriculum and teacher training for Utah public schools.

“There’s the oppressed, and then there are the oppressors — that’s what it comes down to with critical race theory,” said Brandon Beckham, a member of the Utah GOP governing body, state Senate candidate, and the director of "Marxism Identity — The Rise of Critical Race Theory."

In an exclusive interview with 2News prior to a private showing at the Gateway Megaplex on Friday evening, Beckham said the film cites specific examples of CRT in Utah.

“CRT is taught in schools,” Beckham said, which he described as “looking at America as it’s all systemically racist.”

The State Board of Education and Governor Cox have said CRT is not part of coursework for Utah kids.

“First of all, it doesn’t have a place in Utah curriculum,“ said the governor at a news conference last May. “It’s not being taught anywhere.“

State Senator John Johnson, R-North Ogden, the executive producer of the documentary, said statements like that are incorrect…