By Royel M. Johnson
Faculty Affiliate, Pullias Center for Higher Education and USC's Race & Equity Center
When Shaun Harper (USC Race & Equity Center's Founder and Chief Research Scientist) and I began conceptualizing our newest book, "The Big Lie About Race in America’s Schools," published by Harvard Education Press, we could not have anticipated the extent to which its themes would resonate with the current moment. At the time, we were responding to a targeted and strategic assault by far-right conservatives on “divisive concepts” like Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the 1619 Project, which had become lightning rods for manufactured outrage in the national media.
Unfortunately, these attacks were not isolated incidents — they marked the beginning of a broader campaign to reshape American education. What followed was a relentless campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), LGBTQ+ representation, and any teaching that dared to interrogate the country’s sordid racial history. Branded as “liberal indoctrination” and “anti-American propaganda,” these efforts sought to censor and dilute the hard-won progress made in making our schools culturally inclusive. Our book takes a close look at this dangerous movement — what we call the “Big Lie”—and its implications for the future of education in America.
Some of you might recall the “Big Lie” language being used in media headlines over the last couple of years. Its origin traces to discourse from Trump regarding his initial failed reelection attempt, where he orchestrated a massive conspiracy about a “stolen election,” which mobilized his base— white supremacists — to storm the U.S. Capitol to “take back” their America. Media pundits refer to this strategy as “The Big Lie.” What we argue in the book is that this same tactic has been effectively used among politicians and think tanks to attack education — only this lie has been about what is taking place in schools, colleges, and universities across the country and its supposed harmful effects on little white boys and girls. It continues to be effective today.
Indeed, the 2024 presidential election only underscores the urgency of this conversation. With President Trump’s return to the Oval Office, the concerns we raised in our book have crystallized into a sobering reality. And if Project 2025, which I wrote about in Newsweek several months ago, is any indication of what is in store, we should brace ourselves.
Misinformation and disinformation obviously continue to be a hallmark of the conservative movement, as we address in the book, exposing the ways in which it undermines the integrity of our nation’s school system. Indeed, we, including our amazing contributors, meticulously document how these attacks on CRT and DEI are part of a calculated strategy to sow fear and division, and to consolidate political power.
But this book is more than a critique; it is a clarion call to action to all those who carry about the future. We highlight the courageous work being done by educators, students, and parents who refuse to let these attacks go unchallenged. Teachers across the country are finding innovative ways to bring honest conversations about race, identity, and history into their classrooms — despite the risks to their careers. Parents are exercising their agency, pushing back against censorship efforts that would aim to sanitize the history of America in their education experience. So, too, are students. I implore each of you reading this to do so as well—starting first within your sphere of influence — whether that’s a classroom, a school board meeting, or university department—we need you. Your voice matters, perhaps now more than ever. If you haven’t already, pick up your copy of The Big Lie About Race in America’s Schools.
