When "critical race theory" was rumored to have been introduced as a subject in the public schools of Rockwood, Missouri—which it wasn't, teachers and administrators openly admitted to not knowing what critical race theory is—administrators began receiving threatening and angry emails from parents because discussions of White privilege or racism might occur in the school.
This lead to an in-person town-hall style meeting that became heated.
One moment captured in the heat of it all featured a mother crying and proclaiming she's not "a racist dammit" just because she doesn't want the history and affects of racism mentioned at school because it might make White people feel bad.
You can watch the moment here:
The woman in question went on a tirade about how her child now supposedly feels "guilty" for being White.
"She is one of the most innocent little girls in the whole world, and she has friends, Black and White kids in her classroom, and she doesn't see any difference...I have actually raised my kids to love people and accept people no matter what, and just because I don't want critical race theory taught to my children at school doesn't make me a racist, damnit!"
Discussions of race happening in the school were not in the context of critical race theory.
The subjects were history and English classes, where the material covered topics such as slavery and Jim Crow.
The discussion continued to be heated, with one mother of color calling the room "an echo chamber of White people," as she was booed by the crowd for daring to say students of color did not "feel seen" by the school district.
The community forum, held solely by the community, did not feature any school administrators. Rather, some Missouri State Senators—both Republicans—attended via Zoom and answered some questions.
Critical race theory is an examination of "the link between the law and racist power structures" and "looksw to find ways to move towards racial liberation with the law."
It originated in academia in the 1970s.
So while these folks may not understand what true critical race theory is, their opposition should not be underestimated.
