Critical race theory has become a social and political lightning rod. This is how we got here

From chaotic school board meetings to political strife along party lines, critical race theory has ignited a controversy across the country in recent months.

At least two dozen states have banned critical race theory or introduced legislation to ban it from being taught in the classroom, with many conservatives calling it a divisive concept. Educators, however, argue that critical race theory itself is generally not included in grade school curriculum. And proponents along with critical race theorists insist that the concept is largely misunderstood.