2021 Smart Talk encore — What is critical race theory?

• Scott LaMar
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  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Gabriela Martinez / WITF

A July rally at the state capitol drew about 50 people who oppose critical race theory.

All this week, WITF presents encore presentations of Smart Talk programs that focused on the important issues of 2021. We continue Wednesday with Smart Talk that addressed critical race theory.

Critical race theory is a hot-button issue in the news today. There are plenty of advocates arguing for teaching the theory in schools, and others challenging the construct outright.

Critical race theory, or CRT, is a way of understanding how racism shapes and influences government institutions. The debate around CRT is currently focused on how or if it should be included or inform curriculum in schools. It is a complicated topic that is certainly more nuanced than people on either side of the argument may appreciate.

Scott Hancock, Ph.D., is a Professor of History and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College, who has studied CRT for more than 20 years and he appears on Smart Talk Wednesday to share his knowledge on the issue.