Civil War historian drops the hammer on Alabama governor after she says critical race theory teaches 'hate'

This week, Gov. Kay Ivey (R-AL) proudly announced that the state of Alabama has "permanently BANNED Critical Race theory," adding, "We're focused on teaching our children how to read and write, not HATE."

Ivey's remark drew quick comment from Civil War historian Kevin M. Levin — who pointed out that the state of Alabama still has a number of explicit symbols of hate in public spaces, including a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis right outside of the state capitol building.

Confederate monuments were mostly installed during the enactment of Jim Crow laws in the early 20th century, and as a backlash to the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s, by officials seeking to re-assert the principles of white supremacy.

"Critical race theory" is a framework that views the role of white supremacy in America's history and institutions. Republicans have scrambled to denounce and ban its teaching in public schools — despite the fact that it is very rarely taught in public schools to begin with.