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Who is Keisha King? Black mom-of-2 says critical race theory divides kids by color

'Telling my child or any child that they are in a permanent oppressed status in America because they are black is racist,' said Keisha King on June 10

A Black parent branded critical race theory as racist during a school board meeting in Florida. She blasted the academic movement saying it was only needed if "you believe that whites are better than blacks."

“That is not teaching the truth,” Keisha King said Thursday, June 10, as quoted by Fox News. “Unless you believe that whites are better than blacks.”

The mother explained how it was outright racist to segregate people into "oppressors" and the "oppressed," Fox News reported.

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“Just coming off of May 31, marking the 100 years [since] the Tulsa riots, it is sad that we are even contemplating something like critical race theory, where children will be separated by their skin color and deemed permanently oppressors or oppressed in 2021,” King said during the meeting, per the outlet.

“Telling my child or any child that they are in a permanent oppressed status in America because they are black is racist – and saying that white people are automatically above me, my children, or any child is racist as well. This is not something that we can stand for in our country," she added.

King's comments came the same day CRT critics lauded Gov Ron DeSantis for successfully lobbying the board to block critical race theory from schools. “Excellently put Keisha King. Thank you,” one Twitter user wrote, alongside a clip of King’s speech.

“Beautifully put by Keisha King, and I have to continue to commend everyone speaking out against the racist, neomarxist, dangerously misguided and divisive ideology,” another commented.

"Keisha King is AWESOME!! How I wish everybody that is pushing for the teaching of CRT would listen to her! It’s only creating more division in our country," a third chimed in.

"Keisha King is a Patriot. She speaks the Truth. There is nothing to debate. She settled it. Done," another added.

Who is Keisha King?

King is reportedly a Duval County parent who addressed the school board meeting representing the group, Moms for Liberty, according to the Miami Herald. In her speech she introduced herself saying: "My name is Keisha King. I’m a mom of two, one who’s in the Duval County public school system, and one in private school, thanks to school choice. I’m also a member of Moms for Liberty, representing thousands of parents."

Toward the end of her speech, she gave her point of view on what could happen if critical race theory is accepted and taught in schools. "Our ancestors—white, black, and others—hung, bled, and died right alongside each other to push America toward that more perfect union. If this continues, we will look back and be responsible for the dismantling of the greatest country in the world by reverting to teaching hate and that race is a determining factor on where your destiny lies." 

DeSantis quotes Keisha King

According to critical race theory, racism is a "social construct that is systemically ingrained and which perpetuates racial inequities." However, critics feel it is narrative that "only furthers racial divisions," Fox News reported. DeSantis, while lobbying for a ban on a CRT based curriculum in schools, said it sent the message to students that “the country is rotten and that our institutions are illegitimate.” The Sunshine State’s Board of Education unanimously passed a new amendment on Thursday, June 10, to ban theories that “distort historical events” from schools, including CRT, the 1619 Project, as well as any lessons that downplay the Holocaust.

DeSantis also tweeted about King's speech, quoting her words, writing: "'It is sad that we are even contemplating something like Critical Race Theory, where children will be separated by their skin color and deemed permanently oppressors or oppressed in 2021.' — Keisha King, mother of two, and member of @Moms4Liberty" 

According to the New York Post, the ban has also met with considerable opposition. About two dozen pro-CRT residents were reportedly protesting the new amendment on June 10, chanting, "Allow teachers to tell the truth!” Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, also opposed the move, saying “students deserve the best education we can provide, and that means giving them a true picture of their world and our shared history as Americans.”