>> reporter: data provided to cnn shows how mentions of critical race theory exploded in right wing media throughout 2021. >> what republicans are calling critical race theory. >> critical race theory is critical racism theory. >> reporter: on fox news, talk of critical race theory spiked around this november's election in virginia. >> critical race theory is not being taught in k-12 in this county or in the state of virginia. k-12 does not teach theory of anything. but they know that's the dog whistle that you need in order to get the votes. >> reporter: penny blue was on franklin county's school board for eight years in a seat that she says was specifically created for a member of the black community to address past discrimination. you were in a seat that was created to have -- >> an african-american representation.