Critical Race Theory

Critical Race Theory Explained In Layman's Terms

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an argument that states racism is built into America's laws & policies and plays a critical role in keeping minorities less powerful.  It is a way of understanding how race and racism affect laws, policies, and how people are treated. It started in the US in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a response to the fact that the legal system ignored the impact of race and racism. CRT looks at how racism is deeply rooted in American society and keeps certain racial groups (for example African Americans, Hispanics & Asian Americans) less powerful.

A More In-Depth Look at Critical Race Theory

CRT seeks to understand how racism is deeply ingrained in the fabric of society, the law, and institutions and how it operates to maintain the subordination of people of color. CRT scholars reject the idea that racism is an individual problem or isolated incident and instead focus on the systematic and institutional ways racism is perpetuated. They also emphasize the importance of considering the intersection of race with other forms of oppression, such as gender, class, and sexuality.

One key concept in CRT is the idea of "white supremacy," which refers to how white people and white culture in America are privileged and dominant in society. CRT argues that this dominance is not just about individual prejudice or discrimination but about the systemic and institutional ways in which white people and white culture are favored, and others are marginalized.

Another vital aspect of CRT is the idea of "interest convergence," which holds that changes in the law and policies that benefit people of color will only happen when they align with the interests of white people and institutions. This means that progress toward racial justice is often slow and limited and that reforms that benefit people of color are often only granted when they serve the interests of those in power.

CRT also critiques the idea of "color-blindness," or the notion that race does not matter and that everyone should be treated the same, regardless of their skin color. CRT scholars argue that this view fails to acknowledge how race and racism shape experiences and opportunities and that a color-blind approach to solving racial problems is ineffective.

Critical Race Theory challenges dominant narratives about race and racism and calls for a deeper examination of how these issues are woven into the fabric of society and institutions.