What’s critical race theory?

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Critical race theory is a way of looking at race relations, particularly in the United States, in a broader context than the traditional civil rights approach. The theory began in the mid-1970s when a number of people in the legal profession began to worry how slowly laws were changing to promote racial equality. These legal professionals were also concerned that many of the civil rights movement’s early victories were already fading.

Learning to look critically at race relations is a key part of critical race theory. Examining everyday interactions and finding the racial component in them can help advance the cause of racial equality perhaps more than a sometimes simplistic “colorblind” approach. Looking closely at what sociologists call micro-aggressions can help see the true extent of racism in the United States, and through critical analysis hopefully people can begin to work through it.

To better understand the theory, an individual can consider a scenario where two people pass each other while walking down the street and the first person smiles at the second. Let’s imagine that the second person smiles in response to their passing, or stares at the sidewalk and steps forward. In the event that the second participant passes uneasily, an observer’s first instinct may be to imagine that they are simply being rude or that they are having a bad day. But what if the first participant is a person of color and the second is white? An observer will likely be wary of some form of racist microaggression. What if both participants are people of color? What if the first participant is white and the second is black? In each of these situations, the observer’s understanding of society’s race relations may be more nuanced than in a traditional approach.

While critical race theory began within the legal profession — and law professor Derrick Bell, easily the most prominent thinker within the movement — it has since spread to many other disciplines. Educators may find this theory very important to their understanding of classroom dynamics, academic testing, and curricular biases. People involved in the political sphere may find it useful for understanding voting discrepancies, race-based campaigning, and other issues.

One of the more interesting recent developments in critical race theory is a questioning of the normative acceptance of ‘whiteness’. This theory looks at things like how some groups, for example the Irish, started out as an “altered” category, before “becoming” white. It examines how racial pride in being white can manifest itself in acceptable ways and how it can manifest as white superiority. Additionally, it may consider what whites can legitimately do to aid critical scrutiny of race, without abusing their position of power.

Critical race theory is an ever-evolving field. One of the best known experts in this field is Richard Delgado, author of several books including Critical Race Theory: An Introduction with Jean Stefancic. Other dedicated thinkers and activists have dedicated themselves to the cause of a better understanding of race and its role in our society. While the problems faced are truly monumental, fields like this offer the hope of bringing about a more equal world.

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