Critical Race Theory

Question 1

when did CRT start

Answer 1

CRT sprang up 1970s when some lawyers, scholars and activist
across the USA expressed concerns regarding the stalling of the civil
rights gains in the 1960s

This group met for the first time during a workshop in Wisconsin in
1989

Question 2

what is CRT

Answer 2

It is a set of ideas holding that racial bias is inherent in many parts of
western society, especially in its legal and social institutions—its
structures—on the basis of their having been primarily designed for
and implemented by white people.

Question 3

what are the two methodologies

Answer 3

• Part 1: presenting a situation of how white folk “see” a situation
  (story telling)
• Part 2: show BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of colour) folks can see
  the same situation very differently (counter story telling)

Question 4

what is double consciousness according to WEB du Bois

Answer 4

Double consciousness: the sense of being one person with two
identities (the conflict between how one feels inside, versus how the
world sees them)

Question 5

what are the 5 main tenets of CRT

Answer 5

1). Racism is ordinary ’everyday’ occurrence for people of colour

2). Interest Convergence/Material Determinism (or Structural Determinism) exists. This is where white over
BIPOC ascendancy provides important material and psychological benefits for the dominant group (thus
explaining why white elites and working class white people have no incentive to eradicate it)

3). Social Constructionism: races are products of social thought and relations (categories that society invents,
manipulates, or retires when it is convenient to do so)

4) Differential Radicalization: dominant society radicalizes different minority groups at different times in
response to their shifting needs

5). Unique Voice of Colour is important, whereby BIPOC scholars’/activists’ personal experiences likely enable
them to “see” race and racism that their white counterparts cannot.

Question 6

what are the two main groups of CRT scholars

Answer 6

idealists and realists

Question 7

what are idealists

Answer 7

“idealists” believe racism is a social construct

Question 8

what are realists

Answer 8

“Realists” think words and attitudes are important, but that racism is more
than a collection of unfavourable impressions of minorities.

Question 9

4 main themes

Answer 9

1). Interest Convergence
2). Revisionist Interpretations of History
3). The Critique of Liberalism
4). Structural Determinism