Lecture Notes: Understanding Critical Race Theory

Introduction

• Discussion on misconceptions about Critical Race Theory (CRT).
• Public perception vs. reality of CRT in education.

What is Critical Race Theory?

• CRT emerged in late 1970s and early 1980s.
• Developed by legal scholars and lawyers.
• Aimed to address racial disparities despite race-neutral laws.
• Focus on examining laws, policies, and structures as sources of disparity.

Misconceptions About CRT

• Misbelief that CRT teaches white children they are evil.
• False notion that CRT argues all white people are inherently evil.
• CRT does not claim everyone or everything is racist.
• Misconception that CRT is widely taught in schools—it's not, even in law schools.
• CRT and anti-racism are not inherently anti-white or racist.

Arguments Against CRT in Schools

• Argument that CRT teaches kids to hate their country and each other.
• Belief that CRT is not suitable for school curriculums.
• Concerns over taxpayer money funding CRT in schools.

Understanding Racial Inequality

• Historical debate over the reasons for racial inequality.
  • Racist position: Inequality due to perceived racial superiority/inferiority.
  • Anti-racist position: Inequality stems from policy and racist policies.
• Importance of identifying and replacing bad policies for equity and justice.

Challenges in Discussing Race and Racism

• Difference in definitions of racism among people.
• Importance of defining terms to understand race and racism.
• "How to be an Anti-Racist" emphasizes grounding in definitions based on evidence, scholarship, history, and material reality.