Critical Race Theory: Application to Literature

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an interdisciplinary framework developed in legal scholarship during the late 20th century that examines the pervasive role of race and racism.

Introduction

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an interdisciplinary framework developed in legal scholarship during the late 20th century that examines the pervasive role of race and racism in shaping social, political, and legal structures.

It asserts that racism is not just an individual act but a systemic, institutionalized phenomenon, aiming to uncover and challenge the ways racial hierarchies are embedded in law, policies, and societal norms.

CRT scholars analyze power dynamics, privilege, and the intersections of race with other social identities to promote a deeper understanding of racial injustices and advocate for equitable change.

Criticism Against Critical Race Theory

Critical Race Theory is a framework developed in the legal field to examine the intersection of race, power, and the law. It has since been applied to various fields, including education, sociology, literature and political science. However, CRT has also been met with criticism from various perspectives. Here are some of the criticisms against CRT:

  1. Essentialism: Some critics argue that Critical Race Theory relies on essentialist assumptions about race, which means that it sees race as a fixed, inherent characteristic that defines a person’s experiences and perspectives. This criticism argues that it fails to acknowledge that race is a social construct and that individual experiences vary.
  2. Divisiveness: Some critics argue that it promotes divisiveness by framing everything in terms of power struggles between different racial groups. Critics argue that this can lead to a more polarized society and further marginalization of certain groups.
  3. Lack of Evidence: Some critics argue that Critical Race Theory lacks empirical evidence to support its claims, and that it relies on anecdotal evidence and personal narratives instead. Critics argue that this makes CRT less objective and less rigorous as a scholarly discipline.
  4. Rejection of Objectivity: Some critics argue that it rejects the idea of objectivity and neutrality in favor of subjective interpretations of reality. Critics argue that this makes CRT less reliable as a scholarly discipline, and that it undermines the credibility of objective research.
  5. Ideological Bias: Some critics argue that it is ideologically biased and that it promotes a particular political agenda. Critics argue that this makes it less objective and less useful as a scholarly discipline.
  6. Overemphasis on Race: Some critics argue that it overemphasizes the role of race in shaping society and ignores other important factors such as class, gender, and culture. Critics argue that this can lead to a narrow and incomplete understanding of social issues.
Examples of Critical Race Theory
  1. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison: In this novel, Critical Race Theory critiques how characters’ experiences are shaped by their race and social status. For example, the main character, Pecola Breedlove, is a young B**ck girl who believes that having blue eyes would make her more beautiful and desirable. Critical Race Theory critiques how Pecola’s desire for blue eyes reflects internalized racism and how her lack of power in society contributes to her self-hatred.
  2. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison: In this novel, it criticizes how the protagonist’s experiences are shaped by his race and his encounters with institutional racism. For example, the protagonist is expelled from college for exposing the racist practices of the institution. It critiques how the institution’s response to the protagonist’s actions reflects the ways in which institutions use their power to silence dissenting voices.
  3. The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes: In this poem, Critical Race Theory analyzes how the speaker’s experiences are shaped by his identity as a B**ck person. For example, the poem begins with the line “I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins,” which it interprets as a reference to the long history of B**ck people and their contributions to human civilization. Critical Race Theory critiques how the poem celebrates B**ck culture and history in the face of systemic oppression.
  4. Everyday Use by Alice Walker: In this short story, Critical Race Theory assesses how the characters’ experiences are shaped by their race and their understanding of heritage. For example, the protagonist, Mama, has two daughters: Dee, who has embraced a more mainstream version of B**ck culture, and Maggie, who has retained a connection to their rural roots. It critiques how the story explores the tension between different interpretations of B**ck culture and heritage and how this tension reflects the larger issues of power and control in society.
  5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker: In this novel, it examines how the characters’ experiences are shaped by the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. For example, the main character, Celie, is a B**ck woman who faces abuse and oppression from both B**ck men and white society. CRT critiques how the novel portrays the ways in which racism, sexism, and heterosexism intersect to shape the experiences of B**ck women.
Keywords in Critical Race Theory

Here are some keywords and concepts commonly used in Critical Race Theory:

  1. Racialization: The process of categorizing individuals based on race, leading to disparities.
  2. Intersectionality: Intersection of social identities (e.g., race, gender) in shaping experiences of oppression.
  3. Structural Racism: Systemic practices that perpetuate racial inequalities.
  4. White Supremacy: Belief in white superiority, leading to discrimination.
  5. Microaggressions: Subtle, unintentional acts conveying discrimination.
  6. Colorblindness: Ignoring racial differences, perpetuating inequality.
  7. Critical Consciousness: Awareness of systemic racism, commitment to change.
  8. Counter-Narratives: Alternative stories challenging dominant racial narratives.
  9. Institutional Racism: Discriminatory policies within institutions, harming minorities.
  10. Racial Equity: Achieving fairness by addressing racial disparities.
Suggested Readings
  1. Crenshaw, Kimberlé, et al., editors. Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement. New Press, 1995.
  2. Delgado, Richard, and Jean Stefancic. Critical Race Theory: An Introduction. 3rd ed., New York University Press, 2017.
  3. Ladson-Billings, Gloria, and William F. Tate IV, editors. Education Research in the Public Interest: Social Justice, Action, and Policy. Teachers College Press, 2005.
  4. Lopez, Ian Haney. White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race. New York University Press, 1996.
  5. Matsuda, Mari. Words That Wound: Critical Race Theory, Assaultive Speech, and the First Amendment. Westview Press, 1993.
  6. Solorzano, Daniel, and Tara J. Yosso. Critical Race Methodology: Counter-Storytelling as an Analytical Framework for Education Research. Qualitative Inquiry, vol. 8, no. 1, 2002, pp. 23-44.
  7. Williams, Patricia. The Alchemy of Race and Rights. Harvard University Press, 1991.
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