Wednesday, July 14, 2021

What Is Critical Race Theory? - Michael Harriot

Critical Race Theory says that white supremacy and systemic racism exist, are engrained in everyday life, and benefit white people; so pretending that they don’t exist, failing to eradicate them, or acting as if they aren’t the norm not only allows white supremacy to flourish, it further normalizes it.

First of all, you should know that critical theory, as a tool for examining social structures, has been around for more than a century.  Broadly put, no social structure is perfect, and all social structures must be examined.

Critical Race Theory was first used to examine and study the law systemically through the lens of race. But "critical theory" doesn't just examine social structures. It also works to reform and improve them.

And one of the things that Critical Race Theory says is that the idea of race-neutral "colorblindness" actually invigorates white supremacy.

Since white supremacy and systemic racism exist, are engrained in everyday life, and benefit white people; then pretending they don’t exist, failing to eradicate them, or acting as if they aren’t the norm not only allows white supremacy to flourish, it further normalizes it.

If systemic racism did not benefit white people, would many of the most powerful white men in the country fight so hard to preserve it?
 
If racism and white supremacy weren't "ordinary" then why do so many white people disagree with Critical Race Theory while most Black people think it's important?

The full article is available here