Where Does CRT Come From?
The history of the devisive language being used by some to demonize public education...
Critical race theory (CRT) is directly connected to critical theory, a broader intellectual framework that seeks to understand and critique the ways in which power operates in society. Critical theory is interdisciplinary, drawing from fields such as philosophy, sociology, and political science, and seeks to understand how societal structures and systems perpetuate inequality and oppression.
Critical theory is an intellectual framework that has its roots in the Frankfurt School of social and political thought, which emerged in Germany in the early 20th century. The Frankfurt School was a group of intellectuals, including philosophers, sociologists, and political scientists, who were concerned with the social and political changes brought about by industrialization and mass culture. They sought to understand the ways in which power operates in society, and to develop a framework for social critique that could bring about positive change.
Critical theory was developed as a response to the failure of traditional forms of social and political theory to address the social and political problems of the time. Traditional theories saw society as a harmonious and rational entity, and saw progress as inevitable. The critical theorists, in contrast, saw society as inherently conflictual and irrational, and saw the need for ongoing critique and change as essential to achieving a just and equitable society.
Over time, critical theory has expanded to encompass a wide range of interdisciplinary fields and applications, including critical race theory, critical feminist theory, and critical media studies, among others. Despite its diverse applications, critical theory remains centered on its core goal of promoting social justice and equality by challenging dominant narratives and ideologies, and by exposing the ways in which power operates in society.
Today, critical theory continues to be an important framework for understanding and critiquing social, political, and cultural phenomena, and for promoting positive change. Its ideas and insights have influenced a wide range of fields, and continue to inspire new forms of social and political critique and activism.
CRT fits within the larger critical theory framework in that it seeks to understand and critique the ways in which race and racism are intertwined with the laws, policies, and other societal structures that maintain and reinforce power imbalances in society. CRT specifically examines the intersection of race and racism with the legal system and other institutional structures, with the goal of uncovering the ways in which these systems perpetuate racial inequality and oppression.
Both critical race theory and critical theory share a common goal of promoting social justice and equality. They both aim to bring about change by challenging dominant narratives and ideologies, and by exposing the ways in which power operates in society. In this sense, critical race theory can be seen as a specific application of the larger critical theory framework, focusing on the ways in which race and racism intersect with societal structures and systems.