critical race theory

critical race theory (uncountable)

1. A social sciences discipline involving the application of critical theory to issues surrounding the interaction between racial dynamics and social and legal power.
   • 1995, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings that Formed the Movement, The New Press, page xi:

     In short, Critical Race Theory is an intellectual movement that is both particular to our postmodern (and conservative) times and part of a tradition of human resistance and liberation.

   • 2002, Kimberlé Crenshaw, "The First Decade: Critical Reflections, or 'A Foot in the Closing Door'", in: Francisco Valdes, Jerome Mccristal Culp and Angela Harris (ed.), Crossroads, Directions and A New Critical Race Theory, Temple University Press, page 19:

     We would signal the specific political and intellectual location of the project through the "critical", the substantive focus through "race", and the desire to develop a coherent account of race and law through the term "theory"... If we were going to give this inchoate thing a name, let it be a proper sign on the intellectual landscape: Critical Race Theory.

   • 2012, Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, Critical Race Theory: An Introduction, New York University Press, page 3:

     The Critical Race Theory (CRT) movement is a collection of activists and scholars interested in studying and transforming the relationship among race, racism and power.

   • 2016, Gloria Ladson-Billings, "The Evolving Role of Critical Race Theory in Educational Scholarship", in: Adrienne D. Dixson, Celia K. Rousseau Anderson, Jamel K. Donnor (ed.), Critical Race Theory in Education: All God's Children Got a Song, Routledge, page

     It seems hard to believe that a decade has gone by since the term "critical race theory" was introduced into educational scholarship, and at the same time it is a very appropriate interval at which to take stock of where we are.