Critical Race Theory: Theorist vs Activist Dimension
The 2001 textbook — Critical Race Theory: An Introduction — stated, “Unlike some other academic disciplines, Critical Race Theory contains an activist dimension.”
The New York Times recently described Critical Race Theory as a “framework” that found its way inside American institutions. The Cambridge Dictionary defines “framework” as a system of rules, ideas, or beliefs that is used to plan or decide something. I’m pointing this out to suggest CRT does not lend itself to a single or simplistic definition.
Recently, former CNN political commentator Marc Lamont Hill conducted several interviews with opponents of CRT on The Black News, a show Hill hosts.
Hill began each interview by asking CRT opponents to define CRT, each opponent defined the theory as best they could, then Hill dismissed their definitions as simplistic or misrepresentations. Hill’s rebuttal gave the impression the opponents of CRT were ill-informed.
Hill’s tactic worked well.
Following Hill’s interviews there were headlines boasting: Opponents of CRT struggle to define the term. However, in two brief exchanges with CRT opponents, Hill inadvertently made comments that highlighted…