In the first two issues of Equality, the content and ensuing discussions have been personal observations about our own experiences with racism, affirmative action and generally what our experiences have been growing up and as adults.
In the session on December 7, we will explore the origins of Critical Race Theory and how it intersects with White Affirmative Action.
Critical race theory is an approach to studying US policies and institutions that is most often taught in law schools in Constitution law class. It is a theory about how race and racism have shaped the law and, more importantly, its application. “We know that today racism is sustained more through law, policy and practices than through individual bias and discrimination,” said Boston University Law professor Jasmine Gonzales Rose, who teaches CRT. Critical race theory is about the structures that have contributed to continuing racism in our country. It is not about individual racism.
In the last session we were asked to listen to the Podcast on White Affirmative Action. In this podcast we learned how history has favored white people in land ownership, in housing and home ownership (related to the FHA loans), and in education (particularly as it relates to the GI Bill) which, in turn, created cumulative wealth in the white community that gave generations of white people a head start.
How does white affirmative action relate to critical race theory? Has critical race theory been misinterpreted by mainstream media, school boards and politicians?
The following is an excellent bibliography on the subject.