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There are 3 basic theoretical frames re: race in the U.S. Broadly speaking we can call them liberal race theory, critical race theory, and conservative race theory. It's worth understanding how their premises differ especially w/all the distortions re CRT...
So, liberal theory assumes the structures and foundations of society are basically fair and just, but we're falling short in securing the blessings of liberty for all bc of inadequate recognition of the problem, resource inadequacy, inadequate training/education, etc...(2)
According to liberal theory, with more money, more training, more awareness, the system can be made to work for all. This is pretty much the Barack Obama school of thought (3)...
Critical race theory says the foundations of society were created to produce inequity on purpose. Thus the “failure” to secure the blessings of liberty for all is not really a failure. It is the logical outcome of a structure never established for equity...(4)
To produce equity will require a fundamental restructuring of the system(s) within which we operate, from schools to the justice system to health care to the job market, etc. (5)...
Conservative race theory says there’s nothing wrong w/the system per se. Racial barriers to success have been eradicated. Any ongoing inequity is due to shortcomings of Black people, either biologically (Bell Curve), culturally, or bc of the "harms" of liberal social policy. (6)
I agree w/the framing in CRT, even though I recognize it can be articulated in a way that can amount to cynicism. I would like to believe more in the liberal theory and think it has some truth also but tends towards naivete...(7)
Conservative race theory, on the other hand, is a mix of racism and absurd social science distortion on the other. But unlike right-wingers who want to ban CRT, I'm more than willing to confront those conservative arguments and do so regularly in my work...(8)...
It's sad the right is such an assortment of snowflakes that they can't just criticize CRT with analysis but rather seek to ban it from even being articulated in schools, etc. Yet, they insist we're the ones doing "cancel culture."
