Dr. Ingrid Banks joined LWVP on Friday, December 3, 2021 to discuss the origins and scholarship of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Participants were given homework prior to the event to learn about the origins and foundations of the theory from some of its founders. Those readings are linked below.
While CRT has been receiving a lot of news coverage of late, the concept has been around for decades. Dr. Banks taught us that racism occurs not just when a person is biased against someone who has a certain skin color, but when a person's ideas are supported by institutions and structures of power in a way that denies opportunities to a particular race. Critical Race Theory arises from an understanding of how race shapes legal studies and the law, it examines racism as structural and systemic, and it works to eradicate all forms of inequality, not just racism.
To watch the recording of the full event, please visit our YouTube channel.