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jamesrawillis's review against another edition
3.0
This book offers a great primer into what Critical Race Theory (CRT) is and is not. It is written in a way that, as the title suggests, introduces readers to the core aspects of this method of analysis. Delgado and Stefancic also offer a brief historical review of how CRT came to be, as well as addresses, although briefly, some of the criticisms levied against CRT.
I think one of the best elements of this book is that each chapter ends with a series of classroom exercises and suggested reading. The questions and exercises at the end of each chapter I think offer the reader - even if not reading in the context of a class - an opportunity to apply the framework and further assess not just the merits of the theory, but their own worldview.
There is a great deal of discourse being spread on critical race theory today, much of which seems to be multiple standard deviations away from the truth. As of writing this, legislators in 44 states had submitted bills restricting or banning any teaching of CRT, with 11 states successfully doing so, despite 90% of teachers stating that they do not teach this in their schools, and more than 30% of American's reporting that they have no idea what this even means.
I suggest that anyone interested in learning what critical race theory is to start with this book, and then proceed by following suggested reading recs listed throughout the book. If you, like many others, have already been primed to view CRT as a "toxic and dangerous" theory permeating throughout all of America, I strongly encourage you to "empty your cup," and then read this book with a clear mind. Seek to understand this model before simply relegating it to trash.
I think one of the best elements of this book is that each chapter ends with a series of classroom exercises and suggested reading. The questions and exercises at the end of each chapter I think offer the reader - even if not reading in the context of a class - an opportunity to apply the framework and further assess not just the merits of the theory, but their own worldview.
There is a great deal of discourse being spread on critical race theory today, much of which seems to be multiple standard deviations away from the truth. As of writing this, legislators in 44 states had submitted bills restricting or banning any teaching of CRT, with 11 states successfully doing so, despite 90% of teachers stating that they do not teach this in their schools, and more than 30% of American's reporting that they have no idea what this even means.
I suggest that anyone interested in learning what critical race theory is to start with this book, and then proceed by following suggested reading recs listed throughout the book. If you, like many others, have already been primed to view CRT as a "toxic and dangerous" theory permeating throughout all of America, I strongly encourage you to "empty your cup," and then read this book with a clear mind. Seek to understand this model before simply relegating it to trash.
egwescombe's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Solid introduction to CRT. Covered a lot of basics that I either knew or felt were common knowledge. Still some new and interesting points covered. First audiobook so definitely absorbed less than if I had read it as a paperback but not bad at all.
deckofkeys's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I think this should be required reading for all high school students. The right-wing critics have clearly never read the book and are obviously trying to hide their blatant racism behind a pitiful attempt at academic reasoning.
ooohgoshtara's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This book is a short introduction to critical race theory 'CRT'. It does a fair job of summarizing aspects of a complex theoretical perspective in easy to understand language.
mbwojci's review against another edition
4.0
A helpful primer on CRT. Stating its basis in legal studies, a book like this is helpful to situate the origins of CRT as well as how it disseminated over the last few decades.
Some interesting observations:
The picture of CRT here seems to be extremely contextualized—rather than dealing with sweeping legislation on a federal level as observed with some modern/progressive CRT advocates, it appears to specifically acknowledge immediate cultural contexts and use legal decisions to articulate points which are generally arrived upon through unique situations. (Seems that CRT would advocate for legislation at the local/state level over a federal level EXCEPT FOR when a federal level is actually possible / warranted)
The CRT advocates presented here seem to be ambivalent about Marxism/Class Warfare at best, arguing that Classism, when ignoring race, doesn’t solve systemic race issues writ large. A notable point, given general criticism of CRT from the right equates it with Marxist ideologies.
Lastly, I think the legal questions offered often in conjunction with highly specific scenarios is helpful to see the warrant of using CRT to examine situations and make recommendations towards solutions, or in the case where clear solutions don’t arise to try to at least be thoughtful in decision-making.
My one biggest complaint is that citation of ideas seems very inconsistent—in multiple places where a point was made as “a scholar has noted....” there were no cites present. In a couple of cases, I found myself interested in the study that was referred to but was unable to read it because there was no citation.
tl;dr
Want to learn more about CRT? Start here. Highly readable for being a work out of legal studies. Summarizes the history, present, and future of CRT in understandable terms appreciating the complexity of the field (Crit studies) and the topic (Racism).
Some interesting observations:
The picture of CRT here seems to be extremely contextualized—rather than dealing with sweeping legislation on a federal level as observed with some modern/progressive CRT advocates, it appears to specifically acknowledge immediate cultural contexts and use legal decisions to articulate points which are generally arrived upon through unique situations. (Seems that CRT would advocate for legislation at the local/state level over a federal level EXCEPT FOR when a federal level is actually possible / warranted)
The CRT advocates presented here seem to be ambivalent about Marxism/Class Warfare at best, arguing that Classism, when ignoring race, doesn’t solve systemic race issues writ large. A notable point, given general criticism of CRT from the right equates it with Marxist ideologies.
Lastly, I think the legal questions offered often in conjunction with highly specific scenarios is helpful to see the warrant of using CRT to examine situations and make recommendations towards solutions, or in the case where clear solutions don’t arise to try to at least be thoughtful in decision-making.
My one biggest complaint is that citation of ideas seems very inconsistent—in multiple places where a point was made as “a scholar has noted....” there were no cites present. In a couple of cases, I found myself interested in the study that was referred to but was unable to read it because there was no citation.
tl;dr
Want to learn more about CRT? Start here. Highly readable for being a work out of legal studies. Summarizes the history, present, and future of CRT in understandable terms appreciating the complexity of the field (Crit studies) and the topic (Racism).
thehappypoet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
This book is a great read through but it's ultimately written as a study guide which suits it's pacing very well. It has the pedagogic tone of taking its reader by the hand and slowly stepping them through various thought experiments and then historical analysis of strides that have been made and shortfalls that have been used as weapons in the long legacy of racism and power in American history. Highly recommend especially for revisiting.