Critical Race Theory

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Yosso, Villalpando, Delgado Bernal, and Solorzano (2001) cite that Critical Race Theory challenges research paradigms that are deeply grounded in the historical, cultural, and social experiences of dominant society. Moreover, Lincoln (as cited in Yosso, Villalpando, Delgado Bernal, & Solorzano, 2001) highlights Critical Race Theory as a methodology that intentionally seeks to learn about the marginalization and oppression experienced by underrepresented populations. Critical Race Theory expanded upon the work of Critical Legal Studies and incorporates race, racism, and the lived experiences of marginalized populations into scholarship (Ladson-Billings, 1998). According to Ladson-Billings (1998), although Critical Legal Studies analyzed societal …show more content…

Woodson, Friere, and hooks (as cited in Kohli, 2008) describe the way that our education system is based on mainstream society’s ideals and promotes oppression, promotes dominant culture, and generates feelings of inferiority among underrepresented minorities. Critical Race Theory in Education was introduced in 1994 as a more aggressive approach in examining the inequities and recurring patterns of marginalization that occur in education (Hiraldo, 2010; Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1995). Yosso, Villalpando, Delgado Bernal, and Solorzano (2001) identify several basic themes that focus the work of Critical Race Theory in Education; these themes include permanency of race and racism in education, challenging dominant ideology, a strong commitment to social justice, the significance of experiential knowledge, and the strengths associated with using an interdisciplinary perspective. Critical Race Theory acknowledges the prevalence and historically-rooted nature of racism in the United States; however, Critical Race Theory also focuses on other aspects of subordination that promote marginalization (Yosso et al., 2001). Critical Race Theory identifies and challenges systems that promote the self-interest of mainstream society and promote power and privilege among dominant groups. Moreover, Solorzano and Delgado Bernal (2001) recognize Critical Race Theory as a means of empowerment in ending subordination through its commitment to social justice. Stories are used to describe the lived experiences of underrepresented populations and to counter the stories told by mainstream society about the educational experiences of marginalized

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