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Introduction to Critical Race Theory (CRT). English 10B Spring 2013. What does race have to do with it?. When were you first aware of yourself as a member of a particular racial group? When were you first aware of people from other races?
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Introduction to Critical Race Theory (CRT) English 10B Spring 2013
What does race have to do with it? • When were you first aware of yourself as a member of a particular racial group? • When were you first aware of people from other races? • When did you first witness or experience someone being treated differently because of his or her racial group? • When was a time you realized that you would be treated differently because of your race? • What is one other significant event in your life related to race or racism?
Step to the Line - Activity • What did you notice during and/or after the activity? • How did you feel about the questions? • What thoughts do you have on the idea of race and privilege? • What factors do you believe go into ultimate success in life?
Common misconceptions on the topic of race… • Race is not a biological category, but an idea, a social construction • Saying that color doesn’t matter, actually draws attention to the fact that we are paying attention to the fact that colors exist. • Racism is not a Black/White issue – but also affects everyone in society – White, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American, bi-racial, and multi-racial people – because of the social advantages and disadvantages associated with race.
So, what is Critical Race Theory? • It is a specific set of principles and theories that actively engage general racial theories of particular times and/or social contexts. • Along with class and gender, it completes the main set of three oppressed social groups.
What are the purposes of CRT? • To advance social justice ideas to the general public, and scholars, while also aiming to even out social inequalities • Study the intersections between different groups of minorities. Recognizing that race and racism work with and through gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality and/or nation as systems of power • Study the significance of mass media and popular culture in the distribution of power and the perception of minorities
What does CRT ask us to focus on? • Is this good for people of color (we don’t say “colored people”)? • How does this portray people of color? • What conclusions seem to be made about people of color? • What intersectionalities (race + gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality) can you find and what do they mean?
What perspective do you take when using Critical Race Theory? • The perspective of the minority, of the oppressed, of the person who is viewed as “other”
Simply put… • Critical Race Theory examines how people of different races are portrayed.
Let’s try it out… • Take a look at the advertisement from the 1920’s to the right. • Write down what you see – as if you were describing the photo to me over the telephone…
Analysis using Critical Race Theory Use the questions below to critique the ad through the lens of CRT. • Is this good for people of color (we don’t say “colored people”)? • How does this portray people of color? • What conclusions seem to be made about people of color? • What intersectionalities (race + gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality) can you find and what do they mean?
And so… • After your analysis, what does it all mean? • What can you take away from this? • What insight does this give you about the society that Jem and Scout are living in?
Let’s try an ad that is more modern… • Take a look at the advertisement from 2012 to the right. • Write down what you see – as if you were describing the photo to me over the telephone…
Analysis using Critical Race Theory Use the questions below to critique the ad through the lens of CRT. • Is this good for people of color (we don’t say “colored people”)? • How does this portray people of color? • What conclusions seem to be made about people of color? • What intersectionalities (race + gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality) can you find and what do they mean?
And so… • After your analysis, what does it all mean? • What can you take away from this? • What insight does this give you about the society we live in?
Then there is this gem… This ad is brought to us by a Ukrainian travel company who is trying to promote travel to Asia. • What do you think? Racist? Why? • Explain using the analysis questions that have to do with CRT…
Questions to ask… • Is this good for people of color (we don’t say “colored people”)? • How does this portray people of color? • What conclusions seem to be made about people of color? • What intersectionalities (race + gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality) can you find and what do they mean?