Critical Race Theory and Interest Convergence in the Desegregation of Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter describes and critique critical race theory (CRT) and its tenets. It traces the history of desegregation in higher education by examining the case of Tennessee State University through the lens of CRT. The chapter analyzes CRT’s explanatory strengths and weaknesses for analyses of higher education in general. A central tenet of CRT’s criticism of liberalism is Bell’s theory of “interest convergence”—that is, whites will promote advances for blacks only when they also promote white interests. Located in Nashville, Tennessee State University is a historically black college. Clearly, the interests of blacks and whites in quality of education must be linked, since Southern legislatures will not likely take the concerns of African Americans in higher education seriously unless white interests are also promoted. The massive, sustained resistance of whites in Southern states to comply with Brown would have come as no surprise to seasoned racial realists.