Critical Race Theory beyond North America

Abstract

This chapter presents the potential of community cultural wealth to transform the process of schooling. It discusses the ways critical race theory (CRT) centers outsider, mestiza, and transgressive knowledges. CRT draws from and extends a broad literature base of critical theory in law, sociology, history, ethnic studies, and women's studies. Kimberle Crenshaw explains that various legal scholars felt limited by work that separated critical theory from conversations about race and racism. CRT emerged from criticisms of the critical legal studies (CLS) movement. CLS scholars questioned the role of the traditional legal system in legitimizing oppressive social structures. CRT addresses the social construct of race by examining the ideology of racism. CRT finds that racism is often well disguised in the rhetoric of shared 'normative' values and 'neutral' social scientific principles and practices CRT shifts the center of focus from notions of White, middle class culture to the cultures of communities of color.