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Critical race theory.

  • V. Thandi Sulé V. Thandi Sulé Oakland University Organizational Leadership Rochester Michigan 48309-4401 United States
  • https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1329
  • Published online: 30 April 2020

Critical race theory (CRT) is a framework that unapologetically asserts how and why race matters in the maintenance of U.S. policies and practices. In doing so, CRT counters discourse that situates discrimination and disparities within the realm of individual behaviors or psychological deficits. Therefore, racism is seen for what it is—a willful, institutionalized, and dehumanizing way of being. Though racism prevailed as the quintessential problem of the 20 th century, the 21st century has revealed that the color line remains remarkably undisturbed. Whether one is focusing on housing, education, employment, wealth, health, safety, or justice, racial disparities and inequities exist to the disadvantage of racially minoritized people. Born out of discontent for legal remedies for inequality, CRT speaks to the universal way that racism immobilizes minoritized people—thereby providing an almost unwavering advantage to white people. This review provides an overview of the tenets of CRT and how those tenets connect with social work values and practice.

  • Critical race theory
  • discrimination
  • intersectionality
  • white privilege
  • structural racism
  • social work practice

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Counternarratives: An Antiracist Approach in Social Work Education, Practice, and Research

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Julie Berrett-Abebe, Sarah C Reed, Stephanie Burrell Storms, Counternarratives: An Antiracist Approach in Social Work Education, Practice, and Research, Social Work , Volume 68, Issue 2, April 2023, Pages 122–130, https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swad009

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Given renewed attention to racial equity in the social work profession, the authors suggest the use of counternarratives, an established tool of critical race theory, as an accessible method to challenge racism and examine privilege in social work education, practice, and research. Counternarratives use the technique of storytelling to elevate the lived experiences of marginalized individuals and communities and invite the listener into critical reflection about dominant, privileged discourses. The ultimate goal of counternarratives is the achievement of racial equity. The authors provide context about how counternarratives can align with social work education, practice, and research, and then use specific, illustrative examples from their own work to bring this method and its application to life. The authors also share their own processes of reflection and dialogue across disciplines and social locations in the use of counternarratives. The reflections of an experienced social justice educator provide additional insights on the use of counternarratives in the field of social work.

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Efficient Social Justice: How Critical Race Theory Research can Inform Social Movement Strategy Development

  • Published: 21 June 2017
  • Volume 49 , pages 729–745, ( 2017 )

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critical race theory an effective framework for social work research

  • R. Nicole Johnson-Ahorlu 1  

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Critical Race Theory (CRT) scholars in Education, like activists, are intent on dismantling racism in education (and society at large), and often do so by engaging the problem of racial injustice through social science research. CRT research creates a wealth of awareness about how racism functions, and as a result, inspires social agency to create a more just society. This conceptual piece explores how CRT research, when joined with the efforts of activists, is even more potent with capacity to realize social justice. In the paper, the tenets of CRT in Education are outlined, and serve as the foundation of a model that reveal how each tenet can shape research designs, that inform decision making in social movement strategy development. The model is inspired by the author’s personal experiences with combining CRT research with social movement strategy development, and is intended to serve as an impetus for increased dialogue about how CRT social science research, particularly in Education, can support activists’ goals to dismantle racism.

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Johnson-Ahorlu, R.N. Efficient Social Justice: How Critical Race Theory Research can Inform Social Movement Strategy Development. Urban Rev 49 , 729–745 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-017-0419-8

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