REVIEWS | EXCERPT | CONTENTS | AUTHOR BIO | SUBJECT CATEGORIESA powerful collection of original essays on the history of Critical Race Theory Crossroads, Directions, and a New Critical Race TheorySearch the full text of this bookedited by Francisco Valdes, Jerome McCristal Culp and Angela P. Harris
Its opponents call it part of "the lunatic fringe," a justification for "black separateness," "the most embarrassing trend in American publishing." "It" is Critical Race Theory. But what is Critical Race Theory? How did it develop? Where does it stand now? Where should it go in the future? In this volume, thirty-one CRT scholars present their views on the ideas and methods of CRT, its role in academia and in the culture at large, and its past, present, and future. Critical race theorists assert that both the procedures and the substance of American law are structured to maintain white privilege. The neutrality and objectivity of the law are not just unattainable ideals; they are harmful actions that obscure the law's role in protecting white supremacy. This notionso obvious to some, so unthinkable to othershas stimulated and divided legal thinking in this country and, increasingly, abroad. The essays in Crossroads, Directions, and a New Critical Race Theoryall originaladdress this notion in a variety of helpful and exciting ways. They use analysis, personal experience, historical narrative, and many other techniques to explain the importance of looking critically at how race permeates our national consciousness. ExcerptRead the Foreword and Introduction (pdf). Reviews"The book is a must-read for those who are interested in the genesis of CRT [Critical Race Theory], in how CRT positions itself against other legal discourses, and in the current debates within the CRT literature."
"The essays are a snapshot of a sprawling, unruly, and sometimes fractious field. Meant to evaluate the first ten years of critical race theory's development, the book truly captures a discipline at the crossroads, struggling with how to define its substantive mission, methodological commitments, and connection to a world outside the academy."
"On the whole, this collection will leave those of us with an investment in (and a debt to pay to) critical race theory optimistic about its future."
"The volume certainly offers much material for another conservative broadside against critical race theory, but by speaking their truthand speaking it elegantlythis collection of 'outsider' academics has offered a telling and important contribution to the future."
ContentsForeword: Who Are We? And Why Are We Here? Doing Critical Race Theory in Hard Times Charles R. Lawrence III
Part I: Histories
Part II: Crossroads
Part III: Directions
Afterword: The Handmaid's Truth Derrick A. Bell
About the Author(s)Francisco Valdes is Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law. Jerome McCristal Culp is Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law. Angela P. Harris is Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley. Subject CategoriesGeneral Interest
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