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Research Guides

Literary Research: Critical Race Theory

Literary Theory and Criticism

What is Critical Race Theory?

"Critical race theory (CRT) is a multidisciplinary academic construct that assembles strong arguments about the connection among race, law, and white supremacy. CRT originated during the 1970s and stemmed from the frustration many legal scholars felt about the failure of civil rights legislation to resolve the key issues of the Jim Crow era, adequately and appropriately." (African American Culture: An Encyclopedia of People, Traditions, and Customs)