Critically Speaking Dr. James Michael Thomas: What's Critical Race Theory?
In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. James Michael Thomas discuss Critical Race Theory (CRT). Dr. Thomas explains CRT as a framework for understanding persistent racism post-Civil Rights Era, emphasizing its structural presence in law, education, and urban planning. He highlights the misconceptions around CRT, noting it's often misrepresented in legislative efforts to ban it. Dr. Thomas also discusses systemic racism, implicit vs. explicit racism, and the concept of white privilege. He shares personal anecdotes and research on white Southerners' awareness of racial advantages, and critiques legislative attempts to control education and maintain inequality.
Key Takeaways:
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Critical Race Theory is a framework for understanding how racism persisted and continues to persist in the post-Civil Rights Era.
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We distinguish systemic racism from personal acts of prejudice, racist attitudes, or racist actions because those individual attitudes and actions do not have the same effect on the distribution of power, resources, and opportunity.
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Many who object to teaching American history, good and bad, often are in power and do not want to discuss the unequal arrangements that have resulted from the racism and inequality that have shaped this country and present-day conditions, nor do they want to have their source of power questioned.
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Race has no basis in biology; race is a social construction.
"When Critical Race theorists consider the idea of racial progress, what they're trying to do is make distinctions between changes in law and then how that law is enforced or not enforced, and if it is enforced, often unevenly and with very mixed results." — Dr. James Michael Thomas
Episode References:
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‘It’s a complicated time to be a white Southerner’ - and their views on race reflect that: https://theconversation.com/its-a-complicated-time-to-be-a-white-southerner-and-their-views-on-race-reflect-that-261454
Connect with Dr. James Michael Thomas:
Professional Bio: https://olemiss.edu/profiles/jmthoma4.php
Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00SJPHVD2/allbooks
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-thomas-63952728
Connect with Therese:
Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net
Threads: @critically_speaking
Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net
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