Theoretical Intersections: Using CRT and Afropessimism to Understand the Current Bans on CRT

Abstract: Within the last two years, politicians, school boards, university leaders, and community members have fervently attacked Critical Race Theory as being racist, divisive, and wrong. Supporters of CRT argue the opposite – that CRT is an important tool for examining how racial power is reinforced within the United States, particularly around white supremacy. However, what is truly at the root of CRT bans is antiblackness, a concept not directly addressed by CRT. In this article, we bring CRT into conversation with Afropessimism to outline how the intersection between CRT and Afropessimism offers a structure to understand why the push for CRT bans is so strong.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/191168/2/Masta et all_Theoretical Intersections- Using CRT and Afropessimism to Understand the Current Bans on CRT.pdfPublished versionDescription of Masta et all_Theoretical Intersections- Using CRT and Afropessimism to Understand the Current Bans on CRT.pdf : Published versio