I'm not sure I'm 100% on-board with CRT, though I find that I agree with... 40%? 50%? But I'm the "mainstream liberal" who believes in "Enlightenment philosophy", so that is not surprising: CRT is both a reaction against and a building upon "old" liberalism.

That isn't why I give two stars though. (Maybe that gives it three stars...?) This book is just too little. It covers everything at a very high level, with very little to no expansion on the ideas introduced. While each chapter lists 'suggested readings', these are not e.g. end-noted within the text, so whether you agree or disagree (or merely are suspicious of, or 'merely' interested in) something, you kind of have to guess what you should follow up on. So the 'suggested readings' are less immediately helpful than they might otherwise be. The authors are themselves CRT practitioners/proponents/etc. but they are unable (or unwilling, or whatever) to shelve this; I come from the physical sciences so the complete and utter lack of anything even remotely like an unbiased presentation was continually distracting. The chapter on critiques was hardly a chapter at all, and a bit of hand-waving around the existence of 'internal' debate isn't helpful in the least. The fact that there is even such a closed of 'internal' debate is somewhat disturbing, again as someone coming from the physical sciences, used to operating where in an environment where not playing with all your cards on the table is considered the ultimate crime.

That said... it's a CliffsNotes for CRT. Which is useful. But I would prefer a much denser treatment, even in 'An Introduction.' ( )

Whenever critical race theory (CRT) comes up in a news story, my local paper--whether in wire service or local reportage--stops to define CRT as a rarified academic theory that is limited to the law. Just last month they gave this definition: "critical race theory, an academic framework that examines the role of law in furthering racial inequities."

But proponents of CRT are not so modest. Richard Delgado, one of the founders of CRT, and coauthor Jean Stefancic, in their book "Critical Race Theory: An Introduction," write, "Although CRT began as a movement in the law, it has rapidly spread beyond that discipline. Today, many scholars in the field of education consider themselves critical race theorists" [page 7]. The authors go on to say, "Unlike some academic disciplines, critical race theory contains an activist dimension. It tries not only to understand our social situation but to change it" [page 8].

I call that getting information from the horse's mouth. The narrative in the press is that maybe those nutty conservatives think that university level courses in CRT are being taught in grade school. But actually, as this book shows, CRT is an ideology and a commitment with wide applications and implications. Its advocates are trying to use CRT's analysis to make radical change by acting throughout society.

While I cannot say that I enjoyed reading this book, I will say that it is very clear and instructive. Having read it, I know what CRT is and what it is not. As this book's title suggests, this is a way into the subject unmediated by criticism (or critical thought). I would compare it to reading Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" though not as much fun. ( )

Survey of CRT

A helpful survey of the history and growth of critical race theory and its implications, especially for the USA. Key theorists are identified as well as criticisms of CRT. The authors favour CRT and are cautiously optimistic about its ability to bring about a more just society in their view. Each chapter concludes with questions for discussion, which would serve well for class discussion if this book is used as a text. I believe it would help to give more space to critiques of CRT, but considering the purpose of the book, what is addressed is probably sufficient. ( )

An important overview of a body of work that examines the inherent racism in American institutions. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the challenges we have to face when remaking our systems as less racist. It also outlines many self-reflection questions and further reading. I read this as part of an on-line course in Critical Race Theory, https://blogs.brown.edu/amst-2220j-s01-2017-fall/ There is so much work to do. ( )

Short intro text; not sure it was as useful as some of the foundational texts like Patricia Williams, The Alchemy of Race and Rights. But kind of heartbreaking to read the 2017 edition and its rather mild hopes from 2021, when backlash is in full swing. ( )