I first learned about Critical Race Theory when I stumbled upon Neil Shenvi’s website about two years ago. After viewing his webinar, various elements in our culture fell into place for me. I saw how many movements such as the LGBTQ, comprehensive sexuality education, political correctness, tolerance, hate speech, and the promotion of socialism all fit together. In concert, these ideas are pushing our nation off its foundation.

The history of ideas and how they shape society has long intrigued me. My study of literature as an English major showed me the progression of philosophies. “Communism World,” a high school course, demonstrated how the ideas of a nineteenth-century German man murdered over a hundred million people in the twentieth century.

Worldviews have consequences, for good or bad. Critical Theory (aka Social Justice or Antiracism) leads people down the road to hell.

Here’s a list of resources to educate yourself on Critical Race Theory.

Definition

Here’s a commonly cited definition by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs:

CRT recognizes that racism is engrained in the fabric and system of American society. The individual racist need not exist to note that institutional racism is pervasive in the dominant culture. This is the analytical lens that CRT uses in examining existing power structures. CRT identifies that these power structures are based on white privilege and white supremacy, which perpetuates the marginalization of people of color. CRT also rejects the traditions of liberalism and meritocracy. Legal discourse says that the law is neutral and colorblind, however, CRT challenges this legal “truth” by examining liberalism and meritocracy as a vehicle for self-interest, power, and privilege.”

Primary Sources

Critical Theory: The writings of Professor Derrick Bell of the University of Washington Law School developed the concept of Critical Legal Theory. In 1989, he introduced Critical Race Theory as a Harvard professor.

Intersectionality: In 1989, Kimberlé Crenshaw, a student of Derrick Bell, presented this concept in her paper “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics.”

White Privilege: Peggy McIntosh described this concept in a paper in 1988 and later in her book, White Fragility.

Critical Race Theory by Richard Delgado (first edition, 2001; second edition, 2012; third edition, 2017).

Antiracism: Ibram X. Kendi popularized this phrase with his book, How to be an Antiracist (2019).

Racial Equity Tools offer tools, research, tips, curricula for racial justice.

Equity Resources on South Whidbey School District’s website.

Explanations and Critiques of Critical Race Theory

“Derrick Bell and the Critical Race Theory” by Ismael Hernandez. This is a bit scholarly but a concise definition of CRT.

“How to Be an Anti-Intellectual: “A lauded book about antiracism is wrong on its facts and in its assumptions,” a review of How to Be an Antiracist by Coleman Hughes. I have read only a couple of chapters of this book, and I already see the contradictions and sloppy scholarship.

“The Fallacy of ‘White Privilege’” by Dennis Prager

Critical Race Theory Briefing Book by Christopher Rufo, Seattle-area documentary filmmaker. This excellent resource defines many CRT terms and then gives a call to action against it. It also lists several examples of CRT in public schools and in government. See christopherrufo.com for more articles and his video on CRT.

New Discourses is an apolitical website that seeks an open discussion on Critical Social Justice. “Thus, in the spirit of free inquiry, free speech, and free association—without guilt—New Discourses hopes among its missions to elucidate the ways by which the Critical Social Justice movement is attempting to and succeeding at defining and controlling our discourses on their terms. Thus, much of what New Discourses aims to do is to offer education and educational resources about these new terms.” This site contains an excellent glossary of Social Justice terms. The definitions include source citations and have a New Discourses Commentary as well.

Seattle talk-radio host Jason Rantz has written multiple stories on CRT in the local schools. For example, “Superintendent says WA schools don’t teach critical race theory—that’s a lie.”

“Indeed, the academic discipline of CRT isn’t being taught in our schools. Teachers aren’t explaining what CRT is nor covering the legal concepts that comprise CRT in a 101 or advanced-level course. But no one is making that direct claim.

“When we say CRT is taught, we mean the concept of CRT is taken as fact, and its principles frame the very curriculum in front of your kids. In other words, teachers are not teaching CRT; they’re using the CRT lens to frame lesson plans. It’s why we point to precise content.”

Jason Rantz

The Plot to Change America: How Identity Politics is Dividing the Land of the Free by Mike Gonzalez of the Heritage Foundation. This book describes the origins of racial groups in America and their connections with Marxism.

PragerU’s 5-minute videos will give you a quick summary of different aspects of the social justice/critical theory movement.

  • “What Is Critical Race Theory?” by James Lindsay of New Discourses.
  • “How the Left Sees the World: Power, Race, and Class.” The Left views strong groups as bad and weak groups as good. Right or wrong don’t matter. Neither moral good nor evil exist in the world of the Left.
  • “Who Has Privilege?” The US isn’t systemically racist.
  • “What Is Identity Socialism?” Marxist German immigrant Herbert Marcuse recruited college students in the 1960s to be revolutionaries for social justice. He taught that race, gender, and other identities were either oppressors or the oppressed.

Biblical Response

Engaging Critical Theory and the Social Justice Movement by Ratio Christi, an excellent resource from an apologetic point of view.

Neil Shenvi Apologetics. This website contains numerous resources on CRT.

“The Long March through the Institutions of Society” by Bobby Harrington explains how America’s culture has got to where it is today.

Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis by Scott David Allen (Credo House Publishers: 2020). This book contains a valuable table that contrasts the biblical worldview with the worldview of Ideological Social Justice.

Fault Lines: The Social Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe by Voddie T. Baucham Jr. (Salem Books: 2021). Pastor Baucham explains in plain language the religion of antiracism and its danger to Christian churches and schools.

“Critical Race Theory Lives by Lies” by Kevin McGary, president of Every Black Life Matters.

What Would You Say? short videos

Lorinda’s Ponderings Posts on CRT

How to Stop the Spread of Critical Race Theory

“Reject Critical Race Theory” by the Heritage Foundation. This article gives a brief background and then action steps to drive CRT out of your local school. It closes with a short additional reading list.

“Critical Race Theory: What It Is and How to Fight It” Imprimis article based on a speech by Christoper F. Rufo. After explaining what CRT is, Rufo explains four failed ways for fighting against it, which are worth noting. Then he offers a three-part strategy to defeat CRT. A must-read.

“Parents Need to Fight Back Against Critical Race Theory” by PragerU introducing their new kids’ video curriculum. See PragerU Kids.