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Politics dictionary results for Critical Race Theory.

critical race theory

American  
[krit-i-kuhl reys thee-uh-ree, theer-ee] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈreɪs ˌθi ə ri, ˌθɪər i /
Sometimes Critical Race Theory

noun

  1. a conceptual framework that considers the impact of historical laws and social structures on the present-day perpetuation of racial inequality: first used in legal analyses, and now applied in education, communication studies, and sociology. CRT


Etymology

Origin of critical race theory

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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The field of critical race theory, known widely as CRT, examines the extent to which racial inequality and racism are systemically embedded in American institutions.

From Los Angeles Times May 20, 2025

Cheryl Harris, a legal scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a leading thinker in the field of critical race theory, has helped organize the May 3 protest.

From New York Times Apr. 24, 2023

For decades, critical race theory was something discussed almost exclusively by scholars and academics.

From Slate Sep. 30, 2022

“They’re using that term, critical race theory, to describe anything that’s related to talking about race or racism or systemic oppression. So it’s very difficult to fight back.”

From Washington Post May 21, 2022

My book "The End of Policing" is not part of the tradition of legal scholarship referred to as critical race theory.

From Salon Apr. 5, 2022

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