Where is the Racial Theory in Critical Race Theory?: A constructive criticism of the Crits

Abstract

Critical Race Theory (CRT) from its inception was not intended to be a theoretical framework, but rather a theorizing counterspace for scholars of color to challenge and transform racial oppression. Despite this context, the author demonstrates through a critical literature review that CRT is generally applied as a theoretical framework in higher education scholarship. As a constructive criticism, the author offers a critical theory of racism, hegemonic Whiteness, as an additional tenet of CRT. The author then applies hegemonic [End Page 209] Whiteness to CRT, demonstrating how this theory of racism helps CRT work through several of its conceptual tensions.