Critical Race Theory and Social Studies: Centering the Native American Experience

Abstract

This article looks at the ways in which the topic of race is treated in social studies classrooms and the conceptual application of the field of critical race theory (CRT) to the teaching of American history. The author discusses the field of the social studies in terms of its stated goals and how these goals are not met because of a lack of atten tion that is paid to the pervasive power of race in US history. By discussing the tenets of CRT, the author argues that US history be taught from a race-based perspective, given the influence that race has had on the unfolding of the American nation state. In addition to discussing the fundamental characteristics of CRT, the author then gives ideas and concrete examples of how CRT can be used in the classroom to teach the topic of Native American history.