QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR CHAPTER I

1. 1. Is critical race theory pessimistic? Consider that it holds that racism is ordinary, normal, and embedded in society and, moreover, that changes in relationships among the races (which include both improvements and turns for the worse) reflect the interest of dominant groups, rather than idealism, altruism, or the rule of law. Or is it optimistic, because it believes that race is a social construction? (As such, it should be subject to ready change.)

   And if CRT does have a dark side, what follows from that? Is medicine pessimistic because it focuses on diseases and traumas?

2. 2. Most people of color believe that the world contains much more racism than white folks do. What accounts for this difference?
3. 3. Is race or class more important in determining one’s life chances?
4. 4. Why have scholars in the field of education, particularly, found CRT’s teachings helpful?
5. 5. Is racism essentially a cognitive error—a product of ignorance or lack of experience—and so correctable through teaching and learning?
6. 6. If you are a community activist, what lessons from this chapter could you apply to your daily work?
7. 7. Have you read any books, published before 1989 perhaps, that were works of critical race theory, even if they were not designated as such?