Critical race theory is a legal framework that provides critical analysis of race and racism. It recognizes that racism is engrained in the fabric and system of American society (Delgado and Stefancic, 11). The concept also rejects traditions of liberalism and meritocracy. Despite legal discourse terming the law as neutral and colorblind, critical race theorists challenge this notion by examining liberalism and meritocracy as a vehicle of self-interest, power, and privilege. Using various narratives, theorists are able to present different perspectives on matters concerning race and how they relate to law and power.
Keywords: meritocracy, liberalism, legal
In his lecture, Professor Takaki uses the concept of "lecture within a lecture" to present a different point of view on the race and immigration to the audience. The renowned educator accomplishes in the talk this by presenting a history lecture on how various immigrants moved to the US and what triggered this. This is aimed at challenging the racial stereotypes that have been ended in society thus allowing the students to critically think for themselves rather than go by the inaccurate narratives put forward.
Storytelling has proved to be a vital tool in challenging hegemonic power and master narrative. This is sometimes termed as offering alternate realities to an audience. This is attributable to the fact that it presents the listener with a new unbiased point of view that seeks out to uncover the actual truth, particularly on racial matters. Through storytelling, theorists can revisit past events and unearth some underlying facts which have been suppressed by the ruling class in support of their views prompting many to research on subject matters (Takaki, 57). Storytelling is and will continue to be a major part of the Critical Racial Theory as it is the driving force in critical thinking.
Works Cited
Delgado, Richard, and Stefancic, Jean. Critical Race Theory: An Introduction (2nd ed.). New York University Press, 2012.
Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Bay Back Books, 2012.
