Abstract
Critical Race Theory (CRT) scholars in Education, like activists, are intent on dismantling racism in education (and society at large), and often do so by engaging the problem of racial injustice through social science research. CRT research creates a wealth of awareness about how racism functions, and as a result, inspires social agency to create a more just society. This conceptual piece explores how CRT research, when joined with the efforts of activists, is even more potent with capacity to realize social justice. In the paper, the tenets of CRT in Education are outlined, and serve as the foundation of a model that reveal how each tenet can shape research designs, that inform decision making in social movement strategy development. The model is inspired by the author’s personal experiences with combining CRT research with social movement strategy development, and is intended to serve as an impetus for increased dialogue about how CRT social science research, particularly in Education, can support activists’ goals to dismantle racism.
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Notes
Social movements also include community organizing. Community organizing can be defined as the collective action of community residents to address local social issues of mutual concern (Christens and Speer 2015).
As an example, SAT scores are influenced by socio-economic status and parent education. These exams have disadvantaged low-income, first-generation, students of color in the college admissions process (and over-predict college retention for African American students) (Geiser and Studley 2001; Geiser and Santelices 2007). A study which positioned SAT scores as a valid mean to measure college readiness for students of color, perpetuates the myth of meritocracy, and would not be in line with Critical Race Theory.
This is a pseudonym.
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Johnson-Ahorlu, R.N. Efficient Social Justice: How Critical Race Theory Research can Inform Social Movement Strategy Development. Urban Rev 49, 729–745 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-017-0419-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-017-0419-8