Legal Definitions - Critical Race Theory

Definition: Critical Race Theory is a movement within the legal profession that believes the legal system has disempowered racial minorities. It was first introduced in 1989. Critical race theorists argue that the law cannot be neutral because those who created it had their own subjective perspectives that have disadvantaged minorities and perpetuated racism, even if the law is written in neutral language.

For example, a critical race theorist might argue that a law requiring voters to show a government-issued ID at the polls is discriminatory because it disproportionately affects minorities who may not have access to such identification. They might also argue that the criminal justice system is biased against minorities because they are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to longer prison terms than white people for the same crimes.

The body of work produced by adherents to this theory is abbreviated as CRT.