Of course, there’s nothing wrong with citing popular sources. Consequently, readers come to think that critical race theory isn’t a particular ideology with a questionable set of assumptions but is just “the way sophisticated people talk about race.” Thus, the presuppositions and language of CRT come to be mainstreamed and accepted to the point that they are simply taken for granted.īy way of illustration, the “Notes” section of Oluo’s book contains only 37 references, the majority of which link to websites or news organizations ( The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, CNN, and USA Today are all cited). The most noteworthy aspect of the book is how clearly it illustrates “idea laundering,” the process by which lofty academic ideas filter into the popular consciousness through a succession of authors, making it difficult to recognize their origins. Critical race theory is a scholarly enterprise based on the assumption that racism is 1) permanent, 2) pervasive, 3) structural, 4) part of an interlocking system of oppressions and 5) best understood through lived experience. Ijeoma Oluo’s So You Want to Talk About Race is one of a growing number of books that communicates critical race theory to a popular audience.
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