According to Kendi, CRT originated among lawyers and legal scholars who realized that despite the advancements of the civil rights movement, racial inequities and disparities persisted in America.
What does Ibram X. Kendi say of CRT ?
Kendi highlights that CRT has been mistakenly construed as an attack on white people, whereas it actually focuses on dismantling structural racism. He stresses that this misconception is particularly troubling as it distorts the theory's true intent and purpose.
Kendi also discusses his relationship with CRT, acknowledging that while he is inspired by it, his work is distinct, particularly influenced by Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectional theory. He touches upon the challenges he faces in the academic world, especially when his work is critiqued without being properly engaged with.
Kendi emphasizes the importance of differentiating between 'racism' and 'racist,' advocating for understanding racism as a systemic issue while viewing racist as a term applicable to individuals, ideas, policies, or nations. This distinction, he believes, is crucial for a clearer discourse on the subject.