Final answer:
Critical race theory analyzes the deeply entrenched racism in societal structures in the US. It criticizes the conception of 'Whiteness' and systemic issues, rather than isolated incidents. CRT uses counter-storytelling to challenge dominant narratives and expose racial inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critical race theory (CRT) is an intellectual movement that emerged in the 1980s, primarily within the legal field, but has since had implications across various disciplines. CRT posits that racism is ingrained in the fabric and system of the American society. The theory analyzes how the social construct of race and institutionalized racism perpetuate a racial caste system that relegates people of color to the bottom tiers. Moreover, CRT rejects the idea that legal advances or legislation of civil rights in the US is the ultimate indicator of racial progress.
One of the fundamental claims of CRT is that the concept of 'Whiteness' has historically been used to justify the dehumanization and exploitation of colonized peoples, and this conception has been embedded within the legal and social systems to marginalize non-white individuals. Scholars within this framework see racism not as a series of isolated incidents, but as a systemic issue that is deeply rooted in the foundation of the society and its institutions.
Understanding CRT involves recognizing how power structures and systemic inequities impact racial dynamics. It challenges traditional views of meritocracy and color-blindness, highlighting how these principles often mask and sustain racial inequalities. Counter-storytelling is one way CRT scholars challenge predominant narratives and highlight marginalized perspectives, shedding light on the lived realities of people of color.