Chapter 20: A Vision of Race, Crime, and Justice Through the Lens of Critical Race Theory

Lee E. Ross

A vision of race, crime, and justice through the lens of critical race theory This chapter presents an overview of critical race theory and its application to select areas of race, crime, and justice. Critical race theory concerns the study and transformation of relationships among race, racism, and power. Unlike traditional civil rights, which embraces incrementalism and systematic progress, critical race theory questions the very foundations of the legal order. In examining the dynamics of race, crime, and justice, this chapter applies various themes and terminologies such as interest convergence, legal indeterminacy, and first person narratives to assess their potential to inform and facilitate an understanding of racial disparities in American criminal justice systems. Over the last three decades, the fields of legal studies, criminology, and education have witnessed a number of exciting theoretical developments. Few have been as promising and insightful as critical race theory (CRT). This theory concerns ...

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