ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the concept of Critical Race Theory (CRT), highlights its importance in discussing contemporary race issues, and discusses CRT’s fit with the mission of social work. It deals with examples of how CRT can be applied to social work education, practice, research, and policy. According to CRT, racial minorities made limited progress following the civil rights era because issues of race and racism are deeply engrained in policies and social processes. CRT is a relevant discourse because of the persistent racial disparities across social and economic domains. The use of CRT in social work education provides a framework for educators to not just discuss the intersection of diverse backgrounds, but also the intersecting struggles that people face as a result of their different social locations. The CRT tenet of race being a social construct focuses our attention on how populations and problems are negatively socially constructed.
