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Response to the Untestability of the Critical Race Theory
Introduction
CRT is the abbreviation of critical race theory. The theory suggests that race is not biologically and naturally constructed but a product of social concepts. According to the theory, race is a concept of white supremacy created by whites to maintain their ego and interest. It is a concept designed to impose economic and social differences among the whites and the minority groups. Racial inequality, as the result of the racial idea, is meant to keep whites on top of the labor markets and politics. Consequently, the gap created leads to poverty and criminality among minority groups. However, many theorists have refuted this notion indicating that it is not testable. They argue that there is no reliable way to measure race as a white concept, and thus, the claims that race is a white supremacist concept are an illusion of minority groups. Given these claims, this essay uses Yosso’s critical race counterstories and the film freedom fighters to show that the demands of white supremacists’ race concepts are testable.
Yosso, in her diary, states that she had a hard time trying to show her students are all equal, and none is superior to the other. Minority students have the notion that they are not intelligent, like whites. Thus they lack the motivation to study and pursue their dreams (Yosso, Tara). They associate their race with poverty and crime and believe that these traits are natural and shared in all people of race. However, their claims are false and are a result of the inferiority complex created by the white race. The white elites are selfish and power-hungry and thus spread the notions of racial inequality to down press the minority groups and maintain their position in politics and the labor markets. The minority groups, therefore, accept defeat and start evaluating themselves using white standards. They believe that whites should lead to every institution since they are naturally intelligent. However, intelligence is not a matter of race or background. Indeed there is no way to measure intelligent quotient even today. Physiological experts have indicated that creativity is not constant but increases as a person becomes exposed to new experiences. Thus whites are not the only intelligent people. Other races are also smart and capable of doing much more than the white race. Today we have seen minorities excel in sports, music, medicine, and many other disciplines and fields. Thus the only thing that makes the equality gap prevail is the inferiority complex mentality that is grounded in their thinking.
Indeed minority groups perform poorly in class compared to whites, especially in STEM subjects. Most of them even drop out of school and prefer the street life, which they believe they were meant to live. Nevertheless, it is not their race that hinders them from achieving their goal but the lack of grit. In the movie freedom writers, a young teacher emphasizes her students on the importance of tolerance and the need to complete and pursue higher education. The teacher is aware that the students, no matter their race, can excel in their educational pursuits. However, she is aware of white privilege and thus emphasizes tolerance. The minority groups go through a lot of trouble both in schools and at home (Vibriyanti, Yoana). They face prejudice and are underestimated in their society. Therefore, they feel that they do not deserve certain positions in life because they belong to white communities. They focus more on white privileges instead of focusing on their goals and dreams. The white elite’s conscious of this mental weakness among minority groups take advantage and begin to spread white supremacist ideas that result in poverty and crime among minority groups, including Chicano, Mexicans, and blacks.
Nevertheless, many scholars, including Martinez, refute the CRT theory and claim that it is untestable. They claim the theory is social, and there is no quantitative way of proving the theory correct (35). They believe that the argument is made of assumptions and unreliable claims. However, these scholars are supporters of a white supremacist. It can be statistically proven that white, fair well in education than minority group students. Also, there is evidence to show that minority groups lead a miserable life compared to blacks. Even in the past, minorities have been denied certain privileges, even the right to vote or attend individual institutions. There was also a time when a particular minority group could not visit certain restaurants since they were reserved for white people only. Even today, white supremacists can be observed in the US. Black people are associated with crime and blamed for the escalating crime rates. However, it is not only minority groups that are involved in crimes. White has been proven to be the perpetrators of the most heinous crimes, including murder, robberies, among many others.
The privileges given the whites make the minority groups lack self-worth, which is an essential aspect of progress. They feel that education and other opportunities that are necessary for everyone are not meant for them. Thus they lose morale to study hard and achieve their dreams. In the film freedom writers, the teacher encourages the students to nature self-worth and grit to excel in their studies. At the end of the film, it can be observed that most of the students did shine as expected. Thus, the scenario indicates that CRT theory is testable and legit. If the opposers want to test the theory, they should set aside two different classrooms (Rahmawati, Anita). Each class should have both white and minority groups. Then one course should entail minority groups that are subject to white supremacist ideologies while the other should include minority students with self-worth. Thus the study should evaluate which student would perform better after a certain period. Indeed the class with the student with self-esteem would perform better. Therefore it would be proven that race has nothing to do with one’s biology or naturalness. It is just a concept created to hinder minority groups from performing better and attaining certain positions in society.
Conclusion
The claims of the CRT theory are valid and testable. It has been observed that people of minority groups can perform better when placed under the right atmosphere. Race can not hinder one from achieving goals and objectives in life. But the sentiments spread about a race can impede the effectiveness of a person of a certain race. From the film freedom writers, it has been observed that minority groups require tolerance and motivation to excel in education like their white counterparts. Thus race is a socially constructed concept to undermine specific races and keep others on top of the labor market and politics.
Works Cited
Yosso, Tara J. Critical race counterstories along the Chicana/Chicano educational pipeline. Routledge, 2013. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=grbEPFmiHlsC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=Yosso%27s+Critical+Race+Counterstories&ots=OvA–3pExm&sig=qEKZbGfMLqFeF5Izh-Xc_w8FS20&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Yosso’s%20Critical%20Race%20Counterstories&f=false
Martinez, Aja Y. “A plea for critical race theory counterstory: Stock story versus counterstory dialogues concerning Alejandra’s” fit” in the academy.” Composition Studies (2014): 33-55.
Rahmawati, Anita. An Analysis Of Mrs. Erin Gruwell’s Sacrifices In “Freedom Writers” Film. Diss. University of Muhammadiyah Malang, 2015. http://eprints.umm.ac.id/21761/
Vibriyanti, Yoana. AN ANALYSIS OF VIOLENCE FACED BY EVA AS A STUDENT AT WOORDROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL ON RICHARD LAGRAVENESE’S FILM” FREEDOM WRITERS.” Diss. University of Muhammadiyah Malang, 2016. http://eprints.umm.ac.id/32728/