Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines: Resisting Racism through Scholactivism

This book argues that critical race theory (CRT)—which originated within Legal Studies during the 1970s—has permeated multiple academic disciplines and informs the ethical commitments of scholars in diverse fields of study. Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines includes essays by scholars of African American studies from multiple schools and disciplines outside of the legal realm, who directly and indirectly incorporate CRT through signaling a commitment to scholar-activism or scholactivism. Scholars who embrace the scholactivist agenda hope to understand the roots of anti-Black racism and to actively oppose all forms of oppression. Drawing on CRT, the volume contends that race and racial thinking permeate various institutions and influence American culture and life. The volume counters the colorblind rhetoric of conservatives and traditional liberals who dismiss the notion of systemic racism, discount racial inequities, and disregard racial justice advocates as malcontents fanning the flames of racial dissension. The contributors of this collection challenge racism centering the stories, perspectives, and counter-narratives of African American soldiers, teachers, students, writers, psychologists, and theologians who continually defy and resist oppression in myriad ways.