Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework being used for this particular study is Critical Race Theory (CRT). The premise of CRT is that race is a social construct that affects all aspects of life and is deeply engrained in the fabric of society (Ladson-Billings, 1998). CRT rejects the concept of colorblindness and race neutrality. The argument in CRT is that the world operates as if Whiteness is the norm, which causes other groups to be marginalized. Whiteness itself is viewed as property owned by White people that no one else can access (Delgado, R. & Stefancic, J., 2001). The goal of CRT is to work towards social justice and equality. In order to accomplish this, race must be addressed not ignored. CRT also seeks to counter White …show more content…
CRT is a radical theory that encourages scholars to think critically and move beyond the existing state of affairs. CRT delves deeper than multicultural theories in order to deal with the root causes of racism and inequities in order to activate change. Subotnik (1998) states that critics of the theory believe that CRT is used to validate anything that African Americans do and prevents critics from feeling free to question the accuracy of the arguments for fear of seeming intolerant. Subotnik (1998) also argues that one experience expressed in a narrative cannot be used to create a global message. While recapping a story told by Patricia Williams, a Columbia University law professor, regarding the possible bias and effects of the price difference in the sale of white dolls versus black dolls, Subotnik (1998) wonders whether her story leaves too many unanswered questions for the experience to be universally accepted as racial …show more content…
In order for those who have not experienced what it is to be Black, narratives are told to describe those experiences and to express living situations of racial oppression. In CRT, the subjects of the study are allowed to tell their story from their own point of view, not from the interpretation of the researcher (Bell, 1995). For this reason, CRT works well with an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). IPA allows the researcher to gather comprehensive personal narratives (Smith, Larkin, & Flowers, 2009). The narratives allow the researcher to explore and understand the essence of the experience by asking questions that will allow the participant to make sense and meaning of that particular shared experience within a particular context (Smith, et. al, 2009). In this instance, the shared experience is the undergraduate experience of Black alumni from an Ivy League, PWI and the context is of those who attended their affinity reunion event, but not their class
The theoretical framework being used for this particular study is Critical Race Theory (CRT). The premise of CRT is that race is a social construct that affects all aspects of life and is deeply engrained in the fabric of society (Ladson-Billings, 1998). CRT rejects the concept of colorblindness and race neutrality. The argument in CRT is that the world operates as if Whiteness is the norm, which causes other groups to be marginalized. Whiteness itself is viewed as property owned by White people that no one else can access (Delgado, R. & Stefancic, J., 2001). The goal of CRT is to work towards social justice and equality. In order to accomplish this, race must be addressed not ignored. CRT also seeks to counter White …show more content…
CRT is a radical theory that encourages scholars to think critically and move beyond the existing state of affairs. CRT delves deeper than multicultural theories in order to deal with the root causes of racism and inequities in order to activate change. Subotnik (1998) states that critics of the theory believe that CRT is used to validate anything that African Americans do and prevents critics from feeling free to question the accuracy of the arguments for fear of seeming intolerant. Subotnik (1998) also argues that one experience expressed in a narrative cannot be used to create a global message. While recapping a story told by Patricia Williams, a Columbia University law professor, regarding the possible bias and effects of the price difference in the sale of white dolls versus black dolls, Subotnik (1998) wonders whether her story leaves too many unanswered questions for the experience to be universally accepted as racial …show more content…
In order for those who have not experienced what it is to be Black, narratives are told to describe those experiences and to express living situations of racial oppression. In CRT, the subjects of the study are allowed to tell their story from their own point of view, not from the interpretation of the researcher (Bell, 1995). For this reason, CRT works well with an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). IPA allows the researcher to gather comprehensive personal narratives (Smith, Larkin, & Flowers, 2009). The narratives allow the researcher to explore and understand the essence of the experience by asking questions that will allow the participant to make sense and meaning of that particular shared experience within a particular context (Smith, et. al, 2009). In this instance, the shared experience is the undergraduate experience of Black alumni from an Ivy League, PWI and the context is of those who attended their affinity reunion event, but not their class