Essay On Critical Race Theory

My theoretical tendencies on social change are most aligned with critical theory. This is not because I am overly critical of all aspects of society, however, I am most often critical of the structural systems in place that appear to work as machines of oppression and interest groups rather than social justice and equality. This personal predisposition supports an approach that is congruent with structural social work theory. Structural social work critiques existing social, economic, and political institutions and practices while at the same time seeking to change them (Mullaly, 1997). My theoretical leaning toward critical theory is sometimes in disagreement with my personal approach to individual people. I feel that we as a people, and to a larger extent organizations and politicians, run the risk of being critical to the point where we alienate people and have nothing positive to say about the world or the environment that surrounds us. As Bellueville points out we are always in relationship with other people and to our surroundings in some way because as humans we are relational to the very core of our being. With this in mind stems an inner conflict with respect to critical theory and my desire to relate to people and my surroundings in a positive way. Can a person be critical and relational at the same time? I suppose the aim of Saul Alinsky was to develop relationships, but did he relate to everyone? Or do we simply accept the fact that there will inevitably be some conflict in our lives and face it when it arrives. It is important to note that I myself am a white male social worker in his 40’s who grew up in a lower middle class household with my parents hopes and dreams resting on the employment of racehorses to meet our day to day needs. Since obtaining my social work degree I have married within an Indigenous community and have 3 children and a grandchild whom are all Gitxsan. With my family in mind the subgroup of critical theory that I relate to is that of critical race theory, but is it critical race or critical culture theory that I am most aligned. Critical race theory describes the relationship between ostensibly race-neutral ideals, like “the rule of the land”, “merit”, and “equal protection”, and the structure of white supremacy and racism (Roithmeyer, 1999, p.1). …show more content…
In the community I live and work the contrast of wealth between non-indigenous and indigenous communities is quite obvious to the any observer so I come to this theoretical perspective naturally. Due to the inequalities that exist within our community we are continuously surrounded by the notion of “otherness” with respect to race, culture and community. The nearby community of Smithers, BC acts as a central hub for services in the surrounding communities and the home to a perceived elite group with a large population base made up of white male bureaucratic government workers and business owners. The money that keeps the Smithers economy going is largely driven by the poorer outside communities whether through the resources on the land or government services that exist due to the ongoing legacy of colonization. While conflict theory is my predominate trait I’m also conflicted with the concept of the “other”. On one hand I am hopeful that we as a human race could come to a place where there is