Words That Wound by Mari J. Matsuda, Charles R. Lawrence III, Richard Delgado, and Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, are legal scholars that draw from their own experiences with assaultive speech. With the use of critical race theory, and their own experiences with assaultive speech the authors critique the interpretation of the first amendment.
The first portion of the article discusses the outbreak of assaultive speech, and the extensiveness of negative implications towards the victims. “it is social practice that has gained a new strength in recent years. Incidents of hate speech and racial harassment are reported with increasing frequency and regularity,” (pg 1). The authors stated the use of assaultive speech had reached epidemic proportions …show more content…
Through the use of critical race theory the authors of Words That Wound provide a new analysis and perspective to assaultive speech. Critical race theory combines political struggles of equality, particularly race, with a legal perspective. “Critical race theory is grounded in the particulars of social reality that is defined by our experiences and the collective historical experiences…theorists embrace subjectivity of perspective and are avowedly political.” (pg 3). The theory originates from the late 1970s largely impart to the stalled civil rights movement. Many scholars and legal professionals at the time began to further racial justice through intellectually debate, and the use of other political …show more content…
“Critical race theory works towards the end of eliminating racial oppression as part of a broader goal of ending all forms of oppression.”(pg 7). Critical race theory is also an intersectional, and recognizes that sex and class also play a role in social inequalities. I find this aspect of intersectionality of critical race theory very appealing because it further applies the theory beyond racial equality, but to gender equality also. For example, Crenshaw examined the intersectionality of race and gender and found herself torn. She wanted to support a Black rap group from racist attack, but felt unable to defend them because this same rap group utilized derogatory speech and imagery of women. (pg 10) This recognition of racial injustice also being perpetuated from within their own culture adds a dimension of understanding in regards to the factors contributing to racial
The first portion of the article discusses the outbreak of assaultive speech, and the extensiveness of negative implications towards the victims. “it is social practice that has gained a new strength in recent years. Incidents of hate speech and racial harassment are reported with increasing frequency and regularity,” (pg 1). The authors stated the use of assaultive speech had reached epidemic proportions …show more content…
Through the use of critical race theory the authors of Words That Wound provide a new analysis and perspective to assaultive speech. Critical race theory combines political struggles of equality, particularly race, with a legal perspective. “Critical race theory is grounded in the particulars of social reality that is defined by our experiences and the collective historical experiences…theorists embrace subjectivity of perspective and are avowedly political.” (pg 3). The theory originates from the late 1970s largely impart to the stalled civil rights movement. Many scholars and legal professionals at the time began to further racial justice through intellectually debate, and the use of other political …show more content…
“Critical race theory works towards the end of eliminating racial oppression as part of a broader goal of ending all forms of oppression.”(pg 7). Critical race theory is also an intersectional, and recognizes that sex and class also play a role in social inequalities. I find this aspect of intersectionality of critical race theory very appealing because it further applies the theory beyond racial equality, but to gender equality also. For example, Crenshaw examined the intersectionality of race and gender and found herself torn. She wanted to support a Black rap group from racist attack, but felt unable to defend them because this same rap group utilized derogatory speech and imagery of women. (pg 10) This recognition of racial injustice also being perpetuated from within their own culture adds a dimension of understanding in regards to the factors contributing to racial