4: Critical Race Theory, Black Feminism, and Intersectionality

Aligned with postmodernist thought, Critical Race Theory (CRT) challenges the notions of objective reality, universal truth, and human nature (Hayman, 1995). This chapter reviews the tenets of CRT, its origins in Black feminism, and the concept of intersectionality. The vignette shows the degree of resistance the ideas continue to generate. There would be no intersectionality without CRT and no CRT without Black feminism. In this chapter, we focus on the contributions of Black feminists to CRT and intersectionality. These contributions are relatively new in psychology but fundamental to understanding White supremacy and social location.

The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor in 2020 by current or former police officers contributed to an increase in public support for Black Lives Matter (Nguyen et al., 2022). The resulting focus in schools on diversity, equity, and inclusion led to a conservative backlash in the name of parents' rights (Graff & Korolczuk, 2022, p. 212). Several US states have banned teaching CRT in classrooms, and several more are in the process. For many students, this means their education will not include the topics and issues associated with racism, gender identity, and sexuality (Ray & Gibbons, 2021).