Chapter 1: Where Do We Go From Here?: Claiming a Transformative Role for CRT’s Future

A few months ago, my mother told this story to my nine-year-old son. His class had been studying the Civil Rights Movement in school and she told the story in response to him asking her what it was like to live during those times. My son’s response to hearing this story was “I’m glad they had people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ruby Bridges, and the Civil Rights Movement so we don’t have to be like that anymore.” As I eavesdropped on their conversation, I found myself silently echoing his sentiment. I have spent most of my professional career focusing on issues of race, gender, inequality, discrimination and subordination. Seeking to be one of those who helps develop the solutions whereby we finally become a more perfect union. I tend to be optimistic in nature, and I am perpetually hopeful at my core. As I listened to the conversation between by son and my mother, I found cause to reflect and be happy about the progress that has been made.