Critical Race Theory

Its Origins, History, and Importance to the Discourses and Rhetorics of Race

Authors

  • Aja Y. Martinez Binghamton University, SUNY

Abstract

Critical Race Theory (CRT) originated in US law schools, bringing together issues of power, race, and racism to address the liberal notion of color blindness, and argues that ignoring racial difference maintains and perpetuates the status quo with its deeply institutionalized injustices to racial minorities. This essay introduces CRT as a theoretical frame by which to better understand discourses of race and racism in contemporary color blind and supposed post-racial societies. This work is situated within rhetorical studies so as to trace connections between CRT scholarship and literatures in anti-racist rhetoric that seek to understand, challenge, and dismantle systems of racism.

Author Biography

  • Aja Y. Martinez, Binghamton University, SUNY

    Aja Y. Martinez is Assistant Professor of English at Binghamton University, SUNY in New York. Her scholarship focuses on the rhetoric of racism and its effects on marginalized peoples in institutional spaces. Her efforts as teacher/scholar strive towards increasing access, retention, and participation of diverse groups in higher education.

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Published

2026-05-04

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2014): Racism in the Netherlands

Section

Main Section

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Martinez, A. Y. (2026). Critical Race Theory: Its Origins, History, and Importance to the Discourses and Rhetorics of Race. FRAME, Journal of Literary Studies, 27(2), 9-27. https://platform.openjournals.nl/FRAME/article/view/27396