Why the critical race theory concept of ‘White supremacy’ should not be dismissed by neo-Marxists

Lessons from contemporary Black radicalism

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12928993
AutoresSean Walton (0000-0002-0645-894X, autor correspondente)
Ano2019
Volume12
Fascículo1
Páginas78-94
Data de publicação2019-08-27
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPower and Education (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1757-7438 • E-ISSN: 1757-7438
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1757743819871316
OpenAlexW2921541470
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas9
Referências citadas25

Since entering the field of education studies, critical race theory has had an uneasy relationship with Marxism. One particular point of disagreement between Marxists and critical race theory scholars centres on the critical race theory concept of ‘White supremacy’. Some Marxist scholars suggest that, because of its reliance on ‘White supremacy’, critical race theory is unable to explain the prevalence of racism in Western, capitalist societies. These Marxists also argue that ‘White supremacy’ as understood within CRT is actively damaging to radical, emancipatory movements because the concept misrepresents the position of the White working class as the beneficiaries of racism, and in doing so, it alienates White workers from their Black counterparts. Some neo-Marxist thinkers have sought to replace the concept of ‘White supremacy’ with ‘racialisation’, a concept which is grounded in capitalist modes of production and has a historical, political and economic basis. Drawing on arguments from critical race theory, Marxism and Black radicalism, this paper argues that the critical race theory concept of ‘White supremacy’ is itself grounded in historical, political and economic reality and should not be dismissed by neo-Marxists. Incorporating ‘White supremacy’ into a neo-Marxist account of racism makes it more appealing to a broader (Black) radical audience

Critical race theory · Critical theory · Epistemology · Marxist philosophy · Political radicalism · Political science · Politics · Racism · Sociology · White (mutation · White supremacy · Critical and Liberation Pedagogy · Critical Race Theory in Education · Gender Studies · Law · Philosophy · Race, History, and American Society