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FROM THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT TO NOW: (RE) EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND BLACK FEMINIST THOUGHT
Scholarly Journal
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Abstract: The history of Black feminism is often cited as having emerged during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. On the same note, critical race theory is often reported as having originated during the 1970s with the efforts of legal scholars of color. However, a closer look at history reveals a contrasting story about the origin of Black feminism and critical race theory. This discovery stands at the beginning of points of "intersection" and "separation" revealed during an exploration of the historical and theoretical relationship between Black feminist thought and critical race theory. This paper provides important implications for researchers considering either Black feminist thought and/or critical race theories as possible theoretical frameworks for future research. Keywords: Black feminism; critical race theory; anti-slavery movement; Black women abolitionists In this paper, I examine the historical and theoretical relationship between Black feminist thought (BFT) and critical race theory (CRT). Both critical race theories and Black feminist theories are regarded as suitable theoretical frameworks or relevant bodies of knowledge for conducting research on behalf of people of color, more specifically Black people (Prasad, 2005). Yet, the purposes, tenets and practices of Black feminist thought and critical race theory have been taken up in distinct ways in the literature. My exploration of the relationship between Black feminist thought and critical race theory revealed multiple points where the two bodies of knowledge "intersect" and "separate." By "intersect," I mean the points where the two bodies of knowledge share commonalities. Likewise, "separate" indicates the points where the two bodies of knowledge expose their distinctions. Through points of intersection and separation, Black feminism and critical race theory establishes a parallel yet divergent relationship. The commonalities that lie between the two bodies of knowledge has even led to the construction of a critical race...