Conceptualizing the Use of Critical Race Theory as a Teaching Tool and Intervention Approach

Critical Race Theory can be a useful framework in helping to address the racial disparities and social injustices occurring in the United States. Embedding the framework in the social work curriculum is needed as it provides a method to broaden students’ knowledge of the racial and social injustice that remains pervasive in the country. It is imperative that social work educators help students to understand that although the country has made considerable strides in the quest for equality, racial injustices still exist. In this paper I postulate that social work education programs should give considerable attention to weaving the use of Critical Race Theory tools into the classroom to increase students’ knowledge of racial justice and anti-oppression.