CRT2

The civil rights era was not only a period of political revolution but of profound cultural revolution. Led by Black artists radicalized by the political and social realities of the time – the segregation, disenfranchisement and racial violence that was Jim Crow – the cultural revolution both represented the Black experience and imagined a future freed. Black artists did this, despite facing censorship and threats of violence for the political nature of their work.

In this episode, we use critical race theory to situate three pieces of art in the civil rights tradition: Sam Cooke’s 1963 song, A Change is Gonna Come; Faith Ringgold’s 1971 painting, For the Women’s House; and, William Eric Water’s 2000 poem, “Even a Black Poet is Considered Armed and Extremely Dangerous”. We ask what are the civil rights legacies of these pieces and the artists that created them and what kinds of resistance did they meet and why?

Following one of the largest mass public demonstrations in U.S. history, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, ending legalized segregation and marking a significant step toward racial equality. While the movement triumphed, its leaders were keenly aware of its imperfections and the challenges that lay ahead, yet believed the door had opened to…

With the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, great change was promised. 60 years on, that promise remains an empty one for millions of americans. While Voting rights and the integrity of American elections have been a constant and exhausting part of the national dialogue in recent years, few of these debates have…

This episode reflects on the 60th anniversary of pivotal Civil Rights Acts, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which reshaped America's racial and immigration landscape. We examine the profound intersection of race, immigration, and the American legal system, exploring how these laws opened new opportunities and perpetuated systemic inequalities. 

From the passage of landmark legislation in the 1960s to the ongoing struggle for racial equity today, we ask: How did we get to this point? How have the legacies of these laws continued to affect marginalized communities, especially immigrants of color? And can the framework of Critical Race Theory—challenging structural racism and advocating for policy change—offer a path forward in the fight for justice and equality? Join us as we navigate the complex history and evolving discourse on race and immigration in America.

In 2016, students at five schools in Detroit sued the state government for failing to provide them with even the most basic public education. Their teachers were overworked, their school buildings were falling apart, and students frequently lacked the resources to achieve reading and writing proficiency. Their complaint asserted that they were being denied a basic right: the right to literacy. 

In this episode, we examine the concept of a right to literacy. Why is it important to democracy, and why is it indispensable for success in the American economy? How does it intersect with race and incarceration? And in the aftermath of the students’ lawsuit, where does the right to literacy go from here? Our guests – including the lead plaintiff on the lawsuit, an attorney on the lawsuit, and educators who have worked both inside and outside of prison – will help us find the answers.

In this episode, we navigate the complex landscape of digital literacy and the systematic surveillance of people of color. We unravel the layers of bias ingrained in our technological systems. Focusing on the #NoTechForICE campaign as a poignant example, we engage with a panel of experts who bring their insights into the realms of data,…

“It takes people knowing about what happened and galvanizing communities and bringing people together to fight for policy change that would allow for land to be returned.”  – Kavon Ward This episode of CRT2 takes a look at eminent domain under the Fifth Amendment “Takings Clause,” and the way it has been used to disproportionately…

What does a society which celebrates, rather than one that alienates, incarcerates and pathologizes disability look like? How do we break free from the chains of ableism and racism, and centre our politics around the idea that all bodies are special, and all bodies have their own specific needs that must be met? What does…

White collar crimes and the federal prison sentences that often accompany them have become mythologized and white-washed in American society. The “country club” myth of federal prisons has proliferated in the wake of prominent financial scandals like those of Bernie Madoff and Martha Stewart. But this characterization of federal white collar crime erases the very…

In this episode of CRT2, we discuss state attempts to regulate marijuana commerce while taking account of equity considerations. On March 31, 2021 the consumption of marijuana in New York State was formally legalized through the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). Bill De Blasio, who at the time was serving as…