Jelani Cobb was watching the news one day when he heard a right-wing figure blatantly lie about Critical Race Theory (CRT). And as it’s become a widely discussed theory in the last year, Jelani knew he had to do his part to preserve the work and legacy of its creator, Derek Bell. Jelani is a Columbia Journalism professor, New Yorker columnist, and author of the book “The Matter of Black Lives,” and in his latest piece for the New Yorker, he details the life and work of the incredible Derek Bell, who begged the question: if the activism and anti-racist work that has been done was so momentous at its time, why are people of color still experiencing the same problems? In today’s episode, Jelani addresses the misinformation that threatens Critical Race Theory while diving into Derek Bell’s legacy as a man who practiced what he preached in every sense of the word, walking away from prestigious professional appointments as a stand against the racial injustices he witnessed and refused to be a party to.

READ Jelani’s piece here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/09/20/the-man-behind-critical-race-theory

Executive Producer: Adell Coleman

Producer: Brittany Temple

Distributor: DCP Entertainment

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