Critical Race Theory, Colson Whitehead

First, write a paragraph explaining why you chose this particular story out of the three. What drew you to it? How did you make your decision? What did you base your choice on?

• I decided to choose Colson Whitehead’s story because I think that Critical Race Theory is a very interesting topic, seeing as how it’s being portrayed and viewed in America. Many people believe that it’s a bad thing while having little to no knowledge of what it actually is and what purpose it serves. I’d also personally like to do more research into CRT myself so I can understand it and apply it to the world around me, and see it in different places and ways. I also enjoyed reading about Critical Race Theory in the previous readings and so I’d like to continue to develop new ideas and a brighter, stronger understanding of it. I’d also like to be able to educate those around me about topics and issues that affect my community, which are important to me. Critical Race Theory plays a major role in the lives of many African Americans such as myself, and through understanding it, only then can we develop stronger and newer ways to tackle the recurring racial issues in this country.

What is Colson Whitehead saying about racial relations within an institution such as education? 

• I believe that what Colson Whitehead is saying about racial relations within an institution such as education, is a clear and constant power struggle between the white and black students. “December Matches – the prelims within your dorms, and then the bout between the best black fighter and whatever chump the white guys put up” (Whitehead 2). This theme is shown continuously throughout the story, it even begins with all the Black kids supporting a bully because he is the one that will represent them in a match against the whites. This created the capacity for cruelty, fueled by racist ideology.

How does he express the capacity for cruelty, as bolstered by racist ideology? 

• Whitehead expresses the capacity for cruelty, which is fueled by racist ideology by setting the story in a boxing environment, where cruelty and violence is in a way accepted, and since there is a clear racial divide, the racism makes it worse. “The racial division of the school recreated itself in the gym, with the white boys taking the south half, and the black boys claiming the north. They jostled at the borders” (Whitehead 4). This shows not only the racist ideology, but the tension which leads purely as they bump and elbow each other. The racial tension is always present within the school, and the racial division is not only present in the school, but within the attitudes and actions of both students and teachers. From the way that the students talk, to the way that they group themselves, it is clear that the capacity for curly is only heightened by the fact that they choose to dislike each other because of race.