Under a Critical Race Theory Lens -- Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy

Authors

Carlo A. Pedrioli, Barry University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2005

Abstract

This critical book review argues that James T. Patterson’s narrative in, "Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy," is a mostly balanced historical reflection. Here, the term balanced will refer to giving consideration to both the negative and positive aspects of the phenomenon in question. To advance its thesis, the book review initially offers an overview of Patterson’s historical narrative and evaluation of the Brown legacy. Then the book review analyzes Patterson’s conclusions through a Critical Race Theory lens. Given the focus of Critical Race Theory on race and the law, especially on how institutions perpetuate racism against social outsiders through the law, Critical Race Theory is an appropriate and valuable lens for considering matters that receive attention in Patterson’s book.

Recommended Citation

Carlo A. Pedrioli, Under a Critical Race Theory Lens -- Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy, 7 AFR. AM. L. & POL'Y REP. 93 (2005)