Critical Race Theory & race-based policy are at odds with what most South Africans want – IRR

May 18, 2021
18 May 2021 - The tenets of Critical Race Theory act as the “lynchpin” theory underpinning BEE policy, and in practice serve to silence the voices of most South Africans of all races, whose preferences accord with abandoning race-based policy.
Critical Race Theory & race-based policy are at odds with what most South Africans want – IRR

The tenets of Critical Race Theory act as the “lynchpin” theory underpinning BEE policy, and in practice serve to silence the voices of most South Africans of all races, whose preferences accord with abandoning race-based policy.

These are among key insights in the latest report from the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), Critical Race Theory & Race-Based Policy: A threat to Liberal Democracy. (Read the full report here: https://irr.org.za/reports/atLiberty/liberty-critical-race-theory-race-based-policy-a-threat-to-liberal-democracy). 

Among the questions addressed by the author, IRR head of policy research Dr Anthea Jeffery, are: What is Critical Race Theory? Where does it come from, who are its biggest proponents, and what influence does it have on life in South Africa?

Dr Jeffery’s report explores three core tenets of Critical Race Theory, namely that “racism is ordinary and ever-present”, “race is an artificial ‘social construct’ used by whites to perpetuate their domination” and “colour-blind policies and incremental change perpetuate racism”.

The report shows how these tenets act as the “lynchpin” of BEE policy in theory, and in practice serve to silence the voices of most South Africans, of all races, whose preferences accord with abandoning race-based policy.

The report analyzes hard evidence of what ordinary South Africans think, and demonstrates various ways in which this thinking substantially departs from Critical Race Theory’s core tenets.

The report further provides a robust argument for why, even with the best intentions, BEE as a practical implementation of Critical Race Theory can never work as intended. It describes the dramatic, pragmatic alternative of a needs-based policy framework that would not only stimulate economic growth but also bring the law back in line with what ordinary citizens want and respect.

The subject matter is complex, and worth interrogation. The arguments are based in hard facts spanning many years. Dr Jeffery will unpack this material in an online media briefing tomorrow at 10am, which will include a Q&A segment.

This report strikes to the very heart of the IRR’s mission, the promotion of non-racialism, of fact-based reasoning, of reason-based policy, and of responsible government in South Africa.

Join tomorrow’s 10am briefing at: https://bit.ly/3byiHXn

 
Media contacts: Gabriel Crouse, IRR Head of Campaigns – 082 510 0360; gabriel@irr.org.za
Dr Anthea Jeffery, IRR Head of Policy Research; ajj@sairr.org.za
Media enquiries: Michael Morris – 066 302 1968; michael@irr.org.za
Kelebogile Leepile – 079 051 0073; kelebogile@irr.org.za

Critical Race Theory & race-based policy are at odds with what most South Africans want – IRR

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