Examining Literature Through Tenets of Critical Race Theory: A Pedagogical Approach for the ELA Classroom

In this article, the authors present a qualitative study focused on preservice teachers employing a framework using tenets of critical race theory (CRT)—permanence of racism, experiential knowledge and counter-storytelling, interest convergence, and critique of liberalism—in literature study. Drawing on critical English education, critical race English education, and CRT, the proposed framework integrates key tenets of CRT with literature in classrooms. Our findings demonstrated engagement by preservice teachers in identification, analysis, and reflection of CRT tenets in texts. This framework has the potential to provide a tool for students and teachers in K-12 schools to connect tenets of CRT to their knowledge of society and race in the texts they read.