Hispanic Roots of Critical Race Theory: Richard Delgado

By Abigail Hollie

Critical race theory, or CRT, “critiques how the social construction of race and institutionalized racism perpetuate a racial caste system that relegates people of color to the bottom tiers. CRT also recognizes that race intersects with other identities, including sexuality, gender identity, and others” (ABA, 2021). From its beginning CRT was heavily debated, but until recently these conversations focused mostly on law and higher education. There are presently eighteen states with legislation or executive orders that “restrict teaching critical race theory or limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism,” and a majority of other states are proposing legislation to do the same (Whiteboard Advisors, 2023). Despite efforts since 2020 intended to restrict it (Black Past, 2021), the practice of CRT has been around for quite some time.

The origins of CRT can be found in the late nineteenth century in the principles of legal realism (Black Past, 2021). However, the first official publications about CRT came out in the late 1970s, written by Professors Derrick Bell and Alan David Freeman. In 1989, the phrase critical race theory was coined by Neil Gotanda, Stephanie Phillips, and Kimberlé Crenshaw (who also gifted us with the term intersectionality).

Richard Delgado served as a critical voice that acknowledged the Hispanic/Latinx perspective in CRT. Delgado, the son of a Mexican immigrant, distinguished himself as a prominent law professor who informed the foundations of CRT back in the 1980s. He has written dozens of books on CRT, injustice in the legal system, and much more. Learn more about the foundations of critical race theory and Richard Delgado through the resources below!

References: 

1. World Population Review. April 2023. “State Rankings - Critical Race Theory Ban States.”

2. Whiteboard Advisors. 2023. “State Outlook: Critical Race Theory in 2023.”

3. NBC News. Char Adams, Allan Smith, and Aadit Tambe. June 2021. “Map: See Which States Have Passed Critical Race Theory Bills.”

4. Black Past. Malik Simba. August 2021. “Critical Race Theory: A Brief History.”

5. American Bar Association (ABA). Janel George. January 2021. “A Lesson on Critical Race Theory.”

Additional Resources: 

1. AXIOS. Russell Contreras. December 2021. “A Critical Race Theory Founder Says He‘s Being Inundated with Threats.”

2. Books by Richard Delgado. Goodreads.

3. Seattle University School of Law Digital Commons. Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic. 2011. “Living History Interview with Richard Delgado & Jean Stefancic.”

4. Seattle University School of Law. Professor Richard Delgado. Faculty Directory.

5. Unidosus. Julissa Arce. August 2021. “What Is “Critical Race Theory,‘ and Why It Matters to Latinos.”