h r T a T p s i e
T h e r a p i s T
h r p a T a m i c s
p h a r m a c i s T
c l p a T i t i A s
c a p i T A l i s t
c s r a T i
HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY
LANCE GABRIEL ADRA
MELC 1:
Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts,
applying a reading approach, and doing an adaptation of these,
require from the learner the ability to:
a) Identify representatives from Asia, North America, Europe, Latin
America, and Africa.
WHAT IS RACE?
In Racism as a Literary Theory
RACE IS...
A social construct, not a
biological reality.
Categories of race are invented,
manipulated, or retired by society
depending on cultural and
historical needs.
What is racism?
A system of belief and Can be overt (e.g., racial
practice that oppresses or slurs, segregation) or
discriminates against subtle (hidden biases,
people based on race. stereotypes, systemic
inequalities).
WHAT is racism?
A reading approach that analyzes how race
and racism appear in literature and culture.
Goes beyond identifying racialized
characters; it examines socio-cultural forces
that shape perception and representation.
Helps readers see how literature reflects,
resists, or sustains racial inequality.
WHy is it so important?
Trains learners to critically analyze
texts and society.
Develops awareness of racism in
daily life.
Encourages empathy, equality,
and the fight against
discrimination.
HOW DO WE APPLY RACISM AS
A LITERARY THEORY INTO
LITERATURE?
CRT
Via
(or Critical Race Theory)
What is CRT?
A theoretical approach In literature, it asks how
that examines how race racial identity,
and racism are deeply stereotypes, and systems
embedded in culture, law, of power are represented
and society. in texts.
The 6 core tenets of CRT
• Ordinariness of Racism
• Interest Convergence
• Social Construction of Race
• Differential Racialization
• Intersectionality &
Antiessentialism
• Unique Voice of Color
Ordinariness of Racism
Racism is ordinary, present in everyday interactions,
laws, and institutions.
It is often overlooked or normalized, making it hard to
challenge unless it is extreme or violent.
Because it blends into daily life, people may deny its
existence or underestimate its effects.
Literature often reflects this by showing how
characters of marginalized races experience
constant but normalized discrimination.
Interest Convergence
Progress for minorities only occurs when it also
benefits the dominant group.
Laws or reforms that appear progressive may hide
the self-interest of elites.
Example: Civil rights legislation partly served
America’s Cold War image, not just justice.
In literature, this lens helps us question whether
“victories” for minority characters are genuine or
shaped by outside convenience and interests.
Social Construction of Race
Race is not biological or scientific; it is a social invention created to
categorize people for power and control.
The meaning of “race” changes over time depending on historical and
social contexts. For example, groups once excluded (like the Irish or
Italians in the U.S.) were later accepted as “white.”
This shows how societies assign meaning to skin color, language, or
culture for their own purposes, not based on objective truth.
In literature, this explains why racial identities of characters can be
constructed, challenged, or reshaped depending on the story’s setting
and cultural forces.
DIfferential Racialization
Society assigns different stereotypes to different groups at
different times.
These shifting labels serve economic, political, or cultural needs.
Example: Asians portrayed as “model minorities” while Blacks are
criminalized.
In literature, it can be seen in how certain racial groups are
portrayed differently across time, sometimes exoticized, other
times criminalized.
Intersectionality
01 02 03
People experience A single identity cannot Recognizes complex
oppression in multiple, explain someone’s full identities rather than
overlapping ways (e.g., race experience of one-dimensional categories.
+ gender + class). discrimination.
Antiessentialism
Rejects the belief in a fixed identity for racial or cultural groups.
Acknowledges diverse experiences within the same race or
ethnicity.
Avoids stereotypes by recognizing individuality
In literature, this encourages analysis of characters with complex
identities, not one-dimensional stereotypes.
Unique Voice of Color
People of color have special insight and authority
because of their lived experiences with racism.
These experiences allow them to share truths that
others, especially those from privileged groups, may
not fully understand.
In literature, the writings and testimonies of minority
authors are powerful because they express
perspectives often silenced or ignored.
This tenet encourages valuing stories from
marginalized voices as essential to understanding
race and society.
How to apply racism
as literary theory?
We ask the questions:
How are racial groups portrayed?
Are stereotypes present or
challenged?
Who has the power to speak, and
who is silenced?
How do historical events
(colonialism, slavery, segregation)
shape the text?
What tenet of CRT can explain
the situation in the story?
Importance:
Provide a framework for analyzing racism in texts,
culture, and history.
Train us to recognize hidden power dynamics in
society.
Give importance to marginalized voices and
experiences.
Connect literature to real-world issues of
inequality and justice.
Column A – Column b –
1. Ordinariness of Racism A. Race is not biological but created by society
Concepts Descriptions
for its own purposes.
2. Interest Convergence
B. Racism is not unusual but part of everyday
life, often overlooked or normalized.
3. Social Construction of Race
C. People of color have special insight and
4. Differential Racialization authority to share truths about racism.
5. Intersectionality & D. Different groups are stereotyped in different
ways depending on society’s needs.
Antiessentialism E. No one has a single fixed identity;
overlapping identities shape unique
6. Unique Voice of Color experiences.
Answers:
1-B
2-F
3-A
4-D
5-E
6-C
THAT IS
ALL,
THANK