Critical Race Theory is a discipline within critical social theory (rooted in Marx). It emerged from critical legal studies in the 1980s. The overarching worldview: society is defined by dominant group vs. oppressed group, and the goal is dismantling oppressive systems.

Critical theory originates with Karl Marx; the Frankfurt School (1930s-40s) expanded it from economics to culture. It has spawned disciplines: queer theory, critical pedagogy, critical race theory, critical legal studies. The worldview: society is divided into dominant and subordinate groups; dominant groups impose their ideology as normal/objective to justify their power; social justice = dismantling these systems so power is shared. CRT specifically grew from critical legal studies (1980s) — scholars questioning whether law was neutral or was a tool of white self-interest. Kimberlé Crenshaw coined "intersectionality" (~1989). By 1996, CRT entered education. Shenvi prefers "contemporary critical theory" for the broader worldview, with CRT as one discipline within it.