Critical Race Theory Conference Scheduled for April 5

The 2014 Critical Race Theory Conference will take place on April 5, 2014 at Yale Law School. Titled “Re-Envisioning Race in a ‘Post-Racial’ Era: New Approaches in Critical Race Theory,” the conference will examine the progress that has been made over the last 50 years as well as the challenges that are still pervasive in the country.

With the nation marking the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, conference organizers said there is much progress to celebrate but also cause for alarm.

The conference will specifically focus on complex issues such as the dangers of discretion in the criminal legal system and the policing of the sexual and reproductive rights of women of color. Conference participants will have the chance to explore how the lessons of critical race theory can be used to dismantle subtle and violent systems of oppression that continue to constrain the lives of people of color.

“Many law students of color are surprised to find that classmates and professors are reluctant to discuss how race and gender inequalities intersect with the legal principles they study in the classroom,” said conference organizer Trinity Brown ’15. “We are excited to bring together scholars, practitioners, and activists to engage on these issues at the conference. These are important conversations that are too often dismissed or overlooked.”

Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, will deliver the keynote address at the conference and Devon W. Carbado, Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law will give the endnote address.

The Critical Race Theory Conference is sponsored by the Zelia & Oscar Ruebhausen /Debevoise & Plimpton Fund at Yale Law School. It will consist of several panel discussions, including topics from “Resisting Post-Racialism,” to “Navigating Race in Institutions of Power.”

Those interested in supporting the conference can volunteer, host a conference attendee, or be a sponsor. For more information, visit the conference website.

Registration for the event is available here.