Hebcrit: a new dimension of critical race theory

ABSTRACT

I believe that it is essential to identify a new facet of Critical Race Theory that specifically addresses the needs of the Jewish people. Often overlooked and ignored in multicultural, diversity, and ethnic studies, Jews continue to face specific concerns and obstacles in the both the United States and around the world. In this article, I outline the foundational structure of this new critical theory that investigates issues affecting Jewish people in American society. HebCrit (pronounced ‘heeb’) is rooted in Critical Race Theory, History, Social Psychology, Education, and Jewish Studies. This new theoretical framework provides a way to address the complicated positionality that many American Jews navigate on a daily basis.

KEYWORDS:

• critical race theory
• HebCrit
• antisemitism
• Jewish Americans

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Jewish spinning tops with a Hebrew letter on each side, used for game playing.

2 For the purpose of this article, Jews are identified as those who are perceived to be White due to their light skin tone. Often referred to as Ashkanazi Jews, they are of Eastern, Central, or Western European descent.