Critical Race Feminism

Critical race feminism (CRF) refers to a multidisciplinary theory developed to highlight and address the legal concerns of women of color (i.e., women of African, Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern, and Native American descent). CRF takes into consideration the intersections of race, class, and gender in understanding the experiences of women of color, thus attending to the unique needs of this population. This theory has contributed to an increased attention in certain fields, including education, psychology, criminology, and law, to the plight of women of color. This entry defines CRF, briefly describes the theories from which CRF originates, emphasizes Black feminism as key to the development of CRF, and finally provides a summary of CRF’s tenets.