This theory posits that advances in civil rights for marginalized groups only occur when it benefits the dominant group as well.
Critical Race Theory: The framework that Interest Convergence Theory is a part of.
Race and Racism: The social construct of race and how racism is perpetuated and maintained in society.
Critical Legal Studies: The movement that led to Critical Race Theory and its focus on the intersection of law and power.
Interest Convergence Theory: The idea that minorities gain rights when it is in the best interest of the dominant group.
Derrick Bell: The founder of Interest Convergence Theory and a pioneer in Critical Race Theory.
Brown v. Board of Education: The landmark Supreme Court case that struck down segregation in schools and served as an example of the application of Interest Convergence Theory.
Intersectionality: The idea that individuals have multiple identities that intersect and affect their experiences and oppression.
Whiteness and White Privilege: The systemic advantages that white individuals have in society and how it perpetuates racism.
Microaggressions: Small acts of discrimination that occur on a daily basis and contribute to systemic racism.
Colorblind Ideology: The belief that race should not be considered or acknowledged, which can lead to overlooking and perpetuating racism.
Systemic and Institutional Racism: How racism is normalized and perpetuated through social, economic, and political institutions.
Racial Inequity: The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power along racial lines.
Affirmative Action: Policies that aim to promote diversity and alleviate discrimination against historically marginalized groups.
Critical Race Feminism: The intersection of Critical Race Theory and Feminist Theory and their focus on the oppression of marginalized women of color.
Implicit Bias: Unconscious biases that affect our perception and treatment of others based on their race.
Restorative Justice: An alternative approach to criminal justice that aims to repair harm and restore relationships rather than punish and incarcerate.
Decolonization: The process of undoing the legacy of colonialism and its impact on the oppressed.
Cultural Hegemony: The dominant cultural values and beliefs that are enforced through media and education, contributing to the perpetuation of racism.
Environmental Racism: How marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards due to systemic racism.
Reparations: The idea of compensating those who have been historically marginalized and oppressed for the harm caused to them.
Legal Interest Convergence Theory: This theory argues that gains in civil rights for minority groups often only occur when they align with the self-interest of the legal establishment, such as lawyers or judges.
Symbolic Interest Convergence Theory: This theory argues that superficial gestures of racial progress, such as the election of a Black president or the inclusion of a diverse cast in a TV show, only occur when they serve the interests of the dominant group.
Economic Interest Convergence Theory: This theory argues that economic progress for minority groups only occurs when it is beneficial to the dominant group's economic interests.
Redemptive Interest Convergence Theory: This theory argues that progress toward racial equality only occurs when it helps to alleviate the guilt or conscience of the dominant group.
Political Interest Convergence Theory: This theory argues that progress toward racial equality only occurs when it serves the interests of the dominant group's political power.