WITHDRAWN: We Don't Lead with Research; We Lead with Community: Applying Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality to Social Work Research

Developed by Black and Brown scholars, Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality (CRT/I) are complementary theories that interrogate power and privilege by examining how racism and oppression are enacted both interpersonally and systemically (Bell, 1995; Delgado & Stefancic, 2017; Crenshaw, 2017). CRT/I provide frameworks for analyzing historical and contemporary social and political movements, such as HIV/AIDS activism, Movement For Black Lives, and LGBTQ rights. In Social Work, analyses of power, social structures and their impact on the wellness of communities have been guided by CRT/I (Mattson, 2014; Mehrotra, 2010). CRT/I have also been critiqued from the lens of white supremacy as being too ambiguous or unapplicable to traditional rigorous research methods (Litowitz, 1996). However, the utilization of CRT/I uncovers potential opportunities for social and structural interventions to enhance the overall wellness of Black, Brown, Indigenous, queer, and trans communities who experience health inequities (e.g. HIV/AIDS) disproportionately due to compounding traumas related to systemic oppression (i.e., racism, hetersosexism/homophobia, cissexism/transphobia).

While there has been a recent emergence of Social Work scholarship informed by CRT/I, the practical application of these theories have yet to be explored in the context of Social Work and HIV/AIDS research. Most notably, there remain gaps in understanding the history, utility, and application of CRT/I. Social Work is well positioned to advance anti-racist scholarship by drawing from community wisdom and CRT/I frameworks to inform research practices. This workshop includes a panel of scholars and activists who aim to advance community-based CRT/I informed research methods. The panel will share reflections and strategies on how CRT/I can be actively and intentionally applied across all phases of research from experiences at a funding and capacity building center that partners with Community-Based Organizations led by or serving communities disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in the Southern US.

During this 90-minute session, panelists will: 1) outline and describe the tenets of CRT/I; 2) discuss the importance of centering and elevating community as integral to advancing anti-racist research; 3) reflect on how to prioritize community-led research goals; 4) identify strategies for Social Work scholars to apply CRT/I across research phases; and 5) discuss practical applications of CRT/I to Social Work research in the areas of mental health, trauma-informed care, harm reduction approaches and wellnes in the context of HIV/AIDS.

References:

Bell, D. A. (1995). Who's afraid of critical race theory. U. Ill. L. Rev., 893.

Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2017). Critical race theory: An introduction (Vol. 20). NyU press.

Crenshaw, K. W. (2017). On intersectionality: Essential writings. The New Press.

Litowitz, D. E. (1996). Some critical thoughts on critical race theory. Notre Dame L. Rev., 72, 503.

Mattsson, T. (2014). Intersectionality as a useful tool: Anti-oppressive social work and critical reflection. Affilia, 29(1), 8-17.

Mehrotra, G. (2010). Toward a continuum of intersectionality theorizing for feminist social work scholarship. Affilia, 25(4), 417-430.