Ignorance of critical race theory predicts White Americans’ opposition to it

Abstract

AbstractAcknowledging systemic racism, a key tenet of Critical Race Theory (CRT), may be threatening to many Americans but it can also reduce racial biases. However, anti‐CRT legislation prohibits learning about racism, thus highlighting the mutually reinforcing relationship between systemic racism and the production of ignorance. We assessed White Americans’ knowledge about CRT through participant‐generated definitions (Study 1, N = 199) and via a true/false questionnaire (Study 2, N = 194), and its relation to opposition to CRT. Opposition to CRT was associated with a less accurate understanding of CRT, even when controlling for political orientation. Content analyses revealed that opponents of CRT deny anti‐Black racism, believe CRT harms Whites, and view discussing race as divisive. Based on these themes, we developed a meta‐cognitive corrective intervention in Study 3 (N = 289). Participants who received corrective feedback after taking a multiple‐choice test about CRT showed a larger decrease in their opposition to CRT than those in the control condition.