The Lure of Disempowerment: Reclaiming Agency in the Age of CRT

The Lure of Disempowerment examines how Critical Race Theory and related ideological frameworks can inadvertently lead people toward a state of disempowerment rather than liberation. Erec Smith and Matthew Abraham argue that the emphasis on systemic oppression, while identifying real problems, can paradoxically strip individuals of their sense of agency and capability.

The authors propose an alternative approach that reclaims individual and collective agency while still acknowledging the realities of racial injustice. Drawing on rhetorical theory, philosophy, and practical examples, they offer a path forward that empowers rather than victimizes, building on Smith’s earlier work on empowerment theory.