Statement for Critical Race Theory and Medieval(ism) Studies

We, the Executive Board of the International Society for the Study of Medievalism (ISSM), stand against those medievalists who see “critical race theory as a kind of religious set of beliefs” and would never consider critical race theory to be “an extraordinarily vindictive set of beliefs in many of the people involved,” as described in a recent article published in The Times. Critical Race Theory is rooted in factual data and logic, having nothing to do with any sort of belief system. It is a term coined by law professor Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw (U.C.L.A. School of Law and Columbia Law School). It is not a subversive set of ideas or a religious cult. Any attacks against the fundamental rights of all marginalized groups, including BIPOC and AAPI, both within and without academia are racist and therefore also inhumane and unprofessional. We reaffirm our commitment to creating a more inclusive, accessible, and anti-racist world for all.