Critical Race Theory （CRT） is an academic framework that examines how race and racism intersect with law, society, and power structures. It originated in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s as legal scholars sought to understand why racial inequality persisted despite civil rights legislation.
In the context of Indian local products, CRT can provide insights into how traditional crafts and goods are valued and marketed. For example, handloom textiles from regions like Varanasi or Kanchipuram often carry cultural significance tied to specific communities. A CRT analysis might explore how the economic valuation of these products relates to the racial and caste identities of the artisans who create them.
Similarly, agricultural products such as Darjeeling tea or Alphonso mangoes are often associated with particular geographic regions and the communities that cultivate them. CRT could examine how these associations influence market perceptions, pricing, and the distribution of benefits along supply chains.
Traditional Indian products like Ayurvedic medicines, handicrafts, and regional cuisines also reflect complex social histories. CRT helps uncover how race, caste, and colonialism have shaped the production, consumption, and international trade of these goods. |
