Critical Race Theory, Identity, and Public Relations

To remain relevant in an ever-changing society, public relations needs to engage with the complexities of race and identity that shape the experiences of stakeholders, publics, and organizations. This chapter employs critical race theory (CRT) as a guiding framework to examine and expand theoretical connections between race and identity as well as their implications for public relations theory. CRT is an important consideration for public relations because it encourages a raw and lucid assessment of the symbolic and material realities that are associated with racial identities and that constitute race relations. In addition to exploring how CRT has inspired substantive research and theory building in public relations, the chapter also outlines three key directions for future research in the areas of corporate social responsibility, intersectionality, and race and identity.