crt

Cathode-ray tube (CRT) is an electronic display device that generates images by directing an electron beam toward a fluorescent phosphor-coated screen inside a sealed vacuum tube. The tube contains an electron gun that emits a stream of electrons, an anode to accelerate them, and a deflection system to steer the beam across the screen. In color CRTs, three electron guns and corresponding phosphor colors (red, green, blue) are used, and an illumination system produces the final image. The beam sweeps the screen in a raster pattern, typically updating at a vertical refresh rate of 50–60 Hz or higher in modern monitors. Phosphor persistence determines afterglow, contributing to perceived brightness and motion clarity. CRTs were the dominant technology in televisions and computer monitors from the mid-20th century until the 2000s, when LCD and plasma displays began to replace them. They are known for high contrast and deep blacks, but are bulky, heavy, energy-inefficient, and susceptible to geometric distortion and burn-in.

Critical race theory (CRT) is an academic framework that originated in legal studies in the United States during the late 20th century. It argues that racism is not only a matter of individual prejudice but is embedded in laws, policies, and institutions, producing and sustaining racial inequality. Core ideas include the notion of systemic racism, intersectionality, and the use of storytelling to illuminate marginalized perspectives, as well as the critique of liberal approaches that claim color-blind or purely formal equality suffices. Proponents see CRT as a tool for analyzing and reforming legal and social systems to address structural bias; critics argue that it overemphasizes race, is politicized, or attacks meritocracy. In practice, CRT has inspired scholarship across disciplines, including law, education, and public policy, while remaining contested in public discourse.

Context determines which CRT is being discussed.