Critical race theory says that the assumption of neutrality in the study of the legal system is inappropriate. The system reflects the perceptions and assumptions of those in who power who both make and enforce the rules and the laws. To counter this, critical race theory insists that a different methodological approach to the analysis of law and the legal and social system must be used. Storytelling, or narrative. Relating personal accounts of actual experiences, and then basing the analysis on what has been learned from these personal experiences.
Personal experience is a valid way of knowing.
Often, for those who have been silenced, telling of their personal experiences is a way of ending that silence, of our coming to see and hear the pain of their oppression, and a way of bringing their validity claims to the discourse table. For further references on hearing the voice of those who have been silenced, consider Paolo Freire's culture of silence, and the silence imposed on women. On this see Catharine MacKinnon on her methodology. See also Shulamit Rheinhart on feminist methodology. Journal at Duke University.