The work focuses on race and racism in America. In particular, Bonilla-Silva zeros in on what he calls, “colorblind racism,” (aka nice racism, smiling racism, etc). Though this term may seem contradictory (how can one be color-blind and racist?), the author argues racism is not an individual issue, but instead a structural one. Per the author, colorblind racism can manifest in a wide variety of ways, from differences in policing and educational opportunities to who white people keep as friends and how they talk about race.
The work also offers hypotheses regarding the potential future of race in America, suggesting that we are moving toward a “minority majority,” and a three-pronged racial system as is sometimes seen in Latin America (with whites at the top and the black milieu at the bottom, but also a group of “honorary whites,” in the middle). In its closing chapters, Bonilla-Silva delves into the Obama presidency, the beginnings of 45’s presidency, and what can be done about racism in America. If you’re curious, he advocates for anti-racist social movements.
What I Liked About The Work:
- It is clear to see that this work is carefully considered and exhaustively researched
- I agreed with Bonilla-Silva’s analysis of Obama as “right-of-center,” with a dubious-at-best human rights record (e.g. the marked increase in drone killings, the “kill lists,” increased surveillance, the reclassification of civilians as “enemy combatants,” etc etc).
- I appreciate the Bonilla-Silva offers next steps for those who have read his book and emphasizes that it is not enough to be, “not racist.” Instead, he argues that the goal is be “anti-racist,” by working to both break out of and break down the racialized systems at the heart of this country.
What I Struggled With:
- Some of the works cited are decades old. I understand that the book was first published in 2003, but this is the updated 5th edition (2017). Perhaps this is addressed in the 6th edition (released in 2021)?
- The author refers to one of the interviewees cited as both transsexual and transvestite. The individual does not self-identify as either in the text. This doesn’t invalidate the wealth of research and data provided to bolster Bonilla-Silva’s points, but this terminology (and particularly the use of transvestite) did bother me.
- The citations, prevalent though they are, are difficult to interact with in the audiobook version, and the interview formatting (e.g. when there is a long pause, when an interviewee emphasized something, etc) described by the author is often lost.
- (nitpick) The section markers weren’t especially clear in the audiobook; the book was really only broken up by chapter
- (nitpick) Sean Crisden, the narrator, is pretty flat in his delivery. I get that this is a textbook, but it doesn’t make the text any easier to digest. Also, given some of the gut-wrenching things discussed in this book (such as police brutality and the violence of the state against people of color), I found the (seemingly) detached reading a touch unnerving at times.
Conclusion:
This book is a deep exploration of the ways racism affects the United States on a pervasive, systemic level. It is extensively researched and analyzes decades worth of American history (from the “Jim Crow Era” / American Apartheid to 45’s presidency). It can also be an incredibly dense, academic work. For anyone expecting personal narrative over academic discourse, you may struggle. (Bonilla-Silva does get personal in the last chapter when providing “next steps,” but that is the exception rather than the rule.) With that said, if you get through this book you are sure to come away with a better understanding of the state of race and racism in America today.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy…
- “Dispatches from the Race War,” by Tim Wise
- “We Should All Be Feminists,” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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