Read Online Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life Karen E Fields Barbara J Fields 9781781683132 Books
Download As PDF : Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life Karen E Fields Barbara J Fields 9781781683132 Books
Most people assume that racism grows from a perception of human difference the fact of race gives rise to the practice of racism. Sociologist Karen E. Fields and historian Barbara J. Fields argue otherwise the practice of racism produces the illusion of race, through what they call "racecraft." And this phenomenon is intimately entwined with other forms of inequality in American life. So pervasive are the devices of racecraft in American history, economic doctrine, politics, and everyday thinking that the presence of racecraft itself goes unnoticed.
That the promised post-racial age has not dawned, the authors argue, reflects the failure of Americans to develop a legitimate language for thinking about and discussing inequality. That failure should worry everyone who cares about democratic institutions.
Read Online Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life Karen E Fields Barbara J Fields 9781781683132 Books
"An important work. I found the argument a bit repetitive the framework of the discussion valuable. The writing style is largely conceptual and punctuated with personal stories from the author including hypothetical interactions among historical figures. It seemed light on detail. All in all a worthy contribution to the understanding of racism"
Product details
|
Tags : Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life [Karen E. Fields, Barbara J. Fields] on . Most people assume that racism grows from a perception of human difference the fact of race gives rise to the practice of racism. Sociologist Karen E. Fields and historian Barbara J. Fields argue otherwise the practice of racism produces the illusion of race,Karen E. Fields, Barbara J. Fields,Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life,Verso,1781683131,Physical anthropology - United States - History,Physical anthropology;United States;History.,Racism - United States - History,Racism in anthropology - United States - History,Racism in anthropology;United States;History.,Racism;United States;History.,Anthropology - Cultural Social,Discrimination Racism,GENERAL,General Adult,HISTORY / United States / General,History,Non-Fiction,POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Democracy,Physical anthropology,Political Ideologies - Democracy,Political Science/Political Ideologies - Democracy,RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS,Racism,Racism in anthropology,SOCIAL SCIENCE / Discrimination Race Relations,SOCIAL STRATIFICATION,Social Science,Social Science/Anthropology - Cultural Social,Social discrimination inequality,Sociology,United States,race; sociology; politics; civil rights; immigration; social justice; race relations; essays; political science; democracy; feminism; african american history; law; police brutality; world history; criminal justice; geopolitics; history books; history; political books; history of the world; world politics; white privilege; racism; gifts for history buffs; international politics; sociology books; history gifts; history buff gifts; political ideologies; history teacher gifts; civil rights books; history lovers gifts,sociology;civil rights;american history;law;social justice;race relations;political science;feminism;us history;african american history;immigration;government;political philosophy;world history;democracy;police brutality;criminal justice;geopolitics;history books;history;politics;political books;capital;world politics;american history books;international politics;white privilege;racism;sociology books;political ideologies;gifts for history buffs;history buff gifts;historical books;history gifts
Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life Karen E Fields Barbara J Fields 9781781683132 Books Reviews :
Racecraft The Soul of Inequality in American Life Karen E Fields Barbara J Fields 9781781683132 Books Reviews
- I'm a pretty big fan of this book. Racecraft has two central arguments. The first argument is that race and understandings of race operate in very similar ways to witchcraft. Meaning that race is used to explain different societal problems and historical events because it seems like a commonsense explanation. Second, the authors argue that race is often used as a stand-in for racism, which is at best a distraction, and at worst, a continuation of systemic racism. Both of these arguments and the "rhetoric" of racism are engaging topics and the authors do a great job of running their arguments through a variety of situations to support their argument. I can easily recommend this book, but suggest that readers take a look at the different chapter titles and read the ones that seem most interesting. The book is a series of new and revised articles, which can be both repetitive and, at times, disjointed. After reading the most interesting parts, it might be a good idea to go back and read skipped sections for additional nuggets of wisdom.
- Race and racism are two things which have had immeasurable influence in American history, yet we often take them for granted as acceptable social reality. The major insight here, which goes beyond the elementary "race as social construction," is that far from being irrational, the concept of race stems from the ways in which society sees itself as compared to others. It isn't limited to inborn differences, but also extends to invisible qualities, what we usually call stereotypes. The book is composed of several essays, written in different contexts, but united in theme. This includes a complete dismantling of traditional scientific bases for race, the complexities of Jim Crow, and an imagined conversation between Emile Durkheim and W. E. B. DuBois. Where it all comes together, as with many books, is the conclusion, which goes into how racecraft masks and diverts our attention from an inequality that is burned into American society. In this respect, it shares much with Ian Lopez's DOG WHISTLE POLITICS. With such a wide range of thought and approach, this book deserves to be widely read in order to change hearts and minds.
- Does skin color or our own moral deficiencies cause racism? The fabulous Fields sisters make a compelling argument that unless we begin to look at racism as a product of immoral behavior and not a direct product of skin color, we may never move past this plague.
- Every person in America should read this. Karen and Barbara Fields do a great job of trying to disabuse us (those on the left as much as on the right) to abandon our fascination with race in a manner that doesn't just "pretend" we live in a colorblind, post-racial society. Race is a totall debunked pseudo-scientific concept. Using an analogy with witchcraft (e.g., there are no such thing as witches, but as a social phenomenon, witchcraft was nevertheless "real" in the sense that there are concrete practices and behaviors around it). In this sense, then, race is a fiction, but racism is very much real. The concept of racecraft shifts focus from race as a kind of ontology, to racism as a kind of practice. Or as they put it, racecraft focuses attention from who African Americas are, to what racists do. Race is a product of racism, not vice versa. It's amazing, important work.
- Oh my! The intellect, the deep understanding and ability to transmit that understanding to the reader! The Fields's (is that even a word?) bring such intellectual and academic gifts to this work and lay bare the establishment and growth of RACE in American history. I have long loved their work, and this book shows why!
- The book confirms for me what I have long suspected. It is succinct, clear and thought-provoking. It shreds the ideology that says "We are not racist" rather well. Red it, share it with others, send it as a gift, give your public library a copy, etc. You know.
- An important work. I found the argument a bit repetitive the framework of the discussion valuable. The writing style is largely conceptual and punctuated with personal stories from the author including hypothetical interactions among historical figures. It seemed light on detail. All in all a worthy contribution to the understanding of racism
- This is the book anti racists need to read, not books such as 'white fragility' which make the same mistake that this book highlights as the underlying issue. But- anti racists just love to conjur race! While other books that help to purpetuate racism (in the name of anti racism no less!) Are far more well known, this book is one that holds the key to the solution. Ironic it is nowhere near as popular as books written by whites who believe self denegration is the key to social change. Nope.
