Racism

Racism has a long history and continues to have devastating impacts, sparking heated debate and social movements. This primer provides an introduction to the study and confrontation of racism in the twenty-first century, drawing on insights from sociology and other social sciences. It explores the modernity of racism, its creation through colonialism, racial capitalism, and pseudoscientific thinking, and the intersectional, structural, institutional, and systemic nature of racism. It also investigates how the self and subjectivity contribute to the reproduction of racism and considers anti-racist social movements and how racism has been challenged.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Racism, a deeply rooted and enduring phenomenon, has left a profound and devastating impact on society throughout history. Its pervasive effects continue to ignite intense moral, political, and social debates, leading to widespread protests and social movements. In this comprehensive primer, we delve into the study and confrontation of racism in the twenty-first century, drawing upon key insights from sociology and other social sciences.

Drawing from a diverse array of scholars, including those from the radical black tradition and the Global South, this book explores fundamental issues in racism studies. It provides a historical context, tracing the origins of racism to European colonialism, imperialism, racial capitalism, and the development of racist hierarchies fueled by colonialist exploitation, pseudoscientific beliefs, and Enlightenment thinking centered on white supremacy. The author also delves into the intersectional, structural, institutional, and systemic nature of racism, highlighting the interconnectedness between race, racism, and nationalism, particularly in the rise of right-wing nationalist populism worldwide.

The book further examines how the self and subjectivity play a crucial role in perpetuating racism and contribute to its systemic reproduction. It explores the ways in which individuals internalize racial biases and stereotypes, perpetuating discrimination and prejudice. Additionally, the book considers whether new cultural forms of racism, such as color-blind racism, post-racial racism, and racism without racists, exist, and explores how we can account for these forms of racism while avoiding the perpetuation of the category of race as a "natural organiser of people, groups, and identities."

Crucially, the book examines anti-racist social movements, such as Black Lives Matter, and the ways in which they have challenged and dismantled racism. It explores the strategies and tactics employed by these movements and discusses how accounts of race and racism can be provided without perpetuating the category of race as a "natural organiser of people, groups, and identities."

This book is designed to appeal to a broad audience, including general readers and students in the humanities and social sciences. It offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the study of racism, providing valuable insights and perspectives for those seeking to understand and combat this pervasive social issue.

Weight: 218g
Dimension: 163 x 197 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032212968