Racism, Not Race: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The science on race is clear: common categories like "Black," "white," and "Asian" do not represent genetic differences among groups. However, race is significant in the day-to-day lives of racialized people, leading to inequalities in health, wealth, and other life outcomes. This book by Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman tackles common misconceptions about race, human biology, and racism, using an accessible question-and-answer format to dismantle the myth of gene-based racial difference. It demonstrates that the ideology of racism created races and shows why the inequalities ascribed to race are caused by racism. The book provides persuasive and timely answers to key questions about race and racism for a moment when people of all backgrounds are striving for social justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The science on race is unequivocal: common categories such as "Black," "white," and "Asian" do not accurately reflect genetic differences among groups. However, despite its apparent lack of basis in natural science, race holds a significant impact on the daily lives of individuals who are racialized across the globe. The disparities in health, wealth, and various other life outcomes cannot be fully understood without referencing "race," but their true root lies in racism.

In order to combat racism and unlock the full potential of humanity, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the pseudoscience of race. In this book, two distinguished scientists, Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman, address prevalent misconceptions about race, human biology, and racism. Through an accessible question-and-answer format, they elucidate the distinctions between social and biological notions of race, highlighting the fact that while there exist meaningful human genetic variations, they do not align with socially constructed racial categories.

Drawing on evidence from both natural and social science, Graves and Goodman dismantle the harmful myth of gene-based racial difference. They demonstrate that the ideology of racism itself created races and expose the underlying causes of the inequalities often attributed to race, which are in fact perpetuated by racism.

Graves and Goodman offer compelling and timely responses to critical questions about race and racism, particularly in a time when people from diverse backgrounds are actively striving for social justice. Racism, Not Race provides readers with a compelling argument for why antiracist principles are not only morally righteous but also firmly supported by sound scientific evidence.

By delving into the complexities of race and racism, this book empowers individuals to challenge harmful stereotypes, promote empathy, and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 166 x 244 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231200660