Resources on America’s Racial History
- “How I Shed My Skin”, by Jim Grimsley
An introspective memoir of experiencing the challenge of school integration in North Carolina in 1966, and the lessons slowly learned about bridging the gaps between whites and blacks. Explores change, fears, and triumphs from a white man’s perspective – making it still very pertinent today. - “Stamped from the Beginning”, by Ibram X. Kendi
A National Book Award winning history about the deep roots of American racism, and how it was spread. Well-researched, intellectually powerful, and moving. It upends old ideas regarding how racism has worked over the centuries and is still so powerful. - “Stony the Road”, by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
The story of Reconstruction’s steps forward, the white backlash, and the Jim Crow era – laid out by a master storyteller. Deeply looks at the racist images used to perpetuate white power in the late 1800s, how African-Americans resisted, persisted, and created opportunities as best they could. - “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States”, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
An unflinching, comprehensive history of the US from the perspective of Native Americans. The story we were never taught, written with clarity and directness. It reminds one of how Native peoples have persevered in the face of innumerable tragedies, and why they demand justice and sovereignty today. - “When Affirmative Action Was White”, by Ira Katznelson
This deeply researched book explains how much deep racial discrimination was in major parts of the New Deal and Fair Deal of the 1930s and 1940s. It puts debates of the last 50 years about affirmative action in a starkly different light. - “The New Jim Crow”, by Michelle Alexander
Considered one of the most influential books of this century, it explores mass incarceration and has had a powerful impact on discussions and actions re: judicial racism. A new preface is in the 10th anniversary edition of 2020. - “Just Mercy”, by Bryan Stevenson
The account of an idealistic, young black lawyer’s fight for justice for society’s marginalized who get wrongfully sentenced. Compassion, hope, inspiration, and gifted storytelling in one moving book that won many awards. The author founded and leads the Equal Justice Initiative, and its powerful work in Montgomery, AL and elsewhere. - “Occupied America”, by Rodolfo F. Acuna
A great introduction to Mexican American history, and that immigrant group’s political ascendancy. A textbook with timelines and concise but passionate writing, it is in its eighth edition. ¬¬ - “The Warmth of Other Suns”, by Isabel Wilkerson
Describes the 1915-1970 migration of black citizens from the South to cities in the North and West, and its widespread national effects. Written by a Pulitzer Prize author, and based partly on hundreds of interviews, it is an epic described as “mesmerizing“, “finely crafted“, and a history of “emotional and psychological depth“. - “Strangers from a Different Shore”, by Ronald Takaki
About Asian-Americans of many cultural backgrounds, this is part narrative history and part personal stories. It covers the 1850s to today in a moving way. The experience and challenges of each group are described separately, including the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Laotian Hmong people, Koreans, etc. – those who immigrated to the U.S., and some of their descendants. - “Reconstruction in America”, by the Equal Justice Initiative
A primer of 104 pages, it gives a potent overview of events from 1865 to 1876. Loaded with photos, quotes, and clear, unbiased text, it sheds much light on these pivotal years in the American South. Focuses especially on the acts of racial violence, and the precedents they set for many decades to come. - “Segregation in America”, by the Equal Justice Initiative
Here is the story of how the powerful segregation movement arose out of the Jim Crow era and dominated American politics and media through most of the 20th century. Another excellent EJ I primer (of 114 pages), this history is told with text, photos, and quotes. - “The Color of Law”, by Richard Rothstein
An in-depth, engrossing, and disturbing account of how governments at all levels created residential segregation in US cities. Described as “compassionate and scholarly“, it has had traction across the political spectrum. - “Caste”, by Isabel Wilkerson
This NYT bestseller explores how racial discrimination and oppression in the U.S. have served to maintain a caste system. In beautiful prose, the author assesses how such a system in the U.S. – as in India and Nazi Germany – has historically served the socioeconomic goals of the upper caste. Seen through this lens, the importance of skin color in the hierarchy of power takes on new meaning.
Resources About “Whiteness” Issues
- “So You Want to Talk About Race?”, by Ijeoma Oluo
An honest but compassionate book about how to have hard conversations regarding race, identity, power, and oppression. Themes of bravery, optimism and skill-building run through this user-friendly work. - “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together”, by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Revised in 2017, this classic on racial division in schools – and the nation generally – was written by a black psychologist. It sensitively offers insights about our racial barriers, and how to breach them, particularly in schools. - “Biased”, by Jennifer L. Eberhardt
This is a compelling, non-academic look at the science behind “implicit bias“, and how it generates prejudices that harm us all – in schools, businesses, police departments, etc. Derived from the author’s broad experience with individuals and institutions, strategies are laid out for how to undo many common biases. - “Waking Up White”, by Debby Irving
The moving personal saga of a white woman who has an “ah-ha” moment and then, step-by-step, learns a great deal about racism, white privilege, and how she was raised to stay “asleep“. Her insights have wide applicability for many white Americans. - “Citizen”, by Claudia Rankine
Part poem, part essay, and part visual images, this probing and slender book explores the anatomy of 21st century racism. The black author/poet assesses the complex issues of “civic belonging” versus “citizenship“, and what creates the former. This book has gotten rave reviews from many readers. - “White Like Me”, by Tim Wise
The subtitle “Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son” gives the basic concept here, but the author (and activist) takes on white privilege with brilliance, courage, and clarity. He also lays out ways that whites can challenge their upbringing and blind spots, to help America achieve greater national well-being. - “Understanding White Privilege”, by Frances Kendall
By a diversity trainer with 30 years of experience, this book offers insights into how race, power, and privilege create barriers to authentic cross-race relationships, and gives practical approaches for breaking down those walls. - “White Fragility”, by Robin DeAngelo
A very widely read book on doing hard self-assessments, it highlights the counterproductive reactions white people sometimes have when challenged on racial topics. The author contends these reactions are designed to maintain racial inequality. A rich debate about her thesis is now underway, helping America grapple with issues around individual responsibility, choice, commitment, and accountability (vs. blame). - “How to be an Anti-racist”, by Ibram X. Kendi
A short (126 pages), practical, understandable guide to dealing with many elements of racism. Situations and issues addressed include the workplace, friendships, mental health effects, and many more. A very good introductory work and overview of concrete steps we can take, this has been widely read in 2020.