Recognizing Race and Ethnicity: Power, Privilege, and Inequality

by Kathleen J. Fitzgerald

Despite radical changes over the last century, race remains a central organizing principle in U.S. society, a key arena of inequality, and the subject of ongoing conflict and debate. In a refreshing new introduction to the sociology of race, Recognizing Race and Ethnicity encourages students to think differently by challenging the notion that we are, or should even aspire to be, color-blind.

In this text, Kathleen Fitzgerald considers how the continuing significance of race manifests in both significant and obscure ways by looking across all racial/ethnic groups within the socio-historical context of institutions and arenas, rather than discussing each group by group. Incorporating recent research and contemporary theoretical perspectives, she guides students to examine racial ideologies and identities as well as structural racism; at the same time, she covers topics like popular culture, sports, and interracial relationships that will keep students engaged. Recognizing Race and Ethnicity provides unparalled coverage of white privilege while remaining careful to not treat "white" as the norm against which all other groups are defined.

Recognizing Race and Ethnicity makes it clear that, in a time when race and racism are constantly evolving in response to varied social contexts, societal demands, and political climates, we all must learn to recognize race if we are to get beyond it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

552 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2014

Reviews

[India Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! This book is clear and easy to read while still teaching and explaining essential and helpful terms. This book is a very good introduction to sociology as it relates to race and ethnic minorities and beyond. This book acted as a very good foundation for more advanced readings and definitely helped me to better understand and analyze racism in all of its facets from a historical context.