Race and Social Equity: A Nervous Area of Government

by Susan T. Gooden

In this compelling book the author contends that social equity--specifically racial equity--is a nervous area of government. Over the course of history, this nervousness has stifled many individuals and organizations, thus leading to an inability to seriously advance the reduction of racial inequities in government. The author asserts that until this nervousness is effectively managed, public administration social equity efforts designed to reduce racial inequities cannot realize their full potential.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2014

Reviews

[Mary Mccallister · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for the times...

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Gooden examines the history of racism in our society, and how racism, specifical institutional racism, is talked about, and addressed by public administrators. This book examines the history of race in America and the concept of nervousness people and organizations experience when talking about race, and how social equity in this nervous area of government explicitly affects the design and implementation of government programs. Situating government administrators at the critical nexus of where institutional racism and inequities are confirmed, Dr. Gooden provides a framework for current and future public administrators to embrace social equity in their office cultures, and their public policy programs, providing the tools and means to broaden and ensconce social equity policies within organization and the broader community. Dr. Gooden’s book is written for the public administrator in mind; however, this book can be of value to leaders in the private sector, and across all stratums of civil society.