Race is, and always has been, an explosive issue in the United States. In this timely new book, Tim Wise explores how Barack Obama’s emergence as a political force is taking the race debate to new levels. According to Wise, for many white people, Obama’s rise signifies the end of racism as a pervasive social force; they point to Obama not only as a validation of the American ideology that anyone can make it if they work hard, but also as an example of how institutional barriers against people of color have all but vanished. But is this true? And does a reinforced white belief in color-blind meritocracy potentially make it harder to address ongoing institutional racism? After all, in housing, employment, the justice system, and education, the evidence is clear: white privilege and discrimination against people of color are still operative and actively thwarting opportunities, despite the success of individuals like Obama.
Is black success making it harder for whites to see the problem of racism, thereby further straining race relations, or will it challenge anti-black stereotypes to such an extent that racism will diminish and race relations improve? Will blacks in power continue to be seen as an “exception” in white eyes? Is Obama “acceptable” because he seems “different from most blacks,” who are still viewed too often as the dangerous and inferior “other”?
Tim Wise is among the most prominent antiracist writers and activists in the US and has appeared on ABC's 20/20 and MSNBC Live. His previous books include Speaking Treason Fluently and White Like Me.
Between Barack and a Hard Place is an accurate, timely, much-needed scathing analysis of the current state of racism in the United States. As many Americans are being lulled into believing that racism has been eradicated by the election of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama.
Through use of many contemporary and historical examples, Wise illustrates how the dominant narrative of racial equality being achieved with this election is being crafted and perpetuated, and what it might mean for racism in our society.
Anyone who believes in fighting for social justice and equality needs to read this book. It's a pointed read at only 150 pages, but it's incredibly thorough and concise.
Fantastic Book! It echoed many of things I was thinking and the frustrations I had during the political season. I am making this book the book club selection for our University's Social Justice Book Club. I encourage everyone to read this (liberals, conservatives, progressives, traditionalists, white, people of color, etc.)
This is a great analysis of the 2008 election season and the white supremacy and white denial that played as a central prevailing discourse during this time. Even if you are not familiar with Wise's other works, READ THIS! If you are a White person, especially READ THIS! If you are a person of color, READ THIS! This will be an ongoing discussion throughout the Obama presidency and it is important for everyone to critically engage these issues that impact all of us. Wise's book provides a discourse that not only challenges whiteness and racism, its also fosters this dialogue in which we can all place ourselves in to enable change. It is nice to actually see white people doing this work (people of color are way ahead of the game.) Keep it up Tim!
This book is a gripping "must read" for understanding the truth about racism in America. Tim Wise clearly and accurately articulates why America is not post-racial, despite the election of the first black President in U.S. history.
He offers an excellent perspective on the 2008 presidential election campaign, the Rev. Wright controversy, New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and much more on America's long and sordid history of racial oppression and injustice. Wise connects us with the real world experiences of African Americans, while integrating indisputable facts and data, including the overwhelming evidence of existing racial disparities in education, employment, housing, health care, wealth, and the criminal justice system.
Wise's paradigm of Racism 1.0 and the modern version - Racism 2.0 - is brilliant. The author finishes with a strong call for white responsibility to oppose and eradicate racism, in partnership with people of color.
