White Men Challenging Racism: 35 Personal Stories
Thompson and the other authors spent six years interviewing 35 white men with a range of ages and backgrounds and from across the U.S. for these first-person narratives on racism as a central theme in their lives. The subjects are men--some well known, others obscure--who have spent their lives combating racism and social injustice via community organizing, teaching, civil rights advocacy, and a variety of other efforts. Their narratives form a powerful counterpoint to the trend toward "colorblindness" that often signifies white indifference to the plight of minorities. In addition to relating the altruism of their efforts, these men offer self-reflections on their own personal shortcomings regarding race, despite their efforts to overcome them, and critically examine the privilege often enjoyed, but seldom acknowledged, by white men. Among the subjects are Herbert Aptheker, radical historian; Stetson Kennedy, a Klan infiltrator in the 1940s; Richard Lapchick, advocate for racial and gender justice in sports. The contributors explore issues from immigrant rights to interracial relations to gay activism. Readers interested in different perspectives on social justice will enjoy this collection.Vernon FordCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.