Beyond Racial Division

Christianity Today Book Award—Politics and Pubilc Life Efforts at colorblindness and antiracism have not been very effective in addressing racial tensions in the United States. Colorblindness ignores the realities of race and the history of injustice. On the other hand, antiracism centers racial concerns and in so doing often alienates people who need to be involved in the process. Sociologist George Yancey offers an alternative approach to racial relations where all parties contribute and are mutually accountable to one another for societal well-being. He provides empirical rationale for how collaborative conversations in a mutual accountability model can reduce racial division. History and societal complexity mean that different participants may have different kinds of responsibility, but all are involved in seeking the common good for all to thrive. Avoiding unilateral decisions that close off dialogue, Yancey casts a vision for moving beyond racial alienation toward a lifestyle and movement of collaborative conversation and mutuality.

Christians have struggled with racial issues for centuries, and often inadvertently contribute to the problem. Many proposed solutions have been helpful, but these only take us so far. Adding to this complex situation is the reality that Christians of different races see the issues differently. Sociologist George Yancey surveys a range of approaches to racial healing that Christians have used and offers a new model for moving forward. The first part of the book analyzes four secular models regarding race used by Christians (colorblindness, Anglo-conformity, multiculturalism and white responsibility) and shows how each has its own advantages and limitations. Part two offers a new "mutual responsibility" model, which acknowledges that both majority and minority cultures have their own challenges, tendencies, and sins to repent of, and that people of different races approach racial reconciliation and justice in differing but complementary ways. Yancey's vision offers hope that people of all races can walk together on a shared path--not as adversaries, but as partners.

Sociologist George Yancey critiques four models of race (colorblindness, Anglo-conformity, multiculturalism and white responsibility), and introduces a new model (mutual responsibility). He offers hope that people of all races can walk together on a shared path toward racial reconciliation--not as adversaries but as collaborators and partners.

The Racial Politics of Division deconstructs antagonistic discourses that circulated in local Miami media between African Americans, "white" Cubans, and "black" Cubans during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift and the 1994 Balsero Crisis. Monika Gosin challenges exclusionary arguments pitting these groups against one another and depicts instead the nuanced ways in which identities have been constructed, negotiated, rejected, and reclaimed in the context of Miami's historical multiethnic tensions. Focusing on ideas of "legitimacy," Gosin argues that dominant race-making ideologies of the white establishment regarding "worthy citizenship" and national belonging shape inter-minority conflict as groups negotiate their precarious positioning within the nation. Rejecting oversimplified and divisive racial politics, The Racial Politics of Division portrays the lived experiences of African Americans, white Cubans, and Afro-Cubans as disrupters in the binary frames of worth-citizenship narratives. Foregrounding the oft-neglected voices of Afro-Cubans, Gosin posits new narratives regarding racial positioning and notions of solidarity in Miami. By looking back to interethnic conflict that foreshadowed current demographic and social trends, she provides us with lessons for current debates surrounding immigration, interethnic relations, and national belonging. Gosin also shows us that despite these new demographic realities, white racial power continues to reproduce itself by requiring complicity of racialized groups in exchange for a tenuous claim on US citizenship.

"Is the United States today a "postracial" society? In this volume, top scholars in psychology, education, sociology, and related fields dissect the concept of color-blind racial ideology (CBRI), the widely held belief that skin color does not affect interpersonal interactions and that interpersonal and institutional racism therefore no longer exist in American society. The chapter authors survey the theoretical and empirical literature on racial color blindness; discuss novel ways of assessing and measuring color-blind racial beliefs; examine related characteristics such as lack of empathy (among Whites) and internalized racism (among people of color); and assess the impact of CBRI in education, the workplace, and health care--as well as the racial disparities that such beliefs help foster"--Provided by publisher.

Human diversity is a rich tapestry that goes far beyond the superficial distinctions of race. Our shared humanity transcends the boundaries that society has imposed on us. By reducing individuals to mere categories based on external factors, we overlook the intricate web of connections that binds us all together. When we acknowledge the profound interconnectedness of humanity, we begin to appreciate the beauty of our shared heritage. Our blood carries within it the stories of countless generations, weaving a common thread that binds us all together. Through this shared ancestry, we find a sense of unity that transcends the artificial barriers of race and ethnicity. Blood, the life force that pulses through our veins, serves as a powerful symbol of our shared humanity. It is a tangible reminder that beneath the surface, we are all connected by a common bond that transcends societal divisions. Regardless of our differences in wealth, power, or social status, our blood flows with the same life-giving vitality, indifferent to the external labels that seek to define us. In its purest form, blood knows no prejudice or bias. It does not discriminate based on race, gender, or background. It simply fulfills its essential purpose of nourishing and sustaining every individual with equal strength and determination. This unifying force of nature underscores the fundamental equality that exists among all human beings, reminding us that we are more alike than we are different. The universal nature of blood serves as a powerful metaphor for the interconnectedness of humanity. Just as our blood circulates throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell, so too does our shared humanity bind us together in a web of mutual dependence and support. In times of crisis or need, it is this shared life force that unites us, inspiring acts of compassion, solidarity, and kindness that transcend the artificial barriers that divide us. By recognising the unifying power of our blood type, we can strive to build a more inclusive and compassionate world. We can embrace our shared humanity and work together to create a more just and equitable society, where the life-giving force that flows through our veins serves as a reminder of our inherent interconnectedness and shared responsibility to one another. Our blood is a powerful emblem of harmony, that goes beyond its mere medical significance. It signifies a shared bond that unites us all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Fundamentally, it is our shared blood that paves the way for a future where connections run deeper than the constraints of race. Our blood holds the key to our future—a future, where blood ties extend far beyond the realm of our respective race, and where the fallacies of racial disparities are finally laid to rest.

Sharpening our understanding of urban America's integrated neighborhoods.

"'White racism is a disease that is tearing American apart, and we have to study it and seek a cure for it, just as we do research on other diseases that kill ... ' In this trenchant and hard-hitting book, Whitney M. Young, Jr., the Executive Director of the National Urban League, strips away the myths and misunderstanding that cloud our view of America's racial problems, and provides an action program that could enable America to move beyond racism to an open society of justice and equality. He explains what government and the private sector must do to solve the racial crisis, and he shows how every individual can play an important role in building an open society"--Unedited summary from book jacket.