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Transcending Racial Barriers: Toward a Mutual Obligations Approach

Online ISBN:
9780199943388
Print ISBN:
9780199742684
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Transcending Racial Barriers: Toward a Mutual Obligations Approach

Michael O. Emerson,
Michael O. Emerson

Professor of Sociology

Rice University
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George Yancey
George Yancey

Associate Professor of Sociology

University of North Texas
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Published online:
24 May 2012
Published in print:
21 December 2010
Online ISBN:
9780199943388
Print ISBN:
9780199742684
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

Despite recent progress against racial inequalities, American society continues to produce attitudes and outcomes that reinforce the racial divide. This book offers a fresh perspective on how to combat racial division. The chapters document the historical move from white supremacy to institutional racism, and then look at modern efforts to overcome the racialized nature of our society. They argue that both conservative and progressive approaches have failed, as they continually fall victim to forces of ethnocentrism and group interest. They then explore group interest and possible ways to account for the perspectives of both majority and minority group members. They also look to multiracial congregations, multiracial families, the military, and sports teams—all situations in which group interests have been overcome before. In each context they find the development of a core set of values that binds together different racial groups, along with the flexibility to express racially-based cultural uniqueness that does not conflict with this critical core. The book offers what is at once a balanced approach towards dealing with racial alienation and a bold step forward in the debate about the steps necessary to overcome present-day racism.

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