Racism: A Very Short Introduction

Description

Racism is ever present today, and it has become common now to refer to a variety of racisms, from biological to cultural, colour-blind, and structural racisms. Ali Rattansi explores the history of racism and illuminates contemporary issues in this controversial subject, from intersectionality to cultural racism, to the debate over whiteness.

• Identifies a variety of racisms and provides a clear accessible guide to why there is now a need to discuss racisms in the plural rather than in the singular
• Provides illumination on topical controversial issues such as cultural racism, Islamophobia, intersectionality, and colour-blind racism
• Explains why there has been a recent resurgence of national populist and far-right movements, and explores their implications for the future of racism
• Part of the Very Short Introductions series - over ten million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Ali Rattansi, Visiting Professor of Sociology, City, University of London

Ali Rattansi was born in Nairobi and educated at the Universities of Manchester and Trinity College, Cambridge. He has taught at Cambridge, Leicester, The Open University, and City, University of London. He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Visiting Fellow at Jesus College, Cambridge. His many books include Racism, Modernity and Identity (Polity Press, 1994), and Multiculturalism A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Preface to the second edition
1:Race and racism: some conundrums
2:Imperialism, genocide, and the 'science' of 'race'
3:The demise of scientific racism
4:Racialization, cultural racism, and religion
5:Colour-blind whiteness and structural racism
6:Intersectionality and 'implicit' or 'unconscious' bias
7:The rise and rise of right-wing national populism and the future of racism

Reviews

"A superb book, covering a whole sweep of history, but in this revised edition bang up to date in terms of recent research and current controversies, including the rise of right-wing populism." - Professor Lord Giddens, former Director of the London School Economics

"Appearing at a moment when resurgent racisms threaten democracy and social justice in many countries, Ali Rattansi's book is immensely valuable. Clearly and concisely analyzing the varieties of racism today, Rattansi explains the roots of the phenomenon and also helps us challenge its new forms. Rooted in the past of segregation, biologism, apartheid, fascism, and imperial genocide, racism's contemporary expressions like "colorblindness," anti-immigrant politics, and "national populism" all demand our attention and resistance. Racism: A Very Short Introduction provides the tools we need to respond effectively. Highly recommended for course adoption!" - Professor Howard Winant, University of California