Understanding Interracial Unity: A Study of U.S. Race Relations (SAGE Series on Race and Ethnic Relations)

By Richard W. Thomas

Book Overview

"The book. . . offers much useful detail on the antislavery movement, the organization of early civil rights groups such as the NAACP, the recent civil rights organizations and movements. . . . a book showing whites and blacks cooperating in struggles against racism is welcome." --Choice Positive interracial interactions--the so-called Other Tradition of unity and cooperation--have often been overshadowed by the overt persistence and resilience of racism. In this perceptive volume, Richard W. Thomas shows how the largely unnoticed interracial struggle for racial justice and harmony can serve as a model for overcoming racism on a much larger, even worldwide scale. Understanding Interracial Unity offers a proactive approach to many difficult racially loaded issues, such as black poverty, crime, and hopelessness; the barrier of white racism to black progress; the widening gaps between black inner cities and white suburbs; and much more. Beginning with a historical overview, Thomas considers the history of interracial unity from colonial times to the present, focusing on key figures, including the Grimk sisters, Thaddeus Stevens, and Esther Brown. He also presents a sensitive and detailed examination of the inflexibility of racial status quos and the impact of black expectations and demands. Finally, this volume faces the state of race relations today and argues that blacks and whites must become increasingly aware of a shared history of struggle for equality to wage a successful battle against the institution of racism. A substantial approach to a sensitive issue, Understanding Interracial Unity will motivate a variety of readers to think about the implications of interracial unity. In particular, this volume provides a perspective of interest to students and researchers in race and ethnic studies, urban studies, policy studies, political science, sociology, social work, and education as well as professionals in the human services.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803946031
• ISBN13: 9780803946033
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 5.8"