Portraits of White Racism

First published in 1977, this book advanced a distinctively sociological theory of racism. In this revised edition the theoretical perspective is updated.

First published in 1977, Portraits of White Racism advanced a distinctively sociological theory of racism. Based on five case histories, it critically assessed the prevailing social-psychological paradigm that equated racism with prejudice and provided an alternative interpretation. Racism, the book argued, could be understood as a culturally sanctioned strategy for defending social advantage based on race; it was not simply the product of psychological abnormalities. In this revised edition the theoretical perspective is updated, taking into account recent theorising in the sociology of racism.

Preface to the Second Edition; Preface to the First Edition; 1. Introduction to the second edition; 2. Prejudiced people are not the only racists in America; 3. From theory to research and back again - a methodological discussion; 4. 'I favour anything that doesn't affect me personally' Gene Danich; 5. 'The trouble is all this suspicion between us' Darlene Kurier; 6. 'If I could do it, why can't they do it?' Dick Wilson; 7. 'Convincing people that this is a racist country is like selling soap - if agitators say it enough times people will believe it' John Harper; 8. 'There wouldn't be any problems if people's heads were in the right place'; 9. Toward a sociology of white racism; 10. Epilogue: from Bensonhurst to Berkeley; 11. Appendix: interview guide; 12. Bibliography; 13. Index.

First published in 1977, this book advanced a distinctively sociological theory of racism. Based on five case histories, it critically assessed the prevailing social-psychological paradigm and provided an alternative interpretation. In this revised edition the theoretical perspective is updated, taking into account recent theorising in the sociology of racism.