Silent Racism

In This Section: Highlights | Excerpts from Published Reviews | Reactions In Academia | Reader Reactions

From the foreward of the new edition:

"I am really proud of the working relationship with Barbara that has developed as a result of my introduction to this book [Silent Racism], and I am honored to be a part of the new chapter on disproportionality. I have no doubt that readers will find it exciting and informative. I believe that this book will impact readers both personally and professionally. Many "passionate champions" have emerged in the Texas child welfare system as a result of our commitment to systems improvements and the work depicted in the first edition of Silent Racism. The new chapter on lessening disproportionality will be even more beneficial for people working in child welfare or other systems where disproportionality occurs."

Joyce James, Deputy Commissioner
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Austin, Texas

Highlights From The Book

• Race awareness in well-meaning white people—including racial progressives—is both sorely lacking and a crucial piece of the racism puzzle.

• Well-meaning white people who are passive around others’ racism encourage it, whether or not they intend to.

• Slavery and segregation have been transformed into a less obvious structure: institutional racism.

• Race awareness entails understanding three facets of racism: the history of racism in the U.S., how institutional racism operates, and insight into one’s own silent racism and passivity.

• Both silent racism and passivity in well-meaning white people are instrumental in producing institutional racism.

• Throughout U.S. history a small group of white Americans has stood against the racist institutions of their day.

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Excerpts from Published Reviews

Gender & Society, Spring 2008

Focusing primarily on the unspoken racist thoughts and assumptions that would typically be rendered harmless, Trepagnier’s objective is to transform the way that liberal and progressive whites think about race by pointing to the ways in which silence and passivity continue to divide Black and white Americans in modern society.

Trepagnier’s final chapter, “Antiracist Practice,”is my favorite because she equips the reader with the necessary tools to conduct and facilitate their own antiracist workshop. She distinguishes her work from others’ by doing more than just talking about social change; she actually provides steps for increasing racial awareness.

This book provides readers with rich empirical data, a strong theoretical foundation, and applied tools for teaching and social change. A significant contribution to race theory, Silent Racism is a text that would benefit the masses—students, teachers, scholars, activists—a must-read for anyone interested in understanding race in today’s society. JEFFRIANNE WILDER University of Florida

-- Jeffrianne Wilder, University of Florida

Symbolic Interaction, Spring 2008

Barbara Trepagnier’s fine book on institutional racism is an important statement on this timely topic. The clearly symbolic interactionist approach the author uses to fuel her qualitative study of racial attitudes provides a useful alternative to structuralist views on racism.

I really hope that Barbara Trepagnier continues this line of research…. Trepagnier’s research adds some much-needed scholarly insight to [liberals’ self-assessment of racial progressiveness]. Her provocative concept of “silent racism” can be nurtured with insights gained from comparative research across gender and social class. I would also encourage her to apply her model of race awareness to bigotry directed towards other groups. Her work is important to symbolic interactionists because she begins with Herbert Blumer’s idea of seeing racism as a social process, but extends it with an honorable commitment to changing race relations through two social mechanisms we hold dear: communications and relationships.

-- Joseph A. Kotarba, University of Houston

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Reactions In Academia

[Silent Racism] powerfully and convincingly demonstrates racism’s continuing existence in the most unlikely places.

-- Keith Kerr, Quinnipiac University

“Important [because] it addresses white folks who see themselves as ‘not racist.’ This is a group that has been sorely understudied…. Highly significant.”

-- Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Duke University

"I believe [Trepagnier’s] insight that the categorical nature of the term racism is a barrier to exploring the topic of race is one of the single most important insights I have read in the literature on race."

-- Russell Skiba, Indiana University

“Silent Racism opens up [a] public dialogue [about racism]…by providing an approachable book that can influence not only the academic community but…also a larger public.”

-- Chad L. Smith, Texas State University

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Reader Reviews

I purchased your book through Amazon a few days ago. I am a 52 yr old black woman and I'm finding your book therapeutic. Over the past few years I've begun to gain an awareness of the damaging effects silent racism can have, over time, on one's sense of well being. Thank you for doing this work.

-Sharon Kyle, Los Angeles -- Publisher, LA Progressive

After I heard you speak at a local university, I immediately adopted your book for my course and many of the students described reading it as “life changing.”

-Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D. -- Louisville, KY

I am up at 5AM on a Saturday morning because I can't sleep, and I hear you talking about silent racism in the most truthful way. Hearing you talk about your book is both refreshing and compelling at the same time. I feel the most sincere form of hope. You are starting the conversation for your people that many of my people (black people) have been trying to engage in for centuries. Your book may open the door for honest social justice. Thank You!

Patrice Mays, -- Portland, OR

Hello. My wife and I watched a discussion of your book “Silent Racism” on a television program, and, as an African American couple aware of the existence of covert modern racist practices, we really appreciate your research--it is very important. I will do all I can to let people know about you and your research.

During the program you stated that it is important for whites to have relationships with blacks. I feel blacks also have a responsibility to build relationships with whites. In order to fight silent racism we must try to get an understanding of each other. Your research will help allow us to collectively this understanding. Once again I want to thank you for your research.

Byron Greene -- Philadelphia

Surprising and insightful

It's disconcerting to realize that sometimes my best efforts at NOT being racist have been just that. This book helped me realize the necessity of self-examination to expose those ways in which I'm participating in the racial divide, not by obvious acts of prejudice but by leaving my assumptions unchallenged. This is a very important book.

- Agnes

Excellent book about race!

This is an amazing book. Anyone concerned about race and racism should read it! Trepagnier's interviews with white women who are "well meaning" and concerned with racism are enlightening. For example, some of the women discussed (oftentimes, somewhat unconsciously) stereotypes that they have about African Americans. The author challenges readers to stop thinking of ourselves and other people as being in the categories of "racist" or "not racist." Doing so discourages us from becoming what Trepagnier refers to as more "racially aware." I encourage people to read the book, buy it for others, and TALK about the issues it raises. It's one of the ways to increase racial awareness. Given many recent events reported in the media, it's clear that racial awareness is a worthwhile and important goal.

- P. Giuffre

A Compelling And Modern Perspective On Racism

As a graduate student in the field of sociology, I find the ideas presented in this book to be fascinating and presented well. Trepagnier reviews existing theories insightfully and then presents a fresh perspective on a much-discussed topic. In doing so, she offers both compelling evidence for her theories and solutions to the problems she presents. She addresses racism in its most modern form - the hidden, mostly unintentional racism that is within us all and embedded in the very structure of our culture. She does so in a clear, artful manner and without the tedium sometimes associated with books written by academics. I highly recommend this work for students and teachers.

As a well-intentioned white woman myself, the book is revelatory. Many whites, myself included, were taught that racism is bad but did not receive a clear definition. The author shows how our blind stumbling about the topic of racism actually contributes to the problem, even if our avoidance is well-intentioned. Trepagnier dissects modern white people's perspective on race at the day-to-day level and eradicates any confusion about what racism is. If you want to be part of the solution to racism, read this book.

- Kristina Barnett

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