Race Equality Week

Selected Bibliography of Books at the Cambridge Public Library

Jensen, Derrick. The Culture of Make Believe. New York: Context Books, 2002 305.8 J453c

This book suggests that only by understanding past horrors can we hope to prevent future ones. Among the subjects examined are lynchings in early 20th-century America, slavery and corporate misdeeds.

Packard, Jerold M. American Nightmare: the History of Jim Crow / St. Martins, 2002 [BLK ST] 973.04 P123a

"…provides an excellent overview of the Jim Crow era, from Reconstruction through passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 …" – Booklist

Fairclough, Adam. Better day coming : Blacks and equality, 1890-2000 / Adam Fairclough. New York : Viking, 2001. 323.1

This is a great introduction for those who have little or no knowledge about the history of race relations since the American Civil War.

How race is lived in America : pulling together, pulling apart / correspondents of the New York Times ; introduction by Joseph Lelyveld. New York : Times Books/Henry Holt, 2001. 305.8

The 15 stories in this book were originally published as a series in the New Yorker. There are some touchy issues explored in this remarkable and eye-opening book on the complexity of contemporary race relations.

Elder, Larry. The Ten things You Can’t Say in America / St. Martins, 2002973.923 El22t

Written by a popular talk show host, this should make for interesting reading.

Wilson, William J., 1935- The bridge over the racial divide : rising inequality and coalition politics / William Julius Wilson. Berkeley : University of California Press ; New York : Russell Sage Foundation, c1999. [BLK ST] 305.8 W699b

"Wilson thoughtfully asserts the need for coalition building with a focus on nonrace-specific issues." - Booklist

Tatum, Beverly Daniel. "Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?" and other conversations about race / Beverly Daniel Tatum. New York : BasicBooks, c1997 305.8 T189w

An insightful exploration of the varieties of Americans’ experience with race in every day life, written by a developmental psychologist and mother of two.

Sigelman, Lee. Black Americans' views of racial inequality : the dream deferred / Lee Sigelman, Susan Welch. Cambridge [England] ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1991 [BLK ST] 301.45 Si22b

An analysis of black opinions about the source of their inequality and the ways in which to change the imbalance.

Steinberg, Stephen. Turning back : the retreat from racial justice in American thought and policy / Stephen Steinberg. Boston, Mass. : Beacon Press, c1995 305.8 St34t

A critique of prevailing attitudes on race and social injustice.

Oliver, Melvin L. Black wealth/white wealth : a new perspective on racial inequality / Melvin L. Oliver and Thomas M. Shapiro. New York : Routledge, 1995 305.8 OL4b

This book is for all those with an interest in social equality and social policy. It calls into question the notion of a vibrant black middle class.

Dalton, Harlon L. Racial healing : confronting the fear between Blacks and Whites / Harlon L. Dalton. New York : Doubleday, c1995 305.8

The author shares his experiences with racial healing.

D'Souza, Dinesh, 1961- The end of racism : principles for a multiracial society / Dinesh D'Souza. New York : Free Press, c1995 305.8 D849e

"The author of the best-selling Illiberal Education offers a controversial challenge to the ubiquitous crusade against racism, arguing that race should not serve as the basis for public policy making." – Ingram

West, Cornel. Race matters / Cornel West. Boston : Beacon Press, c1993. 305.8

Essays on race in America

Bell, Derrick A. And we are not saved : the elusive quest for racial justice / Derrick Bell. New York : Basic Books, c1987. 323.4