History of Racism

History of Racism features selected readings from an interdisciplinary pool of authors who explore racism from fresh and diverse perspectives. These readings critically analyze American history, and challenge assumptions about meritocracy and the flow of benefits to all through social institutions. The material provides a forum for authors who place marginalized groups at the center of their work, and explain racism and key historical events from their perspectives.

The topics covered include:

• Institutional Racism
• Defining Whiteness
• Racism and Housing, Education, and Criminal Justice
• Confronting Racism at the Macro-level

Discussion questions draw attention to key themes, and can be used to launch lectures and classroom discussions, or for homework assignments. The appendix of film and web resources provides resources for additional learning through multimedia.

History of Racism is an excellent supplement to general African-American or Ethnic Studies history textbooks. It can be used in introductory African-American Studies, Ethnic Studies and African-American History Since 1865 courses. The material is also appropriate for courses on dealing with social inequality, minority group relations, intercultural studies, and minority community development planning.

Lezlee Hinesmon-Matthews, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Afro-Ethnic Studies at California State University, Fullerton, where she teaches courses on the history of racism, and organizes workshops on anti-racism curriculum development. She is the author of Faith-Based Versus Secular Approaches to Community Development: The Case of the African-American Community in Los Angeles, and a contributor to the Encyclopedia of African-American History. Her work has been supported through generous funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.