34 pages • 1 hour read •
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
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Book Brief
304
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 19th-21st centuries
2016
Bloomsbury Publishing
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Carol Anderson's 2016 nonfiction book, White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, examines how African-American progress has been historically repressed by economic self-interest, fear, and hatred from America's white elites. Focusing on Reconstruction, the Great Migration, desegregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Obama presidency, Anderson analyzes the white backlash that tried to halt advancements towards racial equality. The book includes discussions of slavery, systemic racism, and violence.
Informative
Dark
Challenging
Unnerving
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
20,110 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
White Rage by Carol Anderson is widely praised for its compelling and well-researched examination of systemic racism in America. The prose is both incisive and accessible, effectively illuminating historical and contemporary issues. However, some critics argue that its tone can be polarizing. Overall, it’s an essential, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read White Rage?
Readers interested in systemic racism, civil rights, and U.S. history will find White Rage by Carol Anderson compelling. Similar to The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, it suits those seeking to understand racial oppression and its modern consequences. Ideal for social justice advocates and scholars.
20,110 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Became President in 1865 after Lincoln's assassination, his Reconstruction policies were controversial for opposing Congressional efforts to protect African American rights. Known for his regressive stance during a pivotal post-Civil War period.
The Chicago Defender
The Chicago Defender
A leading African American newspaper in the early 20th century, it played a crucial role in the Great Migration by highlighting injustices in the South and encouraging movement northward for better opportunities.
Dr. Ossian Sweet
Dr. Ossian Sweet
A black physician who, during the Great Migration, defended his Detroit home from a violent mob, leading to a significant murder trial. His case highlighted the right to self-defense amid racial tensions.
George Wallace
George Wallace
Governor of Alabama and an advocate for segregation, remembered for his pro-Jim Crow stance and infamous speech promising continued segregation.
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Former actor and U.S. President from 1981, whose conservative policies and use of coded language are discussed in the context of their impact on social and civil rights advancements.
White Rage by Carol Anderson was inspired by her op-ed in The Washington Post that highlighted the overlooked racial tensions and systemic inequality in America, especially in the context of the Ferguson unrest.
The book was awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism in 2016, recognizing its impactful analysis and contribution to discussions on race in America.
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Carol Anderson is a professor at Emory University, and her interdisciplinary work often focuses on human rights, democratic governance, and race, bringing a scholarly perspective to White Rage.
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304
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 19th-21st centuries
2016
Bloomsbury Publishing
Adult
18+ years
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