More Than Just Race

Being Black and Poor in the Inner City (Issues of Our Time)

By: William Julius Wilson

Narrated by: Vince Bailey

White Americans have long been comfortable in the assumption that they are the cultural norm. Now that notion is being challenged, as White people wrestle with what it means to be part of a fast-changing, truly multicultural nation. Facing chronic economic insecurity, a popular culture that reflects the nation’s diverse cultural reality, a future in which they will no longer constitute the majority of the population, and with a Black president in the White House, Whites are growing anxious.

This anxiety has helped to create the Tea Party movement, with its call to "take our country back." By means of a racialized nostalgia for a mythological past, the Right is enlisting fearful Whites into its campaign for reactionary social and economic policies.

In urgent response, Tim Wise has penned his most pointed and provocative work to date. Employing the form of direct personal address, he points a finger at Whites’ race-based self-delusion, explaining how such an agenda will only do harm to the nation’s people, including most Whites. In no uncertain terms, he argues that the hope for survival of American democracy lies in the embrace of our multicultural past, present and future.

©2009 William Julius Wilson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Sparing neither family nor self . . . he considers how the deck has always been stacked in his and other white people's favor. . . . His candor is invigorating.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“One of the most brilliant, articulate and courageous critics of white privilege in the nation.” (Michael Eric Dyson)

Heavier than anticipated

Several other experts have referred to this book as a fundamental resource. I was not expecting such a textbook though. A heavy analysis of key research in the field reveals a nuanced explanation of the intersection of culture and oppressive system structure. Be prepared to put your thinking cap on, and benefit from Wilson's thorough dissection of most major relevant issues. Very little author bias makes this book a true academic gem.

A long, sometimes vague, pointed research report

Narrator had a great, deep voice. The book itself is largely a collection and synthesis of research intended to lead the listener to the point that while cultural influences cannot be counted out, that the plight of poor, black, inner city communities is largely due to structural influences.

If you're a researcher in this area, likely a very important book. If you're not, it may be hard to listen to.

Excellent!!

I wasn't expecting this however it has enlightened me. Excellent narrated. Excellent book. I have recommended reading to family & friends.

Good

To someone who has never studied poverty, this would be a great listen. I have and found it insightful but not groundbreaking. The narration is not as bad as it sounds in the sample.

An articulation of the obvious

I enjoyed the book and am sorry I don't have access to the reports that were referenced.