Racism without Racists

Racism Without Racists examines in detail how Whites talk, think, and account for the existence of racial inequality. The main argument of the book is that color-blind racism, a new racial ideology that emerged in the post-Civil Rights era, has emerged as the fountain of frames, stylistic components, and racial stories Whites rely on to articulate their views on racial affairs. Relying on systematically-gathered interview data, Bonilla-Silva not only de constructs the main elements of this ideology, but also explains how the ways most Whites live their lives (the "white habitus") is central to the reproduction of this ideology, why a specific segment of the White community is more racially progressive, and accounts for how Blacks are effected by the ideology. In this edition, the author has added a very didactic chapter discussing what makes "systemic racism" systemic and another examining how color-blind racism framed many issues during the pandemic.

Eduardo Bonilla-Silva’s acclaimed Racism without Racists examines in detail how Whites talk, think, and account for the existence of racial inequality and makes clear that color-blind racism is as insidious now as ever. The sixth edition of this provocative book includes new material on systemic racism and how color-blind racism framed many issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. A revised conclusion addresses what readers can do to confront racism—both personally and on a larger structural level. New to this edition: New Chapter 2 , “What is Systemic Racism? Coming to Terms with How Racism Shapes ‘All’ Whites (and Non-Whites)” explains how all members of society participate in structural racism. New Chapter 10, “Color-Blind Racism in Pandemic Times” provides coverage of racial disparities in mortality, the role of essential workers, and hunger during the pandemic – particularly how public discourse did not reflect how these problems are worse for communities of color. Updated discussion of police surveillance and violence reflects the current salience of police brutality in the U.S. and enhances the conversation on suave racial discrimination (Chapter 3). Addresses the question, “What is to be done?” and offers White people ideas on what they can do to change themselves (Chapter 11).