Anatomy of Racism

1990

David Theo Goldberg, editor

Through a systematic attack upon the politics of language, categories, and concepts informing racist practice, Anatomy of Racism examines the nature of racism conceptually and historically to unveil its chameleonic and parasitic character as evidenced in the body of scientific and philosophical, socio-political and legal, and cultural expression. “Constitutes an important challenge to positivistic approaches to the question of racism.” --Patterns of Prejudice Contributors: Kwame Anthony Appiah, Etienne Balibar, Homi K. Bhabha, Martin Barker, Roland Barthes, Barbara Christian, Christian Delacampagne, Frantz Fanon, Peter Fitzpatrick, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sander L. Gilman, Paul Gilroy, David Theo Goldberg, John L. Hodge, Julia Kristeva, Lucius Outlaw, Edward W. Said, and Nancy Leys Stepan.

Through a systematic attack upon the politics of language, categories, and concepts informing racist practice, Anatomy of Racism examines the nature of racism conceptually and historically to unveil its chameleonic and parasitic character as evidenced in the body of scientific and philosophical, socio-political and legal, and cultural expression.

“Constitutes an important challenge to positivistic approaches to the question of racism.” --Patterns of Prejudice

Contributors: Kwame Anthony Appiah, Etienne Balibar, Homi K. Bhabha, Martin Barker, Roland Barthes, Barbara Christian, Christian Delacampagne, Frantz Fanon, Peter Fitzpatrick, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sander L. Gilman, Paul Gilroy, David Theo Goldberg, John L. Hodge, Julia Kristeva, Lucius Outlaw, Edward W. Said, and Nancy Leys Stepan.

Anatomy of Racism constitutes an important challenge to positivistic approaches to the question of racism.

Patterns of Prejudice

Racism has proved adaptable to a wide range of theoretical frameworks and practical expressions. This feature of racist discourse has contributed significantly to its pernicious persistence. Through a systematic attack upon the politics of language, categories, and concepts informing racist practice, Anatomy of Racism examines the nature of racism conceptually and historically to unveil its chameleonic and parasitic character as evidenced in the body of scientific and philosophical, sociopolitical and legal, and cultural expression. Thus the presupposition of a single monolithic racism is displaced by a mapping of the many historical formulations of racisms. (ital.) Using analytic instruments fashioned in contemporary social theory, philosophy, and cultural criticism, this volume identifies and isolates the culture of racist discourse, thereby facilitating understanding while undermining its varied manifestations. Rather than supporting the widespread presumption that racism is inherently a set of irrational prejudices, Anatomy of Racism ultimately demonstrates that it has assumed in normal course the mantle of scientific theory, philosophical rationality, and ‘morality’.

David Theo Goldberg is professor and director of the School of Justice Studies, Arizona State University. He is the author of Racial Subjects: Writing on Race in America and Racist Culture: Philosophy and the Politics of Meaning.

Anatomy of Racism constitutes an important challenge to positivistic approaches to the question of racism.

Patterns of Prejudice

David Theo Goldberg has brought together nineteen selections aimed at clarifying the definition and forms of racist expression. The contributors of these selections include philosophers, literature specialists, and social scientists. Goldberg seeks to set aside the belief that racism is merely the result of ignorance. Rather, he and his contributors show how it is drawn from alleged scientific theory, philosophical discourse, and accepted moral standards. Racism is not a constant, but must be defined in the social context of time and place.

Journal of American Ethnic History