56 pages • 1 hour read
The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: How White People Profit from Identity Politics
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Book Brief
296
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Possessive Investment in Whiteness by George Lipsitz is a collection of essays exploring the racial hierarchy in American society that advantages white individuals by combining private prejudice and public policy. Lipsitz investigates the historical and contemporary mechanisms of institutionalized racism affecting housing, employment, education, and beyond, arguing that seemingly race-neutral policies perpetuate white supremacy. The book also examines media representation, alliances among racial minorities, and the intersection of race with other factors like class, sexual orientation, and gender. Topics include racism, racist brutality, and murder.
Informative
Contemplative
Challenging
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
893 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lipsitz's The Possessive Investment in Whiteness insightfully explores systemic racial inequality and the societal dominance of whiteness. Praised for its thorough research and compelling arguments, some critics note its dense academic prose may challenge general readers. Overall, it’s a pivotal text in understanding racial privilege and social justice.
Who Should Read The Possessive Investment in Whiteness?
Readers of The Possessive Investment in Whiteness by George Lipsitz likely include sociologists, historians, and activists interested in racial inequality and systemic racism. Comparable works include Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Robin DiAngelo's White Fragility.
893 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois
A seminal African American scholar and activist who introduced concepts like double consciousness and compensatory whiteness. His analyses are pivotal to understanding racial dynamics and the capitalist system in America.
James Baldwin
James Baldwin
Renowned author and essayist examining race, whiteness, and homophobia, with a significant influence on anti-racist studies. His idea of racial innocence comments on the denial of white supremacy and is relevant to the discourse on racial dynamics.
296
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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