I'm Not a Racist, But

Blum argues that "race" itself, even when not serving distinct racial malfeasance, is a morally destructive idea, implying moral distance and unequal worth. History and genetic science reveal both the avoidability and the falsity of the idea of race. Blum argues that we can give up the idea of race, but must recognize that racial groups' historical and social experience has been shaped by having been treated as if they were races.

List of contents

1. "Racism": Its Core Meaning

2. Can Blacks Be Racist?

3. Varieties of Racial Ills

4. Racial Discrimination and Color Blindness

5. "Race": What We Mean and What We Think We Mean

6. "Race": A Brief History, with Moral Implications

7. Do Races Exist?

8. Racialized Groups and Social Constructions

9. Should We Try to Give Up Race?Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the author

Lawrence Blum is Professor of Philosophy and Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. His previous books include Moral Perception and Particularity and Friendship, Altruism, and Morality.

Summary

Blum develops a historically grounded account of racism as the deeply morally charged notion it has become. He addresses the question whether people of color can be racist, defines types of racism, and identifies debased and inappropriate usages of the term.

Product details

• Authors: Lawrence Blum
• Publisher: Cornell University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.11.2002
• EAN: 9780801488153
• ISBN: 978-0-8014-8815-3
• No. of pages: 272
• Dimensions: 155 mm x 233 mm x 17 mm
• Weight: 404 g
• Series: Moral Quandary of Race; Moral Quandary of Race
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Social education, social work; Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Politics