Racism in the United States, Second Edition

This comprehensive text thoroughly reviews the theories and history of racism, the sociology of and the psychology of racism, intergroup relations and intergroup conflict, and how racism is manifested institutionally, between groups, and between people, providing a unique view of the connections between these multiple perspectives. Readers can then apply this knowledge to their work as helping professionals. Students learn to explore their own biases and how they influence their view of themselves and others, which strengthens their work with future clients. Fulfilling NASW and CSWE cultural competency requirements, this book teaches socially just practices to helping professionals from any discipline. Many people want to dismantle racism but they do not know how. This book gets us closer to that goal.

Using critical race theory as a conceptual framework, the text analyzes all levels of racism: personal, professional, institutional, and cultural. Integrating theory, research, and practice, racism is linked to other forms of oppression with an emphasis on how helping professionals can respond. Tips on how to facilitate racial dialogues are provided. Early chapters map out the contours of racism and later chapters emphasize how to dismantle it. Readers appreciate the book's sensitive approach to this difficult topic. Examples and exercises encourage insight into understanding racism, and insightful analyses offer strategies, solutions, and hope. Readers learn to respond to racism in all contexts including working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

NEW TO THE SECOND EDITION:

• Reflects recent sociopolitical changes including "Islamophobia" the Obama presidency, the murders of young men of color by police, the racialization of the criminal justice system, and current immigration issues.
• More cases and experiential exercises help readers explore how racism is manifested and how to incorporate the lessons learned into future working environments.
• More emphasis on the intersectionality of racism and other social oppressions including class, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, immigration experiences, and disability to give readers a better understanding of the relationship between these issues.
• PowerPoints and Instructor's resources with sample syllabi, teaching tips, and suggested videos and related websites.

An ideal text for advanced courses on racism, oppression, diversity, prejudice and discrimination, or racism and professional practice, this book also appeals to helping professionals (social workers, psychologists, counselors, and nurses) who need to understand racism to better serve their clients.

Joshua L. Miller, MSW, PhD, is a professor at Smith College School for Social Work and a visiting professor at Beijing Normal University. He focuses on antiracism work in his scholarship, teaching, and community activism. He also responds to major disasters internationally and is the author of Psychosocial Capacity Building in Response to Disasters.

Ann Marie Garran, MSW, PhD, is an associate professor and MSW program director at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Her scholarship, teaching, and community work are largely centered on antiracism and other anti-oppression work, as well as inclusive pedagogy in social work education to better understand how power and privilege shape both the instructor and student experience.

CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Racism in the United States: Implications for the Helping Professions

1 Background: Social Identity and Situating Ourselves

2 What Is Racism?

3 A Brief History of Racism in the United States and Implications for the Helping Professions

4 The Web of Institutional Racism

5 Why Is It So Difficult for People With Privilege to See Racism?

6 Social Identity Formation and Group Membership

7 Intersectionality: Racism and Other Forms of Social Oppression

8 Racial Dialogue: Talking About Race and Racism

9 Responses to Racism in the Community

10 Confronting Racism in Agencies and Organizations

11 Cross-Racial Clinical Work

12 Teaching About Race and Racism

13 Dismantling Racism: Creating the Web of Resistance

Appendix A Study Circles Dialogues

Appendix B Steps to Successful Intergroup Conversation: A Critical-Dialogic Model

Appendix C Activities Toward Becoming an Antiracist Organization

Appendix D Issues to Consider When Confronting Institutional Racism

Appendix E Cultural Values and Worldviews

Appendix F For Further Reading About Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Clinical Practice

Appendix G Case Vignette One: White Male Worker With Chicana Client

Appendix H Case Vignette Two: Woman of Color Worker With African American Client

Appendix I Culturally Influenced Behaviors

Appendix J Questions About Cross-Cultural Contacts

Appendix K Imaginary Letter

Index

Interview with Ann Marie Garran, MSW, PhD

Interview with Joshua Miller MSW, PhD and Ann Marie Garran MSW, PhD

Interview with Joshua Miller MSW, PhD

Interview with Joshua Miller MSW, PhD