White men on race

"Based on the revealing and provocative testimony of about one hundred powerful, upper-income white men, White Men on Race shows how these men see racial "others," how they see white America, how they view racial conflicts, and what they expect for the country's future. Covering a range of topics, from how they first encountered black Americans to views on blacks today, interracial dating, affirmative action, current immigration, crime, and intervening in discriminatory situations, their views enlighten us on the racial perspectives of the country's twenty-first century white male elites." "These men, mostly baby boomers ranging in age from their thirties to their sixties, reside in a variety of U.S. cities and states. Some are at or near the top of powerful economic and government organizations and are members of the national governing class, while most are a tier or two below that top level and are influential in their regions or local communities. Most are executives in corporations, influential officials and administrators, academics, physicians, attorneys, and businesspeople." "The authors closely analyze the racial attitudes and experiences of this powerful group and argue that certain key ideas and views expressed by the majority are not isolated but are part of a larger, often troubling set of perspectives on race in America. These perspectives continue to shape white lives and actions and, ultimately, the course of the nation." "In their interviews the authors find that these men provide complex and nuanced perspectives on race in U.S. society, with traditional racial interpretations often with more progressive, even actively antiracist, assessment of contemporary racial realities. Those men who are consistently and strongly antiracist in their perspectives and actions, the authors argue, provide hope for more effective leadership on racial matters in the present and future of the United States."--Jacket.