Portraits of White Racism [Paperback]

First published in 1977, this book advanced a distinctively sociological theory of racism. In this revised edition the theoretical perspective is updated.Challenging the notion that racism consists simply of prejudice in the minds of individuals, this book argues instead that it is a set of culturally acceptable beliefs that defend the advantages whites have obtained in American society.Challenging the notion that racism consists simply of prejudice in the minds of individuals, this book argues instead that it is a set of culturally acceptable beliefs that defend the advantages whites have obtained in American society.Challenging the notion that racism consists simply of prejudice in the minds of individuals, this book argues instead that racism is a set of culturally acceptable beliefs that defend the advantages whites have obtained in American society. The book is based on five chapters of interviews. The second edition is updated with a new preface, introduction, and epilogue that take into account both the recent sociological theorizing about racism and new research by Wellman.Preface to the Second Edition; Preface to the First Edition; 1. Introduction to the second edition; 2. Prejudiced people are not the only racists in America; 3. From theory to research and back again - a methodological discussion; 4. 'I favour anything that doesn't affect me personally' Gene Danich; 5. 'The trouble is all this suspicion between us' Darlene Kurier; 6. 'If I could do it, why can't they do it?' Dick Wilson; 7. 'Convincing people that this is a racist country is like selling soap - if agitators say it enough times people will believe it' John Harper; 8. 'There wouldn't be any problems if people's heads were in the right place'; 9. Toward a sociology of white racism; 10. Epilogue: from Bensonhurst to Berkeley; 11. Appendix: interview guide; 12. Bibliography; 13. Index. Timely, provocative, and challenging. The Reader's Catalog Bulletin ...Wellman provides insight on how thlS)