The Scar of Race

This slim book should go a long way to demystify the way Americans think about race. -- Tamar Jacoby * New Republic *
The Scar of Race adds a needed perspective. It will advance discussion among specialists in the area and contribute to current efforts to understand the tenacious forces of race and racism in national politics. -- Lawrence Bobo * American Political Science Review *
In these troubling times when conflict between blacks and whites and blacks and Jews is so much a part of our everyday lives, The Scar of Race offers a measure of hope for those of us brave enough to admit that there is still much to be learned about the nature of race and prejudice in American society. Beautifully written and cogently argued, this important book should be read and reread by all who seek a better understanding of the world around us. -- Carol M. Swain, Princeton University
Lots of ordinary folks know it, but it’s not the sort of thing social scientists tend to say: When it comes to questions of public policy, few whites are racists. Whites may oppose particular items on the standard civil rights agenda, but they’re not bigots. That’s the main point…in The Scar of Race and it’s a stinging rebuke to the cultural elite that generally thinks otherwise. ‘It is time to look again at how Americans think about the issue of race,’ Sniderman and Piazza write. They’ve looked again and found not only change but an ongoing openness to change. It’s a heartening message in a beautifully crafted book. -- Abigail Thernstrom * Wall Street Journal *
This book is an important addition to recent literature…[which] provides a new and distinctive perspective on the contemporary politics of race. -- Robert Singh * American Politics Review [UK] *