Description
Book SynopsisPhilosophers have separated the subjects of ethics and race. But every issue concerning race is an ethical issue. Ethics and Race approaches historical and contemporary issues of race and racism, on an ethical/moral foundation that the student is encouraged to think with.
The 24 chapters encompass the history of race in ideas and events, including both law and culture. Throughout the book, race is inclusively discussed––black, white, Asian, Native American. Topics within the book are coherently organized through six sections: I. Ideas and History of Race, II, Law and Policy, III, Social Institutions, IV Social Disruptions, V. Identity and Representation, VI, The National and International World. Key features include the following: Up to date scientific findings concerning race are clearly explained, to add to reasoning from the ethical foundation; Affirmative Action and Diversity, as well as current events from protests from Left and Right, and police killings are addressed; The relevance of race to the effects of disaster and climate change is explained; White privilege is considered and white racial status is introduced as an important factor that has led to current political impasse and cultural oppositions; Racial identity, included mixed race is considered, as is race and gender and media representation.
Ethics and Race mainly addresses race and race relations in the United States, but international issues and examples are included. Humanism, as derived from global thought is proposed in the final chapter. However, while Ethics and Race treats issues of race as a moral subject, with suggested moral foundations, the student is not told what to conclude on any of these issues. This is an important opportunity, through thought, discussion, and writing questions, for the student to think through contemporary issues concerning race, on explicit moral foundations, and construct their own chains of reasonings. Students may also bring in their own experience, as relevant.
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments
Part I: Ideas and History of Race
1. What are Ethics and Race?
What is Ethics?
What is Race?
“Judged by the Content of Their Character”
2. Democracy and Social Ethics
Race, Friendship, and Marriage
The Tragedy of the Commons
The Common Good
3. The History of Race and Racism
Racism as Ideology
The History of Ideas of Race
White Supremacy and Eugenics
4. Science and Race
Moral Reasoning and Race
Race in Society and Social Science
The Lack of Physical Biology in Race
Intellectual Virtue, Science, and Race
Part II: Law and Policy
5. Civil Rights and Political Rights
The US Civil Rights Movement
The Voting Rights Act and Its Reversals
Welfare as Positive Rights
6. Immigration
US Immigration Before and After 1965
The Moral Issue of DACA
7. Affirmative Action and Diversity
The History of Affirmative Action and Diversity
Affirmative Action and Diversity Today: Comparisons and Pros and Cons
8. Compensation, Reparation, Rectification, and Reconciliation
Compensation
Reparation
Rectification
Reconciliation
Part III: Social Institutions
9. The US Criminal Justice System
Punishment
Demographics
Reform Projects Impacting Prisoners of Color
10. Police Reform
Police Actions in High-Profile Killings
US Supreme Court Rulings and Police Impunity
Police Reform and Its Obstacles
11. Dignity, Income, and Wealth
Racial Minorities and Economic Dignity
Income
Wealth
12. Education
The Structure of the US Educational System
Leisure Versus Work
Controversial Content
13. Health and Disability
Disparities in Racial and Ethnic Health
Wellness and Food
Disabilities and Mental Health
Part IV: Social Disruptions
14. Everyday Racism
Place Segregation
Anti-Racist Coping Strategies
Microaggression
White Privilege and White Status
15. Hate Speech and Hate Crimes
Hate Speech
Hate Crimes
Reporting and Punishing Hate Crimes
16. Protests from the Left and Right
Protests from the Left
Protests from the Right
Do Protests Work?
Part V: Identity and Representation
17. Mixed Race
Mixed Race and Social Construction
The Importance of the One-Drop Rule
Moral Aspects of Mixed-Race Identity
18. Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
Complexities of Jewish Identity
Resistant Indigenous Identity
Cosmopolitan Ideals
19. Intersectionality and Gender
Black Women’s Recognition
Constructions of Black Male Gender
Latina identities
20. Representation in Media and Society
Latina Representation
Asian-American Representation
Memorials for African Americans and Native Americans
21. Sport
How Racism in Sport has Mirrored Society
Vulnerabilities of Athletes
How Star Athletes Have Spoken Out Against Injustice
Part VI – The Natural and International World
22. Natural Disaster
Disaster and Racial Social Construction
Preparation
Comparing Harvey and Maria
23. COVID-19
Increasingly Violent Racism Against Asian Americans and Jewish Americans
Pandemic Effects on African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx Americans, and Native Americans
24. Global Issues and Humanitarianism
The Capabilities Approach
The Human Security Paradigm
Climate Change and Humanity
Glossary
About the Author
