Customer Reviews

Voices of Pain & Voices of Hope: Students Speak About Racism

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4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a collection of stories from students who voice their personal struggles, express their pain, and address the injustice they have encountered due to racism in today's society. Their powerful stories touch on changing physical appearances, names, and accents in order to conform to the standards set by white dominance. Once you read this book it will open your eyes to the existing glass ceilings, the unspoken inequalities, and prejudices people are faced with on a daily basis. Through Voices of Pain Voices of Hope Dr. Jerome Rabow explores issues such as superiority amongst white dominance and the ideology of increasing your own value, and position at the expense of those from your won race, and others. His writing is both informative and powerful. Jerome Rabow sheds light on the issues America has been struggling with, and acknowledges the pain of those who have encountered racism. This by far is an exceptional book many can learn and benefit from.

This book is hands down, one of the most amazing, inspirational books I've read in a long time. Many college students would benefit from reading this book. Rabow takes a look at institutionalized racism on one of the most premiere campuses in the United States: UCLA. Taken from the wordss of college students themselves, this book is revolutionary and should be read by everyone.

This book is an amazing book, and it's filled with lots of good infomation on the class that it's based after along with the movie that has the same name. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for good insight.

Overall, easy transaction. The book is very touchy on provoking emotions from the reader. The published stories in the book are very eyeopening and realistic. Sender made the transaction easy to work with.

I had the "opportunity" to take a "racism" class with Professor Fenelon (forwards page vii and iv) who uses this book as required text.

The main theme of the book is that the dominant/privileged "white" (man usually) yields an ever growing paintbrush that he uses to mask the entire country with his racist dominance. Thus, no matter if you do not believe yourself to participate in some form of racist thinking, no matter your race, the white paint has already enveloped the country--and you as well. He indirectly makes the point that even races other than white use the white paintbrush to demote those who are different in their own race and other races on the hierarchical scale.

The book also makes the point that the racist people who are described in the testimonies are actually the spokespersons for the rest of the "true white ideology," or are they are the direct effect of corruption by the white ideology. Those who are not as vocal don't necessarily disagree with the comments and beliefs but are only silent because of fear of obtaining the title of "racist."


Frankly, the book is over the top. The testimonials are all very similar and (sorry if you don't believe me) exaggerated. Is there still racism in America--yes; has the government and the society been actively fighting against discriminatory actions--yes; will racism ever die out--no.

The problem I have with this book is that it depicts the white race as being inherently evil. Where all the negative comments made by whites are evidence enough for labeling themselves as victims. There are numerous accounts depicting the dominant white run society negatively effecting children and students and spouses and parents and siblings.....No matter what way you turn it the white man is at fault for someones hurt feelings.

The solution
THe white man needs 1)to overcome denial 2)become aware of privilege 3) the minorities need to stop hating themselves 4) everyone needs to become aware of self involvement.