The Cost of Privilege: Taking On the System of White Supremacy and Racism (Paperback)

~ (Author), Malcolm Goff (Illustrator) "In order for there to be white supremacy, there has to be a white race..." (more)
Key Phrases: organizational measures, strong black man, oppressed nationality peoples, United States, African American, World War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

As a teacher, I see this book as a dream text for a high school or university course on racism; as an activist myself, I see it as an organizing manual. But the general reader can be assured that this is a well-written and reliable book on a subject that everyday is becoming more urgent. --Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Product Description

The Cost of Privilege takes readers from the creation of the white race over three centuries ago to the present-day myth of a colorblind society; from the intersections of class, gender, and race to the concrete benefits and harsh underside of the privileges white people experience every day; from the victories when people allied across the color line to the failures of some of those alliances to hold; from personal transformations to international struggles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Camino Press (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979182808
• ISBN-13: 978-0979182808
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #702,647 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!!!, March 18, 2007

By	Loretta Johnson (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a well-written, very comprehensive look at racism and white supremacy and their effects on individuals and organizations. I really recommended it! Chapters from this book can be read all by themselves (like the 1st chapter about the origins of the white race), and they can also be used as training materials for activists or educators. There's a great section on patriarchy and really useful sections about personal transformation and building unity for white activists. This has been a very valuable book and great resource for me!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Analysis/Lessons for the Present, May 20, 2007

By	Garret Virchick (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Chip Smith offers a wealth of historical and political insight to the subject of race in America. As an urban public school teacher and union activist this book offers an analysis of the past to help us define a path for taking on systemic racism in the 21st century.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Struggle for Justice, August 19, 2007

By	Michael Meiselman (Central Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone interested in the struggle for justice must read this book. A comprehensive and compelling telling and analysis of people's struggle and the key issue of race. Did I mention it is readable? It kept my attention! Humor and fascinating factoids throughout. Unfortunately, the struggles of people with disabilities are not included. But otherwise, this is one of the most enlightening books around!