I ordered this book after watching an interview with Dr. Archie -- whose ideas really impressed me. I normally read popular fiction so I was a bit concerned that a book about race by a philosopher might be beyond me. However, I found the work very accessible. The book's intro gives a nice roadmap of the text. The first part discusses various early thinkers on virtue and character. Then how these concepts influenced early African American thinkers and writer is explored culminating in the Brown v. Bd of Education decision ending separate but equal. Then Dr. Archie explores modern day acclaimed "thinkers" on race and how their rejection of color-blindness has hurt the black community -- actually all communities. He ends with a discussion of why a return to judging a person by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin is where we should be heading. I really like also that at the end he provide reference materials. Dialogue between a Master and Slave that impacted young enslaved Frederick Douglass, the declaration of independence and the constitution and finally a 1860 discussion by Frederick Douglass "The Constitution of the United States: Is It Pro-Slavery or Anti-Slavery?" Footnotes are also included if you get interested in a certain point.
After reading the Virtue of Color-Blindness my own eyes were open to the casual use of the baked in racism meme in various articles as the basis for avoiding a hard look at real causes of problems in communities of color. A study shows that more black women are murdered by far than white women -- the answer -- it's the intractable problem resulting from the racist history of America. No mention of any real analysis -- just trot out the same old excuse and move on. Nothing to see here and the only thing to be done is give more money to BLM. Lazy. Intellectually lazy.
I highly recommend the book. It is not long and a pretty quick read. I did stop to underline things from time to time that really struck me. Let me end with one I noted: "...Ellison suggests that there is not much difference between a white liberal and a segregationist: [the white liberal] would designate the role which Negro writers are to play more rigidly than any Southern politician...." -- Or today, Democrat politician.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
