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Race: A History Beyond Black and White
From historian Marc Aronson comes a thought-provoking, revelatory young adult nonfiction history of the origins of racism.
Race. You know it at a he’s black; she’s white. They’re Asian; we’re Latino. Racism. I’m better; she’s worse. Those people do those kinds of things. We all know it’s wrong to make these judgments, but they come faster than thought. Why? Where did those feelings come from? Why are they so powerful? Why have millions been enslaved, murdered, denied their rights because of the color of their skin, the shape of their eyes?
This astounding book traces the history of racial prejudice in Western culture back to ancient Sumer and beyond. Greeks divided the world into civilized and barbarian, medieval men wrote about the traits of monstrous men until, finally, Enlightenment scientists scrap all those mythologies and come up with a new charts spelling out the traits of human races.
Throughout most of human history, slavery had nothing to do with race. In fact, the idea of race itself did not exist in the West before the 1600s. But once the idea was established and backed up by “scientific” theory, its influence grew with devastating consequences, from the appalling lynchings in the American South to the catastrophe known as the Holocaust in Europe.
Race. You know it at a he’s black; she’s white. They’re Asian; we’re Latino. Racism. I’m better; she’s worse. Those people do those kinds of things. We all know it’s wrong to make these judgments, but they come faster than thought. Why? Where did those feelings come from? Why are they so powerful? Why have millions been enslaved, murdered, denied their rights because of the color of their skin, the shape of their eyes?
This astounding book traces the history of racial prejudice in Western culture back to ancient Sumer and beyond. Greeks divided the world into civilized and barbarian, medieval men wrote about the traits of monstrous men until, finally, Enlightenment scientists scrap all those mythologies and come up with a new charts spelling out the traits of human races.
Throughout most of human history, slavery had nothing to do with race. In fact, the idea of race itself did not exist in the West before the 1600s. But once the idea was established and backed up by “scientific” theory, its influence grew with devastating consequences, from the appalling lynchings in the American South to the catastrophe known as the Holocaust in Europe.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2007
12 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Marc Aronson
53 books83 followersAronson has won many awards for his books for young readers and has a doctorate in American history. His lectures cover educational topics such as mysteries and controversies in American history, teenagers and their reading, the literary passions of boys, and always leave audiences asking for more.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/marcar...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/marcar...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 18, 2008
Aronson develops his history of the concept of race by explaining its gradual creation through the reinforcement of four ideas, or pillars, that underlie racism:
1. Physical differences matter.
2. Bodily differences cannot change.
3. Bodily differences are inherited.
4. Each group has a distince level of brain power and moral refinement and are naturally and unchangeably ranked.
This excellently researched and written text is for young adults, but could be well used by undergraduates. There is an index, bibliography, and endnotes. Aronson also provides notes on his research method that are detailed, yet concise.
I highly recommend this text for anyone who struggles, as I do, to understand why we, as a nation, continue to make race real by using it as a divisive tool.
1. Physical differences matter.
2. Bodily differences cannot change.
3. Bodily differences are inherited.
4. Each group has a distince level of brain power and moral refinement and are naturally and unchangeably ranked.
This excellently researched and written text is for young adults, but could be well used by undergraduates. There is an index, bibliography, and endnotes. Aronson also provides notes on his research method that are detailed, yet concise.
I highly recommend this text for anyone who struggles, as I do, to understand why we, as a nation, continue to make race real by using it as a divisive tool.
October 27, 2013
A great conversation on where race comes from and where we are going with it. Gives background to the Freedom Rides, Ghandi's influence in American Civil Rights Movement, and the training Rosa Parks had before her protest. Gave insight to me on the importance of flasy bling in status. Harkens to ancient Rome when status is determined by position, not race. Flash and gold minimize race within rank of status. Interesting concepts.
January 27, 2010
I have to admit I didn't finish this book, but I felt I didn't have to. The author's premise is very clear, and he hits you over the head with it again and again: We are hard-wired for racism. As humans evolved, they had to be wary of whoever or whatever looked different than they did or else they were toast. So we came to fear those who were different, who we recognzied as different because of their physical traits. And fear of/derision toward the other was not based soley on skin color, argues Aronson. In ancient times, it was based on how one walked or spoke or dressed. Bottom line, we make distinctions based on appearance and judgement, prejudice, and discrimation follows. My question is, if we're hard-wired for racism, is it even possible to advance into a post-society?
May 4, 2018
This book was about the history of race worldwide. The novel began by explaining prejudices that humans have had for millenniums. As time went on, these prejudices evolved. For example, in Rome, your status was the indicator of what people thought of you. Race played no part. As the era of Christendom came, Christians began seeing their “uncivilized” counterparts in two lights. One group saw them as God’s creatures who needed saved. Another saw them as a group who needed to be civilized. Over time, race became more involved in this happening.
As America became a country, its founders wanted to ensure racial purity. This idea was pulled from the old European thought that the white race would die out, and that the white race was genetically predisposed to creating better civilizations. At first, this meant only allowing Northern and Western Europeans into the country. As the Irish came, they had to “prove their whiteness” by hating the African Americans. I’m distancing themselves from the African Americans, they proved to at least not be black. They were later incorporated into society as white. Similar things can be said about the Italian immigrants who came to America.
The rest of the world was evolving on race as well. Scientists came out with “proof” that whites and blacks were much different. The other races, such as the Asians, Natives, and others, were like the whites. They were inferior, however. It made sense to them. The same genes that made Africans faster in foot races made whites smarter and Asians shorter. The same genes also made Jews into nasty scum that plagued white society. History tells a tale of people acting on these prejudices, and today, they seem horribly misguided. However, that was common thought throughout the world in the past.
Now, the evidence shows that the differences between races are much less than the differences among races themselves. That is to say, there is much more variation amongst whites, or amongst blacks, then there is between whites and blacks. This suggests the notions of racism are not grounded in science.
In total, the book did a great job of detailing the genetic issues regarding racism. However, the book was a little annoying historically. Page after page would detail the harsh treatment Europeans and Christians inflicted on others. Then, a measly sentence or two would remind the reader that the groups they overtook were just as vile. For example, Britain committed atrocities in India. The book goes in depth about the abuse in India by the whites. Then, just a sentence is dedicated to detailing that India had a caste system which marginalized groups in awful manners. Both groups were wrong.
In total, I give the book a 2/5. I liked parts, but at times it was difficult to read due to the obvious anti-white bias.
As America became a country, its founders wanted to ensure racial purity. This idea was pulled from the old European thought that the white race would die out, and that the white race was genetically predisposed to creating better civilizations. At first, this meant only allowing Northern and Western Europeans into the country. As the Irish came, they had to “prove their whiteness” by hating the African Americans. I’m distancing themselves from the African Americans, they proved to at least not be black. They were later incorporated into society as white. Similar things can be said about the Italian immigrants who came to America.
The rest of the world was evolving on race as well. Scientists came out with “proof” that whites and blacks were much different. The other races, such as the Asians, Natives, and others, were like the whites. They were inferior, however. It made sense to them. The same genes that made Africans faster in foot races made whites smarter and Asians shorter. The same genes also made Jews into nasty scum that plagued white society. History tells a tale of people acting on these prejudices, and today, they seem horribly misguided. However, that was common thought throughout the world in the past.
Now, the evidence shows that the differences between races are much less than the differences among races themselves. That is to say, there is much more variation amongst whites, or amongst blacks, then there is between whites and blacks. This suggests the notions of racism are not grounded in science.
In total, the book did a great job of detailing the genetic issues regarding racism. However, the book was a little annoying historically. Page after page would detail the harsh treatment Europeans and Christians inflicted on others. Then, a measly sentence or two would remind the reader that the groups they overtook were just as vile. For example, Britain committed atrocities in India. The book goes in depth about the abuse in India by the whites. Then, just a sentence is dedicated to detailing that India had a caste system which marginalized groups in awful manners. Both groups were wrong.
In total, I give the book a 2/5. I liked parts, but at times it was difficult to read due to the obvious anti-white bias.
Read
January 4, 2025I am not sure how to rate this one. There were many parts I disagreed with and parts that I could read a bias. However, as we came into more modern history, I felt the sorrow and disappointment in humanity in the way we have treated our fellow humans. I am grateful to live in an age of more tolerance and hope for greater growth in humans loving humans and working together to improve the world instead of breaking each other down. I am grateful for multiple opportunities to live among those with differences: different beliefs, different appearances, different cultures, different priorities. It doesn't mean that one way is better. We can be different and be better because of the rich perspective and understanding that can bring.
Although I picked this book up hoping to give it a glowing review, I can't. Perhaps that is my own struggle with history. I did agree with the final chapters. We are prone to see differences and draw lines. The essence of "otherness" must be overcome.
Maybe I can give a rating at a later time, after I can reflect on these writings, but for now, I have a mixed review but not that it is a three star book. Just one to think about longer.
Although I picked this book up hoping to give it a glowing review, I can't. Perhaps that is my own struggle with history. I did agree with the final chapters. We are prone to see differences and draw lines. The essence of "otherness" must be overcome.
Maybe I can give a rating at a later time, after I can reflect on these writings, but for now, I have a mixed review but not that it is a three star book. Just one to think about longer.
October 29, 2019
I loved the writing style and tone used in this book. It really makes the reader stop and think.
Although the book as a whole is important reading, I believe the final two chapters, the section titled "May Be of Any Race," is really the most important. Think about it. The subtitle of the book is "history beyond black and white". Think about the message of the book's final paragraph: "We can choose...The choice is not easy...At best we can pause...That pause, that instant of reflection, is a gift given to us by those people of courage who resisted the prejudices of their day..."
Just think. That's the whole point.
Although the book as a whole is important reading, I believe the final two chapters, the section titled "May Be of Any Race," is really the most important. Think about it. The subtitle of the book is "history beyond black and white". Think about the message of the book's final paragraph: "We can choose...The choice is not easy...At best we can pause...That pause, that instant of reflection, is a gift given to us by those people of courage who resisted the prejudices of their day..."
Just think. That's the whole point.
March 1, 2018
Very interesting and readable account of prejudice throughout history, including theories of why race and prejudice continue to be problems today.
March 30, 2019
This book is classified as a Young Adult read but there were parts that I had trouble understanding. It was an interesting look at racism, slavery, and how our society has evolved over the years.
July 3, 2019
Wow! Very interesting reading!
April 7, 2023
Interesting book. Well-written.
November 4, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
When the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, the members of the General Congress of the then thirteen United States of America declared: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."
Did they mean it? Does anyone who says it now, that "all men are created equal," really mean it? Exactly what importance does race play in how we are treated, in how we are perceived, and in how we treat and perceive others? What, exactly, is race to begin with?
Is race defined by the color of our skin? Are we White or Black, Hispanic or Asian, Indian or Arabic? Or is race based on where our ancestors originated from? Are we Greek or Roman, Polish or European? Or, in fact, is race based on our religious beliefs? Are we Christian, Muslim, Jewish?
Marc Aronson has no clear-cut answers, and neither does science or history. The true fact of the matter is that race is a belief, and everyone believes differently. Just as racial prejudice is a learned mindset, so is how we view race. There have always been, and probably always will be, those human beings who see other humans as inferior. Although we can hope that one day prejudice will be a thing of the past, I don't think that anyone, when being completely honest with themselves, hasn't fallen victim at least once to being prejudicial to another person based on some idea of race.
RACE is a fascinating look into the history of the human belief system as regards to the teachings of race in all of its disguises, whether the color of our skin, our ethnic background, or our religion. It's a great learning tool that would be well used in classrooms or as independent study for anyone who wishes to study the matter further.
When the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, the members of the General Congress of the then thirteen United States of America declared: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."
Did they mean it? Does anyone who says it now, that "all men are created equal," really mean it? Exactly what importance does race play in how we are treated, in how we are perceived, and in how we treat and perceive others? What, exactly, is race to begin with?
Is race defined by the color of our skin? Are we White or Black, Hispanic or Asian, Indian or Arabic? Or is race based on where our ancestors originated from? Are we Greek or Roman, Polish or European? Or, in fact, is race based on our religious beliefs? Are we Christian, Muslim, Jewish?
Marc Aronson has no clear-cut answers, and neither does science or history. The true fact of the matter is that race is a belief, and everyone believes differently. Just as racial prejudice is a learned mindset, so is how we view race. There have always been, and probably always will be, those human beings who see other humans as inferior. Although we can hope that one day prejudice will be a thing of the past, I don't think that anyone, when being completely honest with themselves, hasn't fallen victim at least once to being prejudicial to another person based on some idea of race.
RACE is a fascinating look into the history of the human belief system as regards to the teachings of race in all of its disguises, whether the color of our skin, our ethnic background, or our religion. It's a great learning tool that would be well used in classrooms or as independent study for anyone who wishes to study the matter further.
August 11, 2009
Genre
Informational /Non- Fiction
Awards
None Found
Star Rating
3 stars
Grade Level
10-12th
Evaluation
Race by Marc Aronson is a nonfiction book about the human roots of prejudice. The content is clear and the author covers the history of all the races, which gives the reader an unbiased presentation. He almost throws off his unbiased perspective in the beginning, when he talks about himself being prejudice, but the information is not presented in a way to support what he stated in the beginning of the book. The writing is not at all preachy; it is just the facts, similar to reading a textbook. The content is well organized into the different cultures/races and talks about them one by one. The author, Aronson has a doctorate in American History, and he has an essay that has been published in New York Times Book Review. The book has a table of context and an index that may aid the comprehension of the reader. There are also images that aid in the reading. There is a detailed account of where he got his information from in the notes section starting on page 273 followed by the bibliography section that runs from 303-312, listing enough sources for one to come to the conclusion that the author has done his research.
Description of the ending
The ending is open, leaving this huge issue of prejudice still alive today. The book did not solve the problem, it just reinforced the presence of the issue and left the reading wondering, how do we solve this? Can it even been solved?
Below a website that I found while looking for awards. It has additional information about the author as well as teacher guides! The study guide for Race was written by a teacher in Port Orange, FL
http://www.marcaronson.com/
Informational /Non- Fiction
Awards
None Found
Star Rating
3 stars
Grade Level
10-12th
Evaluation
Race by Marc Aronson is a nonfiction book about the human roots of prejudice. The content is clear and the author covers the history of all the races, which gives the reader an unbiased presentation. He almost throws off his unbiased perspective in the beginning, when he talks about himself being prejudice, but the information is not presented in a way to support what he stated in the beginning of the book. The writing is not at all preachy; it is just the facts, similar to reading a textbook. The content is well organized into the different cultures/races and talks about them one by one. The author, Aronson has a doctorate in American History, and he has an essay that has been published in New York Times Book Review. The book has a table of context and an index that may aid the comprehension of the reader. There are also images that aid in the reading. There is a detailed account of where he got his information from in the notes section starting on page 273 followed by the bibliography section that runs from 303-312, listing enough sources for one to come to the conclusion that the author has done his research.
Description of the ending
The ending is open, leaving this huge issue of prejudice still alive today. The book did not solve the problem, it just reinforced the presence of the issue and left the reading wondering, how do we solve this? Can it even been solved?
Below a website that I found while looking for awards. It has additional information about the author as well as teacher guides! The study guide for Race was written by a teacher in Port Orange, FL
http://www.marcaronson.com/
October 8, 2014
The story Race talks about the ideas of how racial hatred started. It talks about ideas from Ancient Greece like stories based on different races such as how Ethiopians(Africans) were dark skinned because of the presence of evil such as demons. Jews were considered evil and were identified as bearded men with large noses and wore funnel shaped hats. The Romans believed in conquering and allowed people who lived outside of Rome to become citizens. This was unusual and different from Greece. Rome cared little about race, for example, a dark-skinned African could become a powerful general. People would notice his skills not his skin color.
I believe this book was a great for reading. I really enjoyed how it went into great detail about the ideas of how race started. This story also talks about why these ideas came up onto people’s attention such as influence by religious text.
I think this would be a good book to read because the story talks about the origins of race. It also talks about how the idea grew in power over the centuries. This growth in power has cost people their lives.
April 7, 2008
The idea that people belong to distinct biological races is a relatively new concept. This is only one of the many pieces of knowledge I absorbed from reading this book. "Race" is an enlightening book. It starts in the ancient world and ends in the present world.
Has racism always existed? Where did it begin? Has racism always been based on the colour of skin? Why does it still exist? Marc Aronson attempts to answer these questions and he does so with great success.
“Race” opened my mind to the origins of race and how it has changed throughout the history of earth. May all who read this book realize the importance of all people in battling racism.
Has racism always existed? Where did it begin? Has racism always been based on the colour of skin? Why does it still exist? Marc Aronson attempts to answer these questions and he does so with great success.
“Race” opened my mind to the origins of race and how it has changed throughout the history of earth. May all who read this book realize the importance of all people in battling racism.
May 15, 2012
Race was a great book, but not wonderful. Marc Aronson does a great job in including as much facts and knowledge as he could regarding the concept of race, where it started, and examples all over the world. To really enjoy this book the reader must like history because Race goes through time 100 b.c. to present .Race talked about the racial conflicts that happened in between all over the world. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves history. In my personal opinion, Race does not deserve 5 stars, yet it does not deserve one. It deserves three stars, because Race is very intriguing but does not have worthwhile facts. It is spoken like a history lesson.
January 25, 2008
So much is covered in only 269 pages - Aronson doesn't attempt to go into great depth, but instead weaves events throughout the history of the western world (from ancient Sumeria to modern New Jersey) into a mostly cohesive narrative. He asks a lot of provacative questions, and encourages teens to think about their own prejudices while confronting his own. I like that Aronson speaks directly to teens. The back matter is helpful. The many black and white (ha!) photos and illustrations sprinkled throughout the text make it very browsable.
December 23, 2008
While Marc Aronson raises some excellent historical connections in this book (especially in tracing the history of "the other" from ancient civilizations through the eugenics of the 20th century), his writing sometimes felt self-consciously observant. He mentioned offhand some of the literature that furthered/revealed the zeitgeist of the time in terms of race, but didn't always go into the detail I would have liked. Overall, worth reading, even if at times the historian's presence is a bit too strongly felt.
October 29, 2015
This book is amazing. It really captured the reader with clear history and religious references. I love the way everything was worded. It was very clear and gave lots of perspective on the human race. very vivid and compelling. Never have I read a book that talks so openly about race, and has so many differences and views. It changes the way I look at society. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about how racism became and really even how the human bran works, true piece of art.
March 6, 2017
In interesting take on a contentious subject. Race traces the history of western attitudes about race from the Greco-Roman times, through medieval Europe, American slavery and the Civil War, the Holocaust, the Civil Rights movement and up to the present. I liked this book, but I was somewhat turned off by what I perceived to be a over-simplification explanations of certain historical information, occasionally to the point of inaccuracy. This book is written for high school students, so the effort to simplify is mostly understandable.
April 5, 2010
review review... This book started out okay, but then I lost interest and had to mull through the other 100 some pages. It probably wasn't the book, it was probably more so my remarkably short attention span.
When you are a member of the minority, race plays a part in everything you do once you step outside the door from the moment you come into this world. I guess I just started to see this book as a huge 'Duhh'. Except the syntax was a lot more refined.
When you are a member of the minority, race plays a part in everything you do once you step outside the door from the moment you come into this world. I guess I just started to see this book as a huge 'Duhh'. Except the syntax was a lot more refined.
Read
December 15, 2012This is a great book for sociology or contemporary issues–type classes. It’s length and complexity would require more mature readers; however, its language and written style is very accessible and engaging. This book would be appropriate for excerpting, especially the section on looking at race in modern textbooks, which would likely provoke excellent discussion and be of high interest to students.
June 8, 2008
This book overviews the ways that terms such as "white" "black" "yellow" etc. have evolved and changed throughout historical points in time.
Easy to read over a weekend. It is about high school level reading, so for those more interested in this topic, finding another book might quench your thirst for knowledge on the subject.
Easy to read over a weekend. It is about high school level reading, so for those more interested in this topic, finding another book might quench your thirst for knowledge on the subject.
September 10, 2010
A really interesting history of how the concept of race developed. Because race is so completely a part of our culture, it's hard to imagine a world without that concept, but Aronson traces the development of the idea which didn't really come about fully until the 1600s-1700s. Absolutely fascinating reading for adults and youth about age 12+.
October 2, 2011
I found this to be an important and interesting book, but a difficult slog to trudge through. Granted, historical texts are not my strong suit and this one followed the historical origins of race pretty far back. I'm glad I read it and would recommend it, but the reader would have to be committed.
August 16, 2012
I wavered between 2 and 3 stars but 2 it is. The topic is such an important one and there were some really good discussions about race but it was oversimplistic and was too Eurocentric. Hardly any voices from Africa, Asia, or Australia. I did like that the author encourages us to look at our own ideas of race in order to redefine "race" in the future for the better of all people.
February 25, 2009
Marc Aronson is my new favorite nonfiction writer! I picked "Race" out of the "review me" bookcart at the South Sound Book Review Council and was promptly blown away. He's quite good. I am also reading his book about the Salem witch hunts, and another one he wrote on YA lit.
January 24, 2013
A really good starting point for learning about race and prejudice. The author points out in the beginning that it's okay to disagree with his views which for me was a nice and a little scary, I'm not used to being told to think for myself when reading non-fiction. : )
February 6, 2017
Liked its' readability. It's a historical investigation of the concept of "race" rather than solely a scientific one, which is better since our experience of it psychological. Thoughtful with interesting ideas.
July 8, 2008
Fascinating, readable history of race. Thought provoking.
September 14, 2008
good pics
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews