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The Last Plantation: Racism and Resistance in the Halls of Congress
A revealing look at the covert and institutionalized racism lurking in the congressional workplace
Racism continues to infuse Congress’s daily practice of lawmaking and shape who obtains congressional employment. In this timely and provocative book, James Jones reveals how and why many who work in Congress call it the “Last Plantation.” He shows that even as the civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1960s and antidiscrimination laws were implemented across the nation, Congress remained exempt from federal workplace protections for decades. These exemptions institutionalized inequality in the congressional workplace well into the twenty-first century.
Combining groundbreaking research and compelling firsthand accounts from scores of congressional staffers, Jones uncovers the hidden dynamics of power, privilege, and resistance in Congress. He reveals how failures of racial representation among congressional staffers reverberate throughout the American political system and demonstrates how the absence of diverse perspectives hampers the creation of just legislation. Centering the experiences of Black workers within this complex landscape, he provides valuable insights into the problems they face, the barriers that hinder their progress, and the ways they contest entrenched inequality.
A must-read for anyone concerned about social justice and the future of our democracy, The Last Plantation exposes the mechanisms that perpetuate racial inequality in the halls of Congress and challenges us to confront and transform this unequal workplace that shapes our politics and society.
Racism continues to infuse Congress’s daily practice of lawmaking and shape who obtains congressional employment. In this timely and provocative book, James Jones reveals how and why many who work in Congress call it the “Last Plantation.” He shows that even as the civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1960s and antidiscrimination laws were implemented across the nation, Congress remained exempt from federal workplace protections for decades. These exemptions institutionalized inequality in the congressional workplace well into the twenty-first century.
Combining groundbreaking research and compelling firsthand accounts from scores of congressional staffers, Jones uncovers the hidden dynamics of power, privilege, and resistance in Congress. He reveals how failures of racial representation among congressional staffers reverberate throughout the American political system and demonstrates how the absence of diverse perspectives hampers the creation of just legislation. Centering the experiences of Black workers within this complex landscape, he provides valuable insights into the problems they face, the barriers that hinder their progress, and the ways they contest entrenched inequality.
A must-read for anyone concerned about social justice and the future of our democracy, The Last Plantation exposes the mechanisms that perpetuate racial inequality in the halls of Congress and challenges us to confront and transform this unequal workplace that shapes our politics and society.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 13, 2024
The title got my attention. While I am aware of the issues of working in Congress (you may have heard of the popular social media account Dear White Staffers), I was curious to read more about it. Representation matters and that includes in the halls of Congress, whose founders were slaveowners or had members who went to war over slavery, etc. So I was very curious to see what the author said.
Jones talks about the experiences of working in Congress, and how it can be a difficult experience. You still hear stories of non-white male staffers (or even Congresspeople!) who are questioned or even berated for being in the "wrong" place even if they have their ID and are currently employed at the office and have every right to be in that hallway or wherever. This reverberates in the legislation and work Congress produces: it is not a surprise that we had laws that continued and continue to uphold racism and white supremacy.
Jones talks to staffers, looks at historical accounts, examines statistics, the history of Congress, etc. to build his case. And it is certainly detailed (and if you have ever followed the DWS account you'll recognize similar stories). It is pretty frustrating, if not surprising to read--the country is not populated by any sole one group and both its elected officials and their staff should reflect that. It is not a surprise it doesn't.
However, the book is not without criticism. I understood the thesis, acknowledge there is a ton of good and useful information here, but it was dull. It read very much like a thesis that had been turned into a book and unfortunately it does not work. I certainly was not looking for a super gossipy text filled with blind items which can let you guess which Congressperson this might be about but it was still frustrating to read anyway.
It was still worth the read, though, and I would recommend this for anyone who is considering working in Congress, has worked in Congress, wants to make Congress work *better*, etc. This latter part is extremely important: Congressional staffers are not well-paid and not well-treated (and that is not only regarding racism, sexism, etc.) and turnover is high. Addressing at least even some of the topics and issues Jones covers could go a long way in making the body better.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me. Would recommend it as a purchase for Congresspeople, career centers. If you're just curious would say a library borrow would be a safer bet.
Jones talks about the experiences of working in Congress, and how it can be a difficult experience. You still hear stories of non-white male staffers (or even Congresspeople!) who are questioned or even berated for being in the "wrong" place even if they have their ID and are currently employed at the office and have every right to be in that hallway or wherever. This reverberates in the legislation and work Congress produces: it is not a surprise that we had laws that continued and continue to uphold racism and white supremacy.
Jones talks to staffers, looks at historical accounts, examines statistics, the history of Congress, etc. to build his case. And it is certainly detailed (and if you have ever followed the DWS account you'll recognize similar stories). It is pretty frustrating, if not surprising to read--the country is not populated by any sole one group and both its elected officials and their staff should reflect that. It is not a surprise it doesn't.
However, the book is not without criticism. I understood the thesis, acknowledge there is a ton of good and useful information here, but it was dull. It read very much like a thesis that had been turned into a book and unfortunately it does not work. I certainly was not looking for a super gossipy text filled with blind items which can let you guess which Congressperson this might be about but it was still frustrating to read anyway.
It was still worth the read, though, and I would recommend this for anyone who is considering working in Congress, has worked in Congress, wants to make Congress work *better*, etc. This latter part is extremely important: Congressional staffers are not well-paid and not well-treated (and that is not only regarding racism, sexism, etc.) and turnover is high. Addressing at least even some of the topics and issues Jones covers could go a long way in making the body better.
Borrowed from the library and that was best for me. Would recommend it as a purchase for Congresspeople, career centers. If you're just curious would say a library borrow would be a safer bet.
August 25, 2024
A good book to describe and validate what I have often thought regarding the lack of diversity in Congress and the White House. From the beginning, the White House was built and supported by a largely Master owned Plantation. Racial Institutions don’t change, they adapt. I live my life looking and recognizing all people by making eye contact in passing. For Blacks it is called the
Black Nod. I am with you in your struggle.
Black Nod. I am with you in your struggle.
December 12, 2025
I'm a (mostly*) white political staffer, and I work campaign-side rather than official-side. My work has mostly been on all or mostly white teams, and I have had little chance to change the (predominantly white) racial makeup of my colleagues because of my junior role.
However, my upcoming job will be one where I am presented with greater opportunities to hire a diverse staff, and this book has made me even more determined to make sure that I fulfill that promise. One of the heart-wrenching things I read in the book was how much of the onus on building a better future is on the shoulders of black staffers-- and how black staffers have felt pressure to not speak up in meetings on "black issues" to avoid being pigeon-holed. White staffers have failed to elevate these issues, and failed to do the work to make sure that black colleagues advance. I want to be a part of changing that, and I am grateful for Mr. Jones for giving me and like-minded colleagues data that we can use to demonstrate how this is a recurring and institutional problem-- and help build a better and more diverse workforce.
This book has provided data and weight behind what I've often seen in my own experience-- that staff positions are disproportionately held by an affluent, white set of people. Though my colleagues have mostly been smart, driven, well-intentioned and progressive, they have not been diverse. I agree with the policy prescriptions that this book offers-- unionization, more open hiring policies, and accountability for when our leaders fail to hire diverse staff.
This isn't a book that I will recommend to most people. But for my colleagues who work in politics-- particularly those who have a responsibility for hiring and promoting-- I think this book is a must-read.
*nobody notices my part-Arab ancestry, so I rarely experience the effects of racism against that minority. If someone slights Arabs in a conversation with me, they probably did it assuming that I am just a regular white guy. That's also part of my ancestry but not the whole part.
However, my upcoming job will be one where I am presented with greater opportunities to hire a diverse staff, and this book has made me even more determined to make sure that I fulfill that promise. One of the heart-wrenching things I read in the book was how much of the onus on building a better future is on the shoulders of black staffers-- and how black staffers have felt pressure to not speak up in meetings on "black issues" to avoid being pigeon-holed. White staffers have failed to elevate these issues, and failed to do the work to make sure that black colleagues advance. I want to be a part of changing that, and I am grateful for Mr. Jones for giving me and like-minded colleagues data that we can use to demonstrate how this is a recurring and institutional problem-- and help build a better and more diverse workforce.
This book has provided data and weight behind what I've often seen in my own experience-- that staff positions are disproportionately held by an affluent, white set of people. Though my colleagues have mostly been smart, driven, well-intentioned and progressive, they have not been diverse. I agree with the policy prescriptions that this book offers-- unionization, more open hiring policies, and accountability for when our leaders fail to hire diverse staff.
This isn't a book that I will recommend to most people. But for my colleagues who work in politics-- particularly those who have a responsibility for hiring and promoting-- I think this book is a must-read.
*nobody notices my part-Arab ancestry, so I rarely experience the effects of racism against that minority. If someone slights Arabs in a conversation with me, they probably did it assuming that I am just a regular white guy. That's also part of my ancestry but not the whole part.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews