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Racist Logic
The history of international banking, the commodification of black masculinity, the buying and selling of women's eggs, Michelle Obama's dubious advice to black youth, and the workings of affirmative action at elite universities viewed through the lens of racial capitalism.
In Racist Logic, lead essayist Donna Murch writes that “historically, the division between 'dope' and medicine was the race and class of users.” By using the concept of “racial capitalism” to examine the opioid crisis alongside the War on Drugs, Murch brings an otherwise familiar story into new territory. To understand the twisted logic that created the divergent responses to drug use—succor and sympathy for white users, prison and expulsion for people of color—Murch shows how a racialized regime of drug prohibitions led Purdue Pharma to market OxyContin specifically to whites.
Alongside Murch, contributors consider how racial capitalism helps us understand the history of international banking, the commodification of black masculinity, the buying and selling of women's eggs, Michelle Obama's dubious advice to black youth, and the workings of affirmative action at elite universities.
Contributors
Michael Collins, Richard Thompson Ford, Helena Hansen, David Herzberg, Peter James Hudson, Jonathan Kahn, L.A. Kauffman, Julilly Kohler-Hausmann, Jordanna Matlon, Max Mishler, Donna Murch, Julie Netherland, Britt Rusert, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Alys Eve Weinbaum
In Racist Logic, lead essayist Donna Murch writes that “historically, the division between 'dope' and medicine was the race and class of users.” By using the concept of “racial capitalism” to examine the opioid crisis alongside the War on Drugs, Murch brings an otherwise familiar story into new territory. To understand the twisted logic that created the divergent responses to drug use—succor and sympathy for white users, prison and expulsion for people of color—Murch shows how a racialized regime of drug prohibitions led Purdue Pharma to market OxyContin specifically to whites.
Alongside Murch, contributors consider how racial capitalism helps us understand the history of international banking, the commodification of black masculinity, the buying and selling of women's eggs, Michelle Obama's dubious advice to black youth, and the workings of affirmative action at elite universities.
Contributors
Michael Collins, Richard Thompson Ford, Helena Hansen, David Herzberg, Peter James Hudson, Jonathan Kahn, L.A. Kauffman, Julilly Kohler-Hausmann, Jordanna Matlon, Max Mishler, Donna Murch, Julie Netherland, Britt Rusert, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Alys Eve Weinbaum
- GenresRace
128 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2019
1 person is currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 20, 2020
Systemic racism is everywhere. It affects everyone's lives. It especially affects in a profoundly advantageous way your life if your are white, most of the times without even noticing it, by being manifested as a standardised social habit.
In conjunction with capitalism, systemic racism has become a powerful tool for preserving the power of the few and for widening inequalities even more. It is used to disorient the lower economic and social classes by pointing towards a false and nonexistent foe.
The book focuses on issues related mainly to the USA's reality, nevertheless it offers food for thought for everyone.
In conjunction with capitalism, systemic racism has become a powerful tool for preserving the power of the few and for widening inequalities even more. It is used to disorient the lower economic and social classes by pointing towards a false and nonexistent foe.
The book focuses on issues related mainly to the USA's reality, nevertheless it offers food for thought for everyone.
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March 19, 2025Book Review: Racist Logic
Editors: Donna Murch et al.
Publisher: University of California Press, 2022
ISBN: 978-0520376680
“Racist Logic,” edited by Donna Murch and an extensive list of contributors, presents a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the ways in which racial ideologies shape and are shaped by various institutional and cultural practices in contemporary society. This anthology brings together a diverse group of scholars who explore the intersections of race, class, law, and politics, offering readers a multifaceted perspective on the pervasive nature of racism and its impact on social structures and individual lives.
The editors introduce the concept of “racist logic” as a lens through which to analyze the ways in which racial categories are constructed, maintained, and mobilized within various contexts. The contributors effectively illustrate that racism is not merely an individual prejudice but a systemic and deeply entrenched logic that permeates institutions such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and the economy. By framing racism as a mode of reasoning that informs policy decisions and social interactions, the book challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of race and its implications for justice and equity.
One of the notable strengths of “Racist Logic” is its interdisciplinary approach. The anthology includes contributions from experts in fields ranging from sociology and law to history and public health, allowing for a rich exploration of the topic from multiple vantage points. This breadth of scholarship situates the discussion of racism within a broader socio-political context, highlighting the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression and resistance. The inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives not only enriches the text but also underscores the complexity of racial dynamics in American society.
The essays within the anthology are characterized by their rigorous theoretical engagement and empirical analysis. Contributors such as Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Peter James Hudson provide insightful examinations of the historical foundations of racist logic and its contemporary manifestations, addressing issues like policing, housing discrimination, and public health disparities. These analyses are bolstered by case studies and data, grounding theoretical concepts in real-world examples that illustrate the urgency of addressing systemic racism.
Moreover, the book addresses the role of language and representation in perpetuating racist logic. Several contributors explore how racialized language in policy discourse and media narratives contributes to the normalization of discriminatory practices. This focus on discourse highlights the power of language in shaping public perception and policy, making a strong case for the necessity of critical engagement with the ways in which racial categories are articulated and understood.
However, while the anthology provides a comprehensive overview of racist logic and its implications, some readers may find that certain essays could benefit from a deeper exploration of practical solutions and strategies for dismantling the systemic racism addressed in the text. While the theoretical and historical analyses are robust, a more explicit focus on action-oriented frameworks for social change could enhance the book’s relevance for activists and policymakers seeking to address these urgent issues.
Additionally, the book’s academic tone may present a barrier for general readership. While the scholarly rigor is commendable, broader accessibility could be improved through more inclusive language and a greater emphasis on translating complex theories into actionable insights for a lay audience.
In conclusion, “Racist Logic” is a significant contribution to contemporary racial studies, offering an essential critique of the systemic structures that sustain racial inequality. Through its interdisciplinary approach and diverse contributions, the anthology successfully illuminates the complexities of racist logic and its pervasive effects on society. While the book excels in theoretical analysis, a greater integration of practical solutions would further empower readers to engage with the imperative of dismantling systemic racism. This work serves not only as a critical resource for scholars and students but also as an important text for activists and advocates striving for a more just and equitable society.
Editors: Donna Murch et al.
Publisher: University of California Press, 2022
ISBN: 978-0520376680
“Racist Logic,” edited by Donna Murch and an extensive list of contributors, presents a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the ways in which racial ideologies shape and are shaped by various institutional and cultural practices in contemporary society. This anthology brings together a diverse group of scholars who explore the intersections of race, class, law, and politics, offering readers a multifaceted perspective on the pervasive nature of racism and its impact on social structures and individual lives.
The editors introduce the concept of “racist logic” as a lens through which to analyze the ways in which racial categories are constructed, maintained, and mobilized within various contexts. The contributors effectively illustrate that racism is not merely an individual prejudice but a systemic and deeply entrenched logic that permeates institutions such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and the economy. By framing racism as a mode of reasoning that informs policy decisions and social interactions, the book challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of race and its implications for justice and equity.
One of the notable strengths of “Racist Logic” is its interdisciplinary approach. The anthology includes contributions from experts in fields ranging from sociology and law to history and public health, allowing for a rich exploration of the topic from multiple vantage points. This breadth of scholarship situates the discussion of racism within a broader socio-political context, highlighting the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression and resistance. The inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives not only enriches the text but also underscores the complexity of racial dynamics in American society.
The essays within the anthology are characterized by their rigorous theoretical engagement and empirical analysis. Contributors such as Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Peter James Hudson provide insightful examinations of the historical foundations of racist logic and its contemporary manifestations, addressing issues like policing, housing discrimination, and public health disparities. These analyses are bolstered by case studies and data, grounding theoretical concepts in real-world examples that illustrate the urgency of addressing systemic racism.
Moreover, the book addresses the role of language and representation in perpetuating racist logic. Several contributors explore how racialized language in policy discourse and media narratives contributes to the normalization of discriminatory practices. This focus on discourse highlights the power of language in shaping public perception and policy, making a strong case for the necessity of critical engagement with the ways in which racial categories are articulated and understood.
However, while the anthology provides a comprehensive overview of racist logic and its implications, some readers may find that certain essays could benefit from a deeper exploration of practical solutions and strategies for dismantling the systemic racism addressed in the text. While the theoretical and historical analyses are robust, a more explicit focus on action-oriented frameworks for social change could enhance the book’s relevance for activists and policymakers seeking to address these urgent issues.
Additionally, the book’s academic tone may present a barrier for general readership. While the scholarly rigor is commendable, broader accessibility could be improved through more inclusive language and a greater emphasis on translating complex theories into actionable insights for a lay audience.
In conclusion, “Racist Logic” is a significant contribution to contemporary racial studies, offering an essential critique of the systemic structures that sustain racial inequality. Through its interdisciplinary approach and diverse contributions, the anthology successfully illuminates the complexities of racist logic and its pervasive effects on society. While the book excels in theoretical analysis, a greater integration of practical solutions would further empower readers to engage with the imperative of dismantling systemic racism. This work serves not only as a critical resource for scholars and students but also as an important text for activists and advocates striving for a more just and equitable society.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews