White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race

by Ian F. Haney-Lopez and Ian F. Haney-López

Book Overview

Insightful look at how legal definitions of race and racism perpetuate racial inequality Lily white. White knights. The white dove of peace. White lie, white list, white magic. Our language and our culture are suffused, often subconsciously, with positive images of whiteness. Whiteness is so inextricably linked with the status quo that few whites, when asked, even identify themselves as such. And yet when asked what they would have to be paid to live...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814751377
• ISBN13: 9780814751374
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Debunking Attacks

One of the many attacks Lopez receives regarding White By Law is his alleged "white pessimism" that keeps him from genuinly wanting to deconstruct whiteness, because he would lose his White benefits. This is backed up by his many contradictions throughout the book. Though I agree he does contradict himself quite often, he does not cave into the idea of White superioroity as some critics on this page say. Critics of Lopez who are well versed in Race Theory and who want to deconstruct whiteness, fault him for simotaneously stating that whiteness is a "fantasy" and yet still "exists." To put it in common-man's English, this makes sense. Whiteness DOES exist, but only as a socially constructed idea. To blindly say that Race does not exist in any form is like saying that Liberalism doesn't exist. I mean, you can't touch liberalism. There is no genetic way of identifying liberals. Same with religion. Catholocism doesn't really exist, only in social construct. Critics of Lopez would have him write his entire book with out mention of racial existance because acknowledging race would go against Critical Race Theory. However, this book was not written to be read solely by the most enlightened intellectuals. It was written for any lay-person with a vocabulary large enough to understand it (which should be everyone, but sadly isn't.) One point I would agree with critics on is that White By Law has large moments of useless contradictory ranting. This is especially obnoxious to the average American who is trying to educate themselves. If Lopez wants to gain more support for his theories, he needs to take the first step in the new intellectual revolution: the uniting between scholars and the average-joe's and the removal of the painfully obvious elitest attitude in the intellectual world. A book more to the point would be a great resource for the masses. Overall, the book is beneficial. Lopez is not absorbed in his own personal conflict. He admits the painful truth, that race does exist in America. A critical race thesis should read as this "Race exists right now, but it didn't used to and it doesn't have to anymore."

Passionate and Thoughtful

Some writers are passionate, but not well researched. Others are well researched, but make for a boring read. Fortunately, Ian F. Haney Lopez is both passionate and thoughtful. Best of all, he writes in such a way that arouses passion and thought in his audience. Another strength of this book is that it provides a good balance between teaching us about the historical context of "whiteness" and a well-articulated argument about why such a historical understanding is important to us today. This book is so impressive that my training partners and I now quote from it as part of our anti-racism training program.

Clarity and Ingenous

White By Law: is the best account, that I have encountered, that explains the formulation of racial ideologies into law. It is well-written, flows easily, goes by quickly, and ellucidates the way which American legal institutions have constructed race. This should be a "must-read" for all persons in this country.

The definition of "white" versus "nonwhite" was never stable

How is "white" defined in the U.S.? The definition varies tremendously. Lopez concerns himself mainly with immigration issues and how East Asians, South Asians, Latinos, Armenians, Arabs and others made legal efforts to prove themselves "white" in order to gain U.S. citizenship. Legal History of the Color Line: The Rise And Triumph of the One-drop Rule

Best analysis of the essence of "white skin privilege"

Mr. Lopez does a great service for those white people who have a genuine interest in examining the sources of their color based privileges. Lopez 's depth analysis of the tacit forms of knowledge that sustain the social relationships between the oppressor and the oppressed; the dominant and subordinate cultures, gives the reader enough insight and direction to begin their own self examination. It's a must read for those who want to develop an alternative to a world permeated with racism