Review

Reviews for Racism in America: From Beginning to End

 

By Larry S. Gray, Manuscript Review Specialist – Outskirts Press, Inc.

You obviously have a great passion for race relations in America, or the lack thereof – you present your piece in a very well-researched, thorough manner. You really offer your readers a lot to consider and you present them with a wealth of information about ideology, conflict, coping with and transcending racism, which I am certain others will enjoy reading about. I can tell that you have spent countless hours with your subject matter. You have presented your material in a way that just about anyone could understand and benefit from (thanks to the fact that you have really considered your readership, your audience). You included details that add to the credibility of your writing, and you really do come across as an expert, as well you should – you have been there. I do expect your book to stir controversy and debate, and potential disdain amongst those who feel that race relations, though not perfect, are much improved over past decades. There are those who may accuse you of stirring up the pot and actually inviting further and continued racism by continuing to dwell on what’s still wrong, and not on what all has been fixed.  That is a good thing. It’s good for the national discourse and it’s of course good for book sales. This is fiery subject and I applaud you for having the spine to take it on and produce 476 pages on the matter.  That said, throughout your work, your narrative voice is great – very familiar and easy to follow. I have to say that you have put together an excellent piece here. It flows nicely. It is one that should be well received by a wide audience.

**********

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers’ Favorite

Racism In America: From the Beginning to the End by Jermel W. Shim is a straightforward narrative on racism in America, its evolution, and its history. Racism In America is a non-fiction read that delves deep into analyzing racism, not just in America, but at some level globally. The book is divided into chapters, each dealing with a topic such as racism among the Anglo-Saxons and its beginnings and history, how racism is ingrained in American society at all levels, how it contradicts the so-called written American values in the Constitution, the relation between religion, spirituality, and morality and how they are related and dependent upon each other at a fundamental level, why racism in a huge problem in America, how change and improvement can be brought about, the impact racism has on people and the different ways to cope with it, and a new program that puts forward some points and suggestions for a way forward and how this problem can be solved over time.
 
Racism In America: From the Beginning to the End is a good book and I enjoyed reading it. Jermel covers quite a lot of ground and although some of the things mentioned are nothing new, the analysis is done in a fairly unbiased manner that adds a “new-ness” to the book and this subject, because a lot is said and discussed about racism in general anyway, which is a good thing and necessary. Another thing to note is that although Jermel is not an American who is born and raised in US, he has still lived here for a significant portion of his life and so does have the background and first-hand experience to write on a subject like this. His writing is straightforward and simple, and I would recommend this book to anyone.

**********

 Reviewed By Amanda Rofe for Readers’ Favorite

Racism in America: From the Beginning to the End by Jermel W. Shim is an in-depth exploration of the persistent and complex problem of racism in America. Despite attempts to deal with racism, it continues to be an issue in society today. This book digs back into the murky past and explains why it has continued to prevail to the present day. This historical perspective is crucial, allowing us to really understand the pervasive and insidious nature of the problem. It explains how racism consciously and unconsciously influences the perceptions, attitudes, and behavior of people. It does not condemn but instead provides a wealth of information about ideology, conflict, coping mechanisms and how to transcend racism.

I was impressed with this book’s analysis of racism, taking the reader through hundreds of years of history, as far back as the dominant, xenophobic and distrustful Anglo-Saxons. This is an exceptionally detailed and insightful discourse on the subject. Jermel W. Shim writes in an absorbing and non-confrontational way. It is clear from the information presented that black people bear the brunt of racism, which is long-standing and deeply ingrained. In practice, this can be seen in higher unemployment rates, higher incarceration rates, higher mortality rates, and more severe punishments. However, I was surprised to see how white people are also adversely affected by it. This book explains how white society needs to take responsibility and realize they have so much more to gain by stamping it out. Racism in America is an important book offering techniques and strategies for dealing with individual and institutionalized racism.