Seeing Race in Modern America

Brown University professor Guterl examines what he calls the "sightlines" of looking at race%E2%80%94the multitude of methods that have, over generations, created an unconscious prejudice. He begins with the practice of profiling, which suggests it's possible to identify possible criminals based on a person's appearance, suggesting that the controversial method has become a widely-accepted practice. He continues with African-American images in advertising, from a 1885 poster advertising fertilizer depicting a black man with a cotton ball head, to a soft-drink commercial from 2001 featuring urban basketball players shot in a gritty "street" style. He looks at media coverage of adopted, multi-racial families, emphasizing how the children are often described as a mini-U.N. under the benevolent leadership of white American parents; expanding the idea of family, while emphasizing racial differences. While academic in tone, this rigorous and insightful book provides a careful investigation an often overlooked topic. 10 color and 97 b&w illus. (Nov.)