Rise Up!: How You Can Join the Fight Against White Supremacy

In this comprehensive history and study of racism and guide on combating white supremacy, educator, researcher, and sociologist Fleming takes readers through history to explore what racism is, where it comes from, why it still exists, and what can be done about it. From the European origins of racial labels, to understanding how racism causes inequality, to unpacking white supremacy’s role in shaping society, economy, and politics, Fleming patiently and accessibly identifies the four “legs” of white supremacy—colonization, genocide, capitalism, and transatlantic slavery—and explores how each plays a role in modern-day racist thinking, practices, and policies. Easy to follow and thorough, this guide addresses concepts and historical moments that are often glossed over in traditional textbooks, going so far as to highlight “post traumatic slave syndrome” as an intergenerational trauma that Black people continue to experience. Followed by a chapter-by-chapter notes section that includes further reading and sources, this book uses gentle, approachable language (“I also began to realize that economic inequality and poverty were intertwined with racial injustice”) to discuss a heavy topic with young adults of all races who are searching for change. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)