Some White Folks

"There is racial inequality in America, and some people are distressed over it while others are not. This is a book about white people who are. This book focuses on white racial sympathy over Black Americans' suffering and its consequences for modern American politics. Distinct from low prejudice or sympathy toward any marginalized group, racial sympathy is a powerful force centered around the unique history of Black-white race relations. This racial attitude shapes white Americans' political opinions on a wide range of public policies, from the social welfare state to the criminal justice system. Under certain circumstances, racial sympathy can influence their political behaviors too. In Some White Folks, Jennifer Chudy brings together a range of disciplines and methods to explore the importance and complexity of racial sympathy. The book is a companion to the rich literature on prejudice; it demonstrates the multifaceted role of race in American politics and public opinion"--