Biased

by Jenifer Eberhardt (2020)

7/10

Eberhardt provides a good overview from a psychological perspective of how our brains are wired to perceive races differently, and in the context of white supremacy, to see Black Americans as inferior. She recounts several studies and interviews which provide insight into the phenomenon of implicit bias, and its impacts upon the victims. The chapter on her visit to Charlottesville in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally was particularly memorable.

Overall, this is a good book for the uninitiated masses – those who haven’t thought too much about racism or don’t even believe it’s a big deal. For example, I’m going to pass this along to my 70-year-old white, liberal, apolitical mother, because I think she may actually learn something from it. For those who have done implicit bias trainings, or read previous books on race such as The New Jim Crow, Stamped from the Beginning, White Rage, Racecraft, or At the Dark End of the Street, this will probably be overly general for you.

And of course if you haven’t read those books, you should read all of them now!