Philosophers have separated the subjects of ethics and race. But every issue concerning race is an ethical issue. Ethics and Race approaches historical and contemporary issues of race and racism, on an ethical/moral foundation that the student is encouraged to think with. The 24 chapters encompass the history of race in ideas and events, including both law and culture. Throughout the book, race is inclusively discussed--black, white, Asian, Native American. Topics within the book are coherently organized through six sections: I. Ideas and History of Race, II, Law and Policy, III, Social Institutions, IV Social Disruptions, V. Identity and Representation, VI, The National and International World. Key features include the following: Up to date scientific findings concerning race are clearly explained, to add to reasoning from the ethical foundation; Affirmative Action and Diversity, as well as current events from protests from Left and Right, and police killings are addressed; The relevance of race to the effects of disaster and climate change is explained; White privilege is considered and white racial status is introduced as an important factor that has led to current political impasse and cultural oppositions; Racial identity, included mixed race is considered, as is race and gender and media representation. Ethics and Race mainly addresses race and race relations in the United States, but international issues and examples are included. Humanism, as derived from global thought is proposed in the final chapter. However, while Ethics and Race treats issues of race as a moral subject, with suggested moral foundations, the student is not told what to conclude on any of these issues. This is an important opportunity, through thought, discussion, and writing questions, for the student to think through contemporary issues concerning race, on explicit moral foundations, and construct their own chains of reasonings. Students may also bring in their own experience, as relevant.
Naomi Zack is professor of philosophy at Lehman College, CUNY. Her recent books are: The American Tragedy of COVID-19: Social and Political Crises of 2020 (2021), Progressive Anonymity: From Identity Politics to Evidence-Based Government (2020); Reviving the Social Compact: Inclusive Citizenship in an Age of Extreme Politics (2018).
Preface and Acknowledgments Part I: Ideas and History of Race 1. What are Ethics and Race? What is Ethics? What is Race? "Judged by the Content of Their Character" 2. Democracy and Social Ethics Race, Friendship, and Marriage The Tragedy of the Commons The Common Good 3. The History of Race and Racism Racism as Ideology The History of Ideas of Race White Supremacy and Eugenics 4. Science and Race Moral Reasoning and Race Race in Society and Social Science The Lack of Physical Biology in Race Intellectual Virtue, Science, and Race Part II: Law and Policy 5. Civil Rights and Political Rights The US Civil Rights Movement The Voting Rights Act and Its Reversals Welfare as Positive Rights 6. Immigration US Immigration Before and After 1965 The Moral Issue of DACA 7. Affirmative Action and Diversity The History of Affirmative Action and Diversity Affirmative Action and Diversity Today: Comparisons and Pros and Cons 8. Compensation, Reparation, Rectification, and Reconciliation Compensation Reparation Rectification Reconciliation Part III: Social Institutions 9. The US Criminal Justice System Punishment Demographics Reform Projects Impacting Prisoners of Color 10. Police Reform Police Actions in High-Profile Killings US Supreme Court Rulings and Police Impunity Police Reform and Its Obstacles 11. Dignity, Income, and Wealth Racial Minorities and Economic Dignity Income Wealth 12. Education The Structure of the US Educational System Leisure Versus Work Controversial Content 13. Health and Disability Disparities in Racial and Ethnic Health Wellness and Food Disabilities and Mental Health Part IV: Social Disruptions 14. Everyday Racism Place Segregation Anti-Racist Coping Strategies Microaggression White Privilege and White Status 15. Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Hate Speech Hate Crimes Reporting and Punishing Hate Crimes 16. Protests from the Left and Right Protests from the Left Protests from the Right Do Protests Work? Part V: Identity and Representation 17. Mixed Race Mixed Race and Social Construction The Importance of the One-Drop Rule Moral Aspects of Mixed-Race Identity 18. Race, Ethnicity, and Culture Complexities of Jewish Identity Resistant Indigenous Identity Cosmopolitan Ideals 19. Intersectionality and Gender Black Women's Recognition Constructions of Black Male Gender Latina identities 20. Representation in Media and Society Latina Representation Asian-American Representation Memorials for African Americans and Native Americans 21. Sport How Racism in Sport has Mirrored Society Vulnerabilities of Athletes How Star Athletes Have Spoken Out Against Injustice Part VI - The Natural and International World 22. Natural Disaster Disaster and Racial Social Construction Preparation Comparing Harvey and Maria 23. COVID-19 Increasingly Violent Racism Against Asian Americans and Jewish Americans Pandemic Effects on African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx Americans, and Native Americans 24. Global Issues and Humanitarianism The Capabilities Approach The Human Security Paradigm Climate Change and Humanity Glossary About the Author
