Racism: Reality Built on a Myth

Race and separate races of human beings do not exist. They are a myth. Yet, racism is very real. Because racism is the namesake of something that does not exist, there is general confusion about what it actually is. This confusion has served to protect racism, and even reinforce it. By reviewing the entire history of racism, this book shows exactly what racism is: a subjective system of ranking groups of people and the belief that there is a natural social order of those groups. The lie of inferior and superior groups of people originated as a justification for slavery. Plantation owners, lawmakers, and scientists carefully nurtured the myth until long after slavery had ended. It has survived for centuries and continues to be used to separate people. Every white person needs to be aware of that history in order to understand how the myth of race and a hierarchy of humanity lingers in each of us and in all of our institutions. ""John Lovchik chronicles his journey as a white man seeking understanding of racism and his role in it with conviction and clarity. He acknowledges those who mentored and inspired him from the beginning. This is not always done. Now his task is to reach out to those beyond his comfort zone, which he also acknowledges. How do you organize those who don't share his truth and are even reluctant to learn about it–white people in denial or those who have been lulled into a sort of racial stupor? He knows this will not be easy. Read this book and then write your own."" –David Billings, author of Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in United States History and Life ""John Lovchik provides an impressive historical overview of the devastating process of racism in the United States. Lovchik weaves history with an urgent call to take action. This is an accessible and powerful book about our collective, ongoing task of dismantling white supremacy. White folks will want to share this book with friends and family."" –Rose Ernst, author of The Price of Progressive Politics: The Welfare Rights Movement in an Era of Colorblind Racism John Lovchik has been an anti-racism activist for more than twenty years as a member of a number of white collectives and organizations led by people of color. He is a member of the Seattle Race Conference Planning Committee and has been a trainer with the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond.