White Identity Politics by Ashley Jardina is an important look at how race plays a role in social and political decisions, namely how whites perceive their own race and their relationship with that category.

The early part of the book might make some readers quit because it reads considerably drier than the rest. Please keep reading, it will be well worth it. The early part is establishing the context for Jardina's findings and as such is essential to understanding how and why her results are important. Citing all of the previous scholarship certainly slows down the reading but if you're not reading it for research purposes, or if it is your first time through, ignore the parenthetical citations and just get the main points. Once you have finished the book you can go back if you so choose and read the other works and either agree or disagree. Whether you like or dislike what she finds and argues you must first read the book and understand her argument. If you don't then your argument is not about her's but rather just about your own discomfort with what you're understanding her to say.

Having said that, there is a lot to think about and digest, especially for someone not well versed in this area of study. Rather than try to simply outline the entire book I'd rather give an idea of at least one important point I took from the work.

In today's political climate it is real easy to default to a position that roughly equates voting for a candidate who advocates for policies that are ultimately racist to being a racist. Part of that thinking, even within academia and policy making bodies, is because most previous research and studies have focused on white identity from a position of out group animosity. What Jardina has found, and what helps me try to better understand how so many can vote for such hateful policymakers, is that many whites are not voting from a position of out group resentment but from a position of white consciousness (of which, if I understand correctly, white identity is but a part). These people vote because they believe the person and/or policy will benefit them and their group. This is different from voting because a policy will hurt or limit another group. So anything maintaining the status quo without being blatantly against other groups will get the support of these people. This explains the importance of racist policy being couched in terminology that makes it sound like it is just maintaining status quo or even making things better in areas that whites will perceive as benefiting their group.

While this helps me to understand things with a bit more nuance I still have a hard time respecting people who are okay with politicians (or faux politicians who used to be reality stars) that harm other people. There is a difference between being against racism and being actively antiracism, and far too many hide behind claims of not being racist so they can support people and policies that are, at their heart, racist. But there is a distinction. Maybe next time through this book I can gain a better understanding of what to do to try to get people to realize that when everyone has a better life it is beneficial for everyone.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to better understand the toxic environment we currently have in the USA and, perhaps, find ways to get those not racist to quit aiding those who are.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )