Closest of Strangers: Liberalism and the Politics of Race in New York

by Jim Sleeper

Overview

"In this study of race relations in N.Y.C., Sleeper, an editorial writer for New York Newsday, harshly criticizes both black leaders and their liberal supporters for pointing a finger at America's racist society rather than setting concrete goals to overcome inequality." —Kirkus Reviews

A report of the current state of race relations in New York City, which examines the differing views of militants, liberals and forgotten minorities, and presents suggestions for racial common sense that attempt to demolish long-standing stereotypes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393346213
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	10/15/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	345
File size:	604 KB

About the Author

Jim Sleeper, a writer and teacher on American civic culture and politics, is a lecturer in political science at Yale and the author of The Closest of Strangers: Liberalism and the Politics of Race in New York and Liberal Racism. His reportage and commentary have appeared in Harper’s, The New Republic, The Nation, The New Yorker, The Washington Monthly, Dissent, and other publications.

Editorial Reviews

An editorial writer for New York Newsday , Sleeper here offers a fair, tough-minded airing of New York City's racial tensions and animosities on all sides. Countering those black leaders and white leftists who cast New York City as another Johannesburg or as ``Up South,'' he sees hope for resuscitating the fragile 1960s consensus of interracial fair play battered by rising urban crime, poverty, black extremists' divisiveness and white racism. Sleeper spotlights constructive, predominantly black community-based organizations that have adapted the tactics of the late activist Saul Alinsky to confront establishment figures, including Mayor David Dinkins, fixture of the Harlem elite. As timely as today's ugly headlines, this blend of history and reportage seemingly spares no one in its search for common ground. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly