Outsiders: Why Difference is the Future of Civil Rights

by Zachary Kramer Narrated by Keith Sellon-Wright

Overview

Contemporary discrimination has changed in important ways from the forms it took in the 1960s, the era in which our civil rights law system originated. Previously, the primary targets of discrimination were groups: African Americans, women, and Latinos, among others. The goal of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was to integrate marginalized groups into civic life, shatter ceilings, and break down barriers. The law sought to make us better people and America a more equal nation.



And it has. Discrimination against groups still occurs, but affected groups can marshal the rights regime to target and eliminate discriminatory policies. The challenge today, however, is to protect the individual, and our civil rights laws struggle with this. The people most likely to face discrimination today are those who do not or cannot conform to the whims of society. They are the freaks, geeks, weirdos, and oddballs among us. They do and wear strange things, have strange opinions, and need strange accommodations.



Outsiders is filled with stories that demand attention, stories of people whose search for identity has cast them to the margins. Their stories reveal that we have entered a new phase of civil rights and need to refresh our vision.

Editorial Reviews

AUGUST 2019 - AudioFile

Kramer’s argument for a new direction in the struggle for civil rights finds meaning and warmth in the voice of Keith Sellon-Wright. He narrates in a gentle and welcoming tone that makes listeners feel he’s speaking right to them. Though the tone changes slightly as Kramer moves from examples to legal arguments, Sellon-Wright still maintains an amiable and engaging delivery that guides listeners through Kramer’s prose. Kramer provides a new take on moving forward in civil rights: His view shifts the paradigm from one grounded in complicated and oftentimes limited group-status protections to one that recognizes individual differences and accommodates the complexity of each individual in an equitable and just way. His approach maximizes opportunity for everyone. L.E. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

"Kramer says 'We are all outsiders' and I say—we all need to read this book. Outsiders is a wild ride into the contemporary realities of discrimination, identity, and accommodation. A tour de force, Outsiders offers an updated vision of civil rights law for the twenty first century. Insightful, engaging and well-written, this book will deeply shape the ways you think about equality in today's markets." —Orly Lobel, Don Weckstein Professor of Law, University of San Diego and author of Talent Wants to Be Free

"At a time when our country seems to be going backwards rather than forward on civil rights, we are in desperate need of new ways of thinking about what it is that equality principles require of us as a society. This is precisely what Kramer accomplishes in this original and brilliant book. As he persuasively argues, civil rights law will continue to fall short of its full potential if it continues to emphasize groups over individuals and similarities over differences. Anyone who cares about the future of equality protections in the United States should read this book while urging others to do the same." —Carlos A. Ball, Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers University and the author of The First Amendment and LGBT Equality

"A refreshing read, offering a much-needed perspective on the limits and possibilties of law." —Sonia Katyal, Haas Distinguished Chair, UC Berkeley and author of Property Outlaws

AUGUST 2019 - AudioFile

Kramer’s argument for a new direction in the struggle for civil rights finds meaning and warmth in the voice of Keith Sellon-Wright. He narrates in a gentle and welcoming tone that makes listeners feel he’s speaking right to them. Though the tone changes slightly as Kramer moves from examples to legal arguments, Sellon-Wright still maintains an amiable and engaging delivery that guides listeners through Kramer’s prose. Kramer provides a new take on moving forward in civil rights: His view shifts the paradigm from one grounded in complicated and oftentimes limited group-status protections to one that recognizes individual differences and accommodates the complexity of each individual in an equitable and just way. His approach maximizes opportunity for everyone. L.E. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171304720
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	03/12/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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