We all want to get rid of racism, and for those of us who are black, the problem is of particular interest. The trouble with this book is that the author, like so many in our black community, figures that an appeal to white America to just "stop being racist" is sufficient. It is not. We need to stop acting like victims and start acting like competent human beings. We need to stop engaging in criminal behavior, get a job, go to school, speak proper English, and so on. Read John McWhorter instead of this tripe. Or, if you would prefer to sit around and bemoan your fate, read this book, I suppose.

Professor Annie Barnes' book, Everyday Racism is an important addition to the discourse on racism because it views the subject from the perspective of black middle-class college students. All of the students were in her class at Norfolk State University, but the study is by no means confined to Norfolk. The students are from many different areas of the nation; thus they discussed incidents they experienced on the West Coast and the East Coast, in the North and the South, and major cities and small towns. Everyday Racism goes far beyond other volumes of this genre, for after having the students discuss painful racial episodes, the author gently admonishes some for actions they did, or did not take, and she gives insightful advice on what readers can do, or say, if they are confronted with similar situations.

The book's layout is a chilling reminder that racism is a fact-of-life for African-Americans from the cradle to the grave. Dr. Barnes devotes chapters to racism in the neighborhood, the workplace, the shopping mall, entertainment, law enforcement, and every stage of the educational process.

This well-written book is not an enjoyable volume to read because it discusses a litany of painful experiences; nevertheless, it should be required reading for everyone who has a serious interest in racism and race relations in the United States. I highly recommend this book.

Annie S. Barnes holds up a mirror in Everyday Racism that whites do everyday. This mirror is the true life experiences of young blacks. Older blacks have even worse experiences with racism in certain areas. Black young men and women are holding up this mirror for you to see yourselves. Judging by the hurt they relate, they are asking you to stop that ugly picture, racism, you see in your mirror..

Using the common sensible tone of the book, I strongly invite you to read a benefical book that you will never regret.

The title of this small book does not speak to the amount of relevant material it contains. The subject of racism as it is witnessed by real people is seldom discussed or written about unless the person is a celebrity. This book speaks to the common
man/woman about situations that most people of color have faced at
one time or another if you are living in America. This book should
be in the curriculum of all colleges and universities to stimulate
honest and frank discussions of the most prevalent of all diseases.