Seeing Race in Modern America

November 4, 2013
Brown University professor Guterl examines what he calls the "sightlines" of looking at raceâthe multitude of methods that have, over generations, created an unconscious prejudice. He begins with the practice of profiling, which suggests it's possible to identify possible criminals based on a person's appearance, suggesting that the controversial method has become a widely-accepted practice. He continues with African-American images in advertising, from a 1885 poster advertising fertilizer depicting a black man with a cotton ball head, to a soft-drink commercial from 2001 featuring urban basketball players shot in a gritty "street" style. He looks at media coverage of adopted, multi-racial families, emphasizing how the children are often described as a mini-U.N. under the benevolent leadership of white American parents; expanding the idea of family, while emphasizing racial differences. While academic in tone, this rigorous and insightful book provides a careful investigation an often overlooked topic. 10 color and 97 b&w illus.