The Fallacies of Racism

Everyone has an opinion on racism. The vast majority of people would vehemently deny that they or those close to them are “racist,” yet many of the most common understandings of racism are highly problematic. “If you mean no harm, then it can’t be racist.” Yes, it can. “There are anti-discrimination laws now, so racism no longer occurs.” Incorrect. “Some of my best friends are Black, so I can’t be racist.” Not true.

In this sharp, open-minded, and witty book, sociologist Jennifer Patrice Sims succinctly addresses these problematic perceptions of racism as fallacies. Building on existing academic theories and drawing on her own cross-national research, two decades of teaching, and analyses of contemporary issues, she delves into the most common and insidious fallacies about racism. In revealing them to be rooted in what scholars call an “epistemology of ignorance,” she shows how these perceptions justify and uphold white supremacy (inadvertently or otherwise).

Accessibly written and full of concrete examples, this book will be of great value to anyone who wants to understand the common misunderstandings about racism that frustrate contemporary politics, classrooms, workplaces, and dinner tables.


Also available as an audiobook. Introduction

Section I: Micro-Level Fallacies
1. The Individualistic Fallacy
2. The Token Fallacy
3. The Familiarity Fallacy

Section II: Meso-Level Fallacies
4. The Simon Says Fallacy
5. The Mens Rea Fallacy
6. The Innuendo Fallacy
7. The Recognition Fallacy
8. The Self-Defense Fallacy

Section III: Macro-Level Fallacies
9. The Legalistic Fallacy
10. The Fixed Fallacy
11. The Ahistorical Fallacy
12. The Silence Fallacy

Conclusion “An absolutely vital book that bursts the delusional fallacies of racism. Rigorous, authentic and eye opening this book is a must to offer substance to the debates about racism and how we challenge it.”
Kehinde Andrews, Birmingham City University and author of The Psychosis of Whiteness

“With clear language that renders dense theoretical concepts approachable and concrete suggestions for incorporating the lessons learned into our daily practices, The Fallacies of Racism stands out as a must-read text for anyone hoping to understand contemporary racism in the United States.”
Tanya Golash-Boza, University of California, Merced

“Marrying clever metaphors and undeniably relatable examples with an impressive range of concepts and evidence, Jennifer Sims’s accessible, thorough, and disarming practical guide invites readers to greater wisdom about how common perceptions work to ‘misunderstand’ the social fact of racism and reinforce white supremacy – and offers new tools for recognizing and intervening on such patterns.”
Jennifer Mueller, Skidmore College

“an essential companion text to books like Bonilla-Silva’s Racism without Racists. … This book is a must read for any person who takes racism and the social construction of race seriously.”
Deadric T. Williams, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity Jennifer Patrice Sims is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.