Writing Context:
For this last essay project, you will need to have read and
become familiar with the main arguments from each chapter of
the essay collection. And once you do, you will have noticed
that Changs essays cover a central theme of racism and how it
lives in todays American society.
As stated in his introduction, Changs purpose for writing this
book is about acknowledging that many racial inequalities and
inequities exist, that they are bad for everyone, and that there are
ways for us to respond and undo them, no matter who we are.
However, as he highlights, some of us have better vantage points
than others to see where these realities exist. And so, to help us
SEE where racism is taking place, Chang uses each chapter to
explore how racism seeps into our everyday lives.
Each chapter takes on a different aspect of the conversation:
Chapter 1 Is Diversity for White People? takes a look at
diversity and Whiteness within this reality and power
differences between different groups of people
Chapter 2 What a Time to be Alive takes a look at
student -led protests and the effect of hate speech and
racism on college campuses
Chapter 3 «The Odds explores how cultural equity is felt
within the world of Hollywood and popular culture and
other media
Chapter 4 «Vanilla Cities and Their Chocolate Suburbs
takes a look at housing and how race has affected the
way we live across the American landscape
Chapter 5 Hands Up is a deep dive into Michael Browns
shooung
