Between Barack and a Hard Place
Encyclopedia
Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama is a 2009 non-fiction book by the anti-racist writer and educator Tim Wise
, and is published by City Lights
.
In the book Wise argues that the election of Barack Obama
did not signal the end of racism in America
, writing that his political success could "deepen the denial in which so much of the white public has been embedded for generations."
stated that "the punning title of [Wise's] book, Between Barack and a Hard Place, belies the sobering material within. Wise paints a stark picture of racial inequality in the United States today. . . .Wise's short book reads like an old-school polemic: Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' for the 21st century. . . . A post-racial United States is an imagined country." Referring to Wise's background as an educator, Media Mouse
points to how Wise's book "continues the excellent work around the issue of [w]hite [p]rivilege that Wise has pounded home in his books, articles, and public talks across the country."
Tim Wise
Timothy Jacob Wise is an American anti-racist activist and writer. Since 1995 he has lectured at over 600 college campuses across the US...
, and is published by City Lights
City Lights Bookstore
City Lights is an independent bookstore-publisher combination that specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics. It also houses the nonprofit City Lights Foundation, which publishes selected titles related to San Francisco culture. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence...
.
In the book Wise argues that the election of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
did not signal the end of racism in America
Racism in the United States
Racism in the United States has been a major issue since the colonial era and the slave era. Legally sanctioned racism imposed a heavy burden on Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latin Americans...
, writing that his political success could "deepen the denial in which so much of the white public has been embedded for generations."
Critical reception
Adam Bradley from The Washington PostThe Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
stated that "the punning title of [Wise's] book, Between Barack and a Hard Place, belies the sobering material within. Wise paints a stark picture of racial inequality in the United States today. . . .Wise's short book reads like an old-school polemic: Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' for the 21st century. . . . A post-racial United States is an imagined country." Referring to Wise's background as an educator, Media Mouse
Media Mouse
Media Mouse is a Grand Rapids, Michigan independent media group founded in 1999 . Since 2004, the group's primary focus has been in providing regular news coverage of "progressive" movements for social change in Grand Rapids that are posted online via its website,...
points to how Wise's book "continues the excellent work around the issue of [w]hite [p]rivilege that Wise has pounded home in his books, articles, and public talks across the country."