By the Color of Our Skin: The Illusion of Integration and the Reality of Race

Professors Leonard Steinhorn and Barbara Diggs-Brown take an analytical look at American race relations, pointing out the difference between integration mythology and racial reality. While public facilities have been desegregated and black icons like Michael Jordan, Colin Powell, and Oprah Winfrey enjoy unprecedented popularity, there are still racial barriers left for blacks and whites to deal with. The authors examine the seductive imagery of integration, consider why blacks and whites view race differently, and explore the possibilities of translating some integration success stories into the broader fabric of American society. "We have no illusions that racial honesty will ever integrate our families, lives, schools, or communities," the authors write. "But we do hope that a more racially honest America can build bridges and challenge the stereotypes and images that too often guide our decisions and actions." --Eugene Holley Jr.