Commemorating Brown: The Social Psychology of Racism and Discrimination (Decade of Behavior)

Brown v. Board of Education was the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation illegal in the United States. Commemorating Brown offers a critical retrospective on the role of psychological research in the fight against racism and discrimination and an up-to-date review of the psychology of racism and its implications for schools, the workplace, and public policy. The chapters provide a historical perspective on the Brown decision, including its promise as a mechanism for social justice, the reasons why its promise remains unfulfilled, and its ongoing relevance in a contemporary context of increasing resegregation.Equally important, chapter authors identify emerging directions for action in the continuing struggle against racism and oppression, including multicultural and international perspectives on racism that highlight the role of identity processes and collectively constructed realities (e.g., social representations of fairness, integration, merit, and American history). Finally, the editors describe a sociocultural approach to the psychology of racism and oppression that integrates diverse programs of theory and research in social psychology.This book critiques the role of social psychology in the study of racism. It emphasizes present-day challenges in overcoming racism and discrimination. It sketches a sociocultural approach to racism and oppression. It also considers diverse perspectives on racism (e.g., with respect to Latino and Asian immigrants, Native peoples, and the South African context).It presents collected research on a particular subject. It provides a practical analysis of research results. It links psychology to societal currents. It also highlights directions for future action.