The Science of Racism

Everything You Need to Know but Probably Don't—Yet

De: Keon West

Narrado por: Keon West

In this frank, funny, and meticulous book, a leading social scientist lays out the striking facts we know about racism, how we have uncovered them, and how we can start to fix them

Studies and surveys show, time and again, that about 50 percent of people believe that racism is no longer an issue today. The other half would disagree—vehemently. And much of the writing on the subject of race and racism is equally divisive, in large part because so much of it is based on opinion and personal experience. It’s not grounded in empiricism. It’s not science.

In The Science of Racism, social psychologist Keon West corrects that idea, moving this urgent conversation beyond anecdote and polemic in search of conclusive answers and solutions. Starting with a fascinating look at experiments around race in hiring, Dr. West brilliantly and methodically walks listeners through our comprehensive understanding of this controversial topic. He looks at how racism impacts every stage and all facets of life, from birth to death, in education, work and business, friendships and relationships, police and the justice system, and healthcare. He also looks at the challenges around studying these questions and the ways we can uncover the truth, and then where we go from here: why unconscious bias training can actually make things worse, and what systems and techniques can lead us to a more equitable future.

“Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving ... and, sadly, utterly necessary for this time in history.”—Sathnam Sanghera, international bestselling author of Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain

©2025 Keon West (P)2025 Recorded Books

thorough and eye-opening

I originally picked up this book after hearing Dr. West being interviewed on the Majority Report podcast. I work in a field, like most other people, that is deeply impacted by both implicit and explicit racism, as well as structural racism. while I went into this book thinking I already understood a lot and could guess most of his findings, I was of course wrong. there are some really shocking revelations that Dr. West explains, and all of these revelations are explained via the scientific method.

Unfortunately, the people in my life who I would most love to read this book never would. But, it can help people like me and others who would like to combat racism When we try to explain why certain things, like color blindness and unconscious bias training, just don't work.