White by Law by Ian Haney López explores how the American legal system constructed race, demonstrating that race is a social construct rather than a biological fact. Through analysis of racial prerequisite cases from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the book illustrates how law shaped notions of whiteness and non-whiteness, influencing citizenship and perpetuating racial hierarchies. Replete with historical legal contexts, Haney López urges critical examination of whiteness and its societal implications for achieving racial equality. The book includes discussions on physical features, legal segregation, and anti-miscegenation laws.

Ian Haney-López's White by Law is widely praised for its critical examination of racial categories in U.S. legal history, highlighting how laws construct racial identities. Reviewers commend its thorough research and insightful analysis, though some note its dense academic prose. Despite this, it’s deemed essential for understanding race and law in America.

Readers who would enjoy White by Law by Ian Haney-López are likely scholars and students interested in critical race theory, legal history, and social justice. Similar audiences might appreciate Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Derrick Bell's Faces at the Bottom of the Well.

Informative / Challenging / Mysterious / Unnerving / Contemplative

- White by Law by Ian Haney-López is notable for examining how race and the law have shaped each other in the United States, particularly through legal cases that determined who could be considered "white" for purposes of citizenship.
- The book delves into the history of naturalization laws in the United States, highlighting the period when courts played a significant role in defining racial categories through pivotal rulings.
- Ian Haney-López, the author, is a respected scholar in critical race theory and frequently explores the intersections of race, law, and social hierarchy in his work, contributing significantly to discussions on institutional racism.

Ian Haney-López

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White by Law Summary and Study Guide

Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface

White by Law Preface Summary & Analysis

Chapter 1 White by Law Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 2 White by Law Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 White by Law Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 4 White by Law Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 White by Law Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 6 White by Law Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 7 White by Law Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 8 White by Law Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

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White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race

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