According to the authors of The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy, there are explicit and implicit rules in the United States that prevent and limit black Americans' participation in the U.S. economy. Andrea Flynn, Susan R. Holmberg, Dorian T. Warren, and Felicia J. Wong, scholars at The Roosevelt Institute, collaborated on The Hidden Rules of Race.


They write, "we will show how neoliberalism is a belief system and economic theory that was both fueled by and reinforces structural racism and racial rules." The American free market economy and ostensibly race-neutral economic and social policies have been, in many cases designed to disfavor black Americans. When they demonstrate the historical and legislative grounds for this claim, their argument is strong and irrefutable. Real estate lending practices, the educational system, racial hiring practices all contribute to the prevention of black citizens' economic stability and advancement.


When they get into the more "hidden" rules, their arguments are not as strong, but they should be considered. These are policies that are race-neutral, but have a disproportionately adverse impact on blacks. One example is the real estate market. Strict laws prevent racial exclusion from certain neighborhoods, but, as humans are wont to do, many people seek out neighborhoods inhabited by others of their own race. The authors write, "Middle-class neighborhoods of color have lower home values and price appreciation . . . ." Many factors impact housing prices, including, primarily, the market--supply and demand. But the ripple effect on school quality, retail availability, employment opportunities, municipal parks and other services, all goes back to property values, adversely impacting black residents.


Some of their strongest arguments address the criminal justice system. Statistics clearly show the imbalance of convictions, length of sentences, and traffic stops and arrests. Again, there is a ripple effect. The disproportionate number of black men and women in the criminal justice system impacts family structure, employability, and involvement in the political process. While they are right in much of their analysis, there was a glaring omission. I don't think the tremendous rates of black-on-black crime can be explained by racist policing and convictions, no matter how subtle it might be. The amount of gun violence in black neighborhoods is astounding. I can't imagine a race-based explanation for young black men killing other young black men on the streets.


Another glaring omission is the issue of family structure. They write, "As of 2014, 67 percent of black children were born into single-parent households, compared to 25 percent of white children, 42 percent of Hispanic children, and 53 percent of Native American children." Clearly this is an issue for all races, but much more so for black families. It's a problem because single-parent households are much more susceptible to poverty and other social problems. It may be indelicate to say so, but no one is forcing women to get pregnant outside of marriage. Obviously, if a large number of black men are in prison, they won't be home to raise a family. But I don't think we should brush over the personal choices behind the high rate of single parenthood in the black community and the long-term effect on the children and on family poverty.


One solution to this issue, the authors suggest, is more access to family planning. This really astounds me. They write, unironically, "We must work to see abortion--and family planning--as part of a broader context of 'empowering women, creating healthier families, and promoting sustainable communities.'" I don't understand how these authors can write about the hidden rules of race and abortion and not note the racist, eugenicist origins of the modern abortion movement. Perhaps they haven't noticed that Planned Parenthood likes to place their offices in areas with large black and Hispanic populations. Call me crazy, but I don't believe that the best solution for reducing child poverty in the black community is killing babies before they are born.


When it comes to solutions, the authors offer both affirmative action policies, as well as race-neutral policies that favor blacks. I strongly oppose the former. I believe affirmative is action is no less racist than any other form of segregation. Whether talking about school admission, hiring, or putting together a football team, race should not be a factor. But there are plenty of race-neutral policies that can improve schools, neighborhoods, and opportunities for black Americans. We can improve municipal services in low-income neighborhoods, encourage economic development in cities and neighborhoods with concentrations of minorities, and offer students in failing schools the opportunity to transfer schools, among other things.



The Hidden Rules of Race is written from a decidedly political liberal and progressive point of view. However, I wonder what they would think of race-neutral policies that benefit black people but that are more traditionally conservative. For example, charter schools have, in many communities, provided a great alternative for students in failing public schools. What about finding those successful schools, embracing school choice (dare we say vouchers?), and giving poor, minority kids a better shot at a good education. Another issue is generational wealth. Many poor families rely solely on Social Security for retirement. But when a Social Security recipient dies, benefits cease. What about privatizing Social Security so that it builds inheritable assets? I have a feeling the authors of The Hidden Rules of Race would reject conservative proposals like these. But if they truly want to improve the lot of blacks and the poor in the U.S., all policies need to be on the table.



The Hidden Rules of Race definitely has an agenda, but they provide a lot of great information and some practical solutions. Across the political spectrum, we need to be willing to admit that our nation has a history of racist policies and take action to correct them. While I think we should avoid replacing racist policies with different racist policies, it makes sense to develop race-neutral policies that may benefit black people and poor people.



Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!