Out on 23 January 2025
Book cover for The Science of Racism

The Science of Racism

Synopsis

Polls show that half of us think racism doesn’t exist . . .

'Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving . . . and, sadly, utterly necessary' - Sathnam Sanghera, bestselling author of Empireland

In the ground-breaking The Science of Racism Professor Keon West cuts through the divisive anecdotes and rhetoric with decades’ worth of clear, factual, rigorous science – the data that reveals truths about racism that are shocking and tragic, but also (somehow) funny and entertaining.

He explains how we know, for example, that Black people are up to 50 per cent less likely to be called in to interview than identically qualified White people. He shows how we know the financial cost of selling items online while Black. He reveals the effects of racism on our friendships, relationships, healthcare and justice system. And he exposes the continued prevalence of racism, and the inadequacy of our many attempts to address it.

Whatever you’ve read before, this book will ensure that you never see racism in the same way again.

Details

23 January 2025
352 pages
9781035030668
Imprint: Picador

Reviews

This isn’t like any other book you’ve read about racism. It is feverishly devoted to data, painting an unarguable picture of the extent and scope of racism in our society. Read this book and you’ll win every debate you’ll ever have with anyone who doubts the existence of racism.
Illuminating, surprising, unnerving, moving . . . and, sadly, utterly necessary for this time in history.