Absolutely must read for those concerned with how American incarcerates in young nonwhites
346655
It is difficult to begin to understand how the War on Drugs morphed into a legal war on the the poor and nonwhites.  Imagine an America where poor non-violent drug offending whites are considered 'collateral damage' to disenfranchise large numbers of nonwhite citizens.

The prison industrial complex is privatized for profit by those who relentlessly sell a 'free market economy' supported by public funds for political power.  Just wow.  Sadly.
3051179
A definite MUST READ for EVERY American, especially blacks who should learn from this.
Mr. Riley clearly explains where their train derailed and why and how the racial divide in this country is an artificial move by politicians and so called civil rights leaders. He hits the nail on the head page after page. So long as the blacks in this country don't change the culture and start listening to people like him, Allen West, Charles Payne and others like them instead of the three Musketeers of hate, BHO, EH and AS they will not advance in life and it won't be the white man's fault but their stubbornness to make the necessary changes in their look on education and attitude towards others, including people of authority.
I highly recommend it to any conservative although we already know what he is pointing out but he backs it up with results from studies.
I wished he could be a second Martin Luther King and if they would listen to him our society could be the model King was dreaming of but it's up to the black folks to heed Mr. Riley's message.
I'm already looking forward to his next book and hope this one will sell millions so everybody gets to read it. There is still hope for America with people like him who see the truth and provide solutions. It's a culture thing and he explains it in clear terms. I could go on but just buy it and read it.
450024
This book is an unforgettable insight into incarceration in a Federal minimum security "camp" prison setting for women. A debasing mental and physical experience covering a mere one year experience. This makes me wonder what a long 10 years or more sentence in a maximum security men's prison would be like? Not many, if any, would leave sane and be able to fit back into society. Piper makes a compelling statement to not do the crime with this book.
4084367
I am a professor of Immigration law and assign this book to my advanced class. We regularly volunteer at the NY immigration court assisting unaccompanied youth who are facing deportation. This text helps the students understands the dangers of the journey and the incredibly compelling motivations of the family members.  I hope Ms. Nazario will continue to write and advocate in this field. We need her.
2887714
WOW! This book is so comprehensive, providing a clear narrative of the importance of every American knowing accurate history. The idea that African American history shouldn't be separate from American history. I learned how generations of the worst form of slavery, oppression, and dehumanization shaped how African American families raised their children, affected our collective psyches, and self-esteem. Also how those old racist systems continue to present themselves in current times, and how we all have to consciously make the effort to deconstruct subconscious racism. DeGruy compares African Americans to Africans post Apartheid, and why it's been harder for African Americans to progress because American society has not provided a supportive environment. DeGruy explores many relevant topics and in the end offers conscious ways to raise our children and end this vicious cycle of racism.
1598785
Fantastic Book!  It echoed many of things I was thinking and the frustrations I had during the political season.  I am making this book the book club selection for our University's Social Justice Book Club.  I encourage everyone to read this (liberals, conservatives, progressives, traditionalists, white, people of color, etc.)

This is a great analysis of the 2008 election season and the white supremacy and white denial that played as a central prevailing discourse during this time.  Even if you are not familiar with Wise's other works, READ THIS!  If you are a White person, especially READ THIS!  If you are a person of color, READ THIS!  This will be an ongoing discussion throughout the Obama presidency and it is important for everyone to critically engage these issues that impact all of us.  Wise's book provides a discourse that not only challenges whiteness and racism, its also fosters this dialogue in which we can all place ourselves in to enable change.  It is nice to actually see white people doing this work (people of color are way ahead of the game.)  Keep it up Tim!
739283
This book did it for me!! It honestly sheds light on the life of an African coming to the states for university (a common trend in Nigeria). There are so many new things you are exposed to. I especially like the fact that the writer touches on issues of depression and how Africans are not open to the acceptance of its existence. It's always considered a white man's disease.
But mostly, I love the relationship issues in nigeria. And how marriages are regarded in our society. I love this book.
This book is really for the young Africans who come to America and see a new side of life. The ones who struggle to discover who they really are while trying not to abandon what they are. The young Africans living underground with no papers in the western world. And for those who see their fruends back home enjoying life (supposedly). The ones who try to move back home. It's about trying to figure out where U belong when u are raised in Africa but have learned life lessons in Anerica or England, etc. It really hits home for so many ppl.
I don't think this book is for history or just reading pleasure. It's for those who can relate and feel isolated when they are at home and abroad because they really don't fit in anywhere anymore. It's for us
1770538
I was somewhat familiar with this case, being a Maine resident myself, and first cousin of Angela Palmer. My family never would speak about the specifics of the case leading me to this book. I was pleased to find it non-biased, informative, and well researched. It answered all of my questions regarding this case, and allowed me to be able to see the story from all sides.  I hope Lane will stay behind bars the remainder of his life, as I believe he is making an appeal. I am so thankful to this author for the retelling of this horrific event, and the light he shed on mental illness, domestic abuse, and the American court system.
1006541
What an insightful book! Everyone should read this book. If you are a law abiding citizen, you will be glad you chose that path. If not, this book might get you back on the straight and narrow. No wonder there are so many repeat offenders. In no way are prisoners prepared to reenter society! It is shameful and should be  an embarrassment  to our country!
976373
An excellent read!

Now, I am not a USA citizen and I do not live there. But I lived in the USA, have relatives there, and
follow things closely. So, although it is sometimes difficult for me to understand how threatened black people
might feel or how white people experince the divide that exists (or for that matter all people of every color, race
and affilitation in the boiling pot that is the USA), it touched me greatly being a father of a young kid, and made
me reflect upon my past and what I want for the future of my children. I am white, and I have not faced any racial
discrimination what so ever, but having struggles of my own, and thinking about the perils and the dangers that my
society is facing (Greece) it kept me up a couple of nights thinking about stuff. Again, I am not comparing any struggles
or trying to minimize any problems, I am just expressing how this book made me react.

I enjoy the way he writes, the use of the language and how emotions seem to jump out of the book (or epub) and what to
make you think harder that you do in your everyday life. Hard enough to make start writing to my son too, a long long resolution
I had even before he was born.

Do read this book in a calm and open minded state of mind and soul!
4329310
This book is a must read for educators who work with youth and, in particular, students of color. It highlights the critical need to understand the messages (conscious as well as unconscious) that we send to Black and Latina/o students who are interested and preparing for college. As I was reading, I found myself recalling my own experiences as both a teacher and student and nodding vigorously at the stories of students who were discouraged by educators with low-expectations and also simultaneously encouraged by parents and media which reinforced college and career readiness. Chapter 5, specifically, is also vital in understanding the intersection of gender, identity, ethnicity and college access for Black and Brown female students. College Ready is a significant contribution to improving access to higher education for some of the most vulnerable and marginalized students in the country.
3129779
Reading through some of the more negative reviews here and on goodreads persuaded me to buy this book. Expostulating from the rather succinct reviews, it must have ruffled a few feathers and reading the book it's funny how the author explicates these exact reactions as knee jerk white reactions to anything that associate the black race with criminality. The author does a terrific job backing up her thesis with well researched references but I think even without these the main question must be why did the prison population increase at such a incredible rate in less than a couple of decades especially among African Americans. It cannot be that the entire black populace decided to go on a crime rampage suddenly, this by itself should make any rational person question the policies and laws leading up to this increase. No civilized country in the world would tolerate such high incarceration rates especially among a specific racial makeup of their population. It's incredulous that apart from a frontline documentary, the media has not done more to uncover this phenomenon.
2580020
This is one of those rare books that is not bent on being politically correct, but brutally honest. Written in a genuine style, this is a must read for anyone looking to understand American history, psychology, and how we can work together to rise above the slave mentality -- all of us, black, white, brown, yellow, whatever.

Pick it up, great read.
2834408
The most readable and convincing (backed by solid information) description of "invisible" (to those of us who benefit from it) institutional racism  that I've read  -- most other descriptions are academic. I urge everyone who takes the adult ed class I co-lead, White People Challenging Racism: Moving From Talk to Action, to read Tim Wise's memoir, White Like Me, which describes his advantages from day 1 of having white skin credibility, and will do the same for Colorblind.
4809881
So much of what you will read in this book will make you angry, but there's also something that's NOT in the book that makes me even angrier - the amount of information that is absolutely essential to understanding so much about our country that I was never exposed to in school, even in advanced classes, even in college. So much of our US history is glossed over and erased, it's no wonder younger white people now are often confused about the problems black people still face and resentful about what they perceive as injustices against *them*. Our inability as white Americans to confront the past wrongs of our ancestors is why we haven't progressed as a society.
1993397
I figure that this book has no reviews because Joe Feagin just pulled the covers off of a tightly guarded secret around how white people view themselves in America. This book was so well written and I am so happy I ran across this man's work. All of his books on race and inequality are well researched, easy to understand and quite frankly masterful in providing a framework for racism and racial inequality in this country. For every African American or person of color who believe that "racism is dead" or that white people "don't see color" need to read this book. I cannot say enough good things about it.
728255
I've read 'blinders' several times now and must admit that until the issue of child abuse reached me at the personal level, i too, was guilty of waltzing through the day with full blinders on.  This book is filled with gut wrenching stories, lots of professional and credible research and doesn't let the reader off the hook for one moment in her ever moving forward quest for justice for our nation's children.
I highly recommend this book as it also spells out solutions to problems that up until Ms. Alvarez came onto the scene, seemed too 'big' to tackle. she shows us that everyone has a voice - except children. And that we must be willing to lend our voices in an effort to build safer homes, safer communities and a safer society.
Keep in mind folks, battered kids (other than the 5000 who are murdered each year by a careless parent or caregiver) who grow up become angry adults and studies show that 20 % of those kids serve life sentences for violent crime. Keeping blinders on and allowing this to continue today...means we are all a little unsafe tomorrow.
Everyone should read blinders!