Why read Faces at the Bottom of the Well?

Book cover of Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism

Book description

The noted civil rights activist uses allegory and historical example to present a radical vision of the persistence of racism in America. These essays shed light on some of the most perplexing and vexing issues of our day: affirmative action, the disparity between civil rights law and reality, the racist…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Faces at the Bottom of the Well as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Decoteau J. Irby and Ann M. Ishimaru

Author

In 2020, Christopher Rufo launched a media campaign to discredit the rising wave of racial consciousness, honest conversations about U.S. racism, and broad political, business, and education commitments to creating a more racially equitable society.

To do that, he lumped all attempts at making racial progress under the broad umbrella of Critical Race Theory. Unfortunately, he never provided his audience with a truthful explanation of what Critical Race Theory is all about.

Derrick Bell’s Faces at the Bottom of the Well is an essential Critical Race Theory book. It uses historical fiction and satirical allegories to help readers understand that…

From Decoteau and Ann's list on understanding why DEI in schools is under attack.

Beverly Moran

Author

Faces at the Bottom of the Well is the book that created Critical Race Theory. It lays out the central problem of Critical Race Theory: how does racism consistently defeat law? For example, in 1954 Brown v. the Board of Education held that segregated schools are unlawful. Yet, sixty-nine years later, US schools, housing, and employment all remain segregated. This is the book that inspired every other critical race theory scholar.

From Beverly's list on understanding critical race theory.