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Racism has no place in our society, we are told. In fact, its role is crucial but today public debate on race in Britain is constrained by a facile postracialism. Its features are colourblind narratives, an ‘anti-antiracist’ discourse and erasure of Black working class identities.
This book examines and challenges the marginalisation of critical race analysis in debates on social justice. It reconceptualises Critical Race Theory from a British standpoint, foregrounding the concept of ‘permanent racism’ and its importance in understanding race as a fully social relationship.
Highlighting the need to decolonise public debate and antiracism itself, the book provides an essential resource for academics, students and activists who wish to decolonise public debates on racism, social class, education and social policy.
"This is one of the most important books on British race relations and social theory to be published in this century. Warmington dissects the facile postracialism, and its colourblind ideology, that is the mainstream view among government and media, serving to silence critique and protect the racist status quo. The book powerfully analyses the current problems and sets out an agenda for the decolonisation of antiracism itself." David Gillborn, University of Birmingham
“A wonderful book that offers a forensic diagnosis of the enduring nature of racism in the contemporary context. It is a must-read (and re-read) for all who have an interest in race, racism and antiracism.” Remi Joseph-Salisbury, University of Manchester
“The book’s focus is on Britain, still in the embers of Brexit, COVID-19, and Black Lives Matter protests, a volatile period marked by far-right rhetoric entering the mainstream and by overt resistance to antiracism policies. Indeed, these are the conditions of many liberal democracies today making Warmington’s work especially vital.” Ethnic and Racial Studies
“This is a brilliant book! It provides superb theorisation and in-depth analysis of Critical Race Theory and the notion of the permanence of racism. This is a must-read for all race scholars and activists.” Vini Lander, Leeds Beckett University
1. Introduction: 'No Place in Our Society'
2. Race: Real and Unreal
3. Permanent Racism: Derrick Bell’s Racial Realism
4. Postracial Britain
5. Against Antiracism
6. Whatever Happened to the Black Working Class?
7. Conclusion: Black Futures