Abstract

The Content of Our Character
Burns, Heywood | November 16, 1992 issue

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This article focuses on the book "Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism," by Derrick Bell. Bell's main theme is that racism is not an artifact of history but a central and defining part of our experience. And what is more, it is permanent. Indeed, the problem may not be racism itself but some far deeper human need for social cohesion that can only be satisfied by the exclusion and stigmatization of some other who establishes the bottom of the well. In a rich and textured way, Bell explores these insights, making generous use of the African-American folk tradition, its poetry, parables and music, as well as key events from African-American history.

See Also:

FACES at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism (Book); BELL, Derrick; RACISM; SOCIAL cohesion; AFRICAN Americans; BOOKS
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