Structure

This book is mostly structured in chronological historical order. One exception is the prologue, which serves to explain how Anderson first recognized and labeled the concept of ‘white rage.’ This introduction gives a definition and sociopolitical context to the idea. Chapter 1 then begins with a focus on the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Many people wrongly view the end of the Civil War as the end of racial oppression in America, since slavery was largely abolished. However, as Anderson explains, the South maintained the essence of slavery with various laws and sociopolitical structures. The book then moves forward chronologically, providing an overview of the major ways in which racial oppression has continued to define the country.

The focuses mostly on laws, court rulings, and relevant political events. While she acknowledges some moments of major sociopolitical progress, she also highlights the less-known events that then overrode that progress...