Combating Racism and Xenophobia: Transatlantic and International Perspectives - Paperback

by Kofi Annan (Contribution by), Doudou Dienne (Contribution by), Mary Robinson (Contribution by)

Throughout history, race and ethnicity have played critical roles in shaping politics, international policies, and the everyday experiences of a vast majority of individuals around the globe. Most nations around the world are now having to face up to culture clashes and the challenges that accompany globalization and the increased movement of people across national borders. Such conflicts include increased competition among racial and ethnic groups for jobs, housing, education, and other scarce resources. Other challenges include international migration and immigration that often change the complexions, racial and ethnic mixes, and cultural compositions of nations. Such transformations are not easy. They often lead to racial tensions, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and at times, even deadly confrontations and warfare. Societies in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world are in rapid transition. This transition is characterized by changing demographic, economic, and political patterns which, in turn, raise critical issues with respect to governance, fair and just public policy, and the meaning of citizenship. Combating Racism and Xenophobia: Transatlantic and International Perspectives provides an analysis of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia in the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world. This book provides a non-technical summary of some of the best thinking on racism and xenophobia from internationally known world leaders, diplomats, and scholars who focus on the international dimensions of intolerance and what can be done to eliminate such problems. Using Transatlantic institutions as examples, it also provides insights and tangible recommendations that, when implemented, go a long way toward resolving problems that stem from racism and xenophobia.

Author Biography

Cedric Herring is Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also Director of the Race and Public Policy Program in the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. Dr. Herring is former President of the Association of Black Sociologists, and he was the Interim Head of the Sociology Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was also the Founding Director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at UIC. He conducts research and publishes on topics such as race and public policy, workforce diversity and business performance, stratification and inequality, and employment policy. He has published six books and more than 60 scholarly articles in outlets such as the American Sociological Review, the American Journal of Sociology, and Social Problems. His most recent books are Skin Deep: How Race and Complexion Matter in the "Color-Blind" Era and The State of the State of Illinois. His most recent scholarly article, published in the American Sociological Review, is entitled: Does Diversity Pay?: Race, Gender, and the Business Case for Diversity." That article was cited by DiversityInc. Magazine as one of the five best research efforts on the impact of diversity. Dr. Herring is currently working on a project funded by the Ford Foundation entitled: "Rethinking Race and Affirmative Action in the U.S. and South Africa." He has received support for his research from the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and others. In addition, he has shared his findings in community forums, in newspapers and magazines, on radio and television, as an expert witness, before government officials, and at the United Nations.