Review author: Thorayya Said Giovannelli, PsyD
Summary: In line with the shift to a more holistic, systemic psychotherapy to address psychological concerns, Derrick Darby puts forth a well-researched position that any viable approach to addressing America’s racism malady must be systemic, or as he puts it “big tent.” Darby notes that just as the absence of illness does not equate to health, the reduction of overt racism does not equate to racial equity.
Citation: Darby, D. (2023). A realistic Blacktopia: Why we must unite to fight. New York: Oxford University Press (320 pages).
It is clear that Darby has a background working with social psychologists, as much of his approach comes from the idea that best remedies are not helpful if they are not palatable. He posits that with racism’s shift from glaring, overt behaviors (e.g. separate restrooms) to more covert policies (e.g. stop and frisk practices), many within privileged groups can be comfortable affirming that America has moved into a “post-racial era.” Darby breaks this argument apart while also highlighting the importance of recognizing its existence. From our neighbors who are polled stating that white people are more discriminated against than BIPOC, to the Supreme Court ruling that colleges need not take race into account in their admissions, he recognizes that these are voices within the nation that cannot be ignored or dismissed.
While the idealist may be caught off guard, Darby recognizes that a cure is not a cure if no one takes it. Rather than using, as he coins them, “race-first” policies, such as affirmative action, he suggests a broader stance to ensure democratic access for all marginalized people within America. I would compare this approach to how one may weave intersectionality into discussions on white supremacy or privilege. Often if the topic is approached too directly by those who hold more privilege, resistance rises and the opportunity is lost. However, if we are encouraged to see the threads that unite us via our intersectional identities, there is less resistance and more openness to see the other as a peer.
The book is divided into three parts—each with three chapters—that outline Darby’s vision for a realistic Blacktopia, or an America where Black people are fully represented and included within the nation. In part one, he breaks down the ways that the “small-tent remedies” (i.e., affirmative action, voting rights, and reparations) are limited in the nation’s current climate. He cites several court cases that highlight how these remedies, or “race-first” initiatives in the text, are vulnerable to false dichotomies. Darby utilizes the 2013 Supreme Court ruling Shelby County v. Holder, which weakened the Voting Rights Act, to demonstrate how easily a discussion about race and the law was watered down into a binary question.
After outlining the vulnerability of many of the “small-tent remedies”, Darby segues to part two, which provides the rationale for and introduces the “big-tent remedies,” or strategies that tackle broader challenges that impact Black Americans and other non-majority groups, such as climate justice or mass incarceration. In this section, he deftly addresses his reasoning for this pragmatic approach, as well as the potential concerns such as cost effectiveness and morality. He highlights the challenge: “figuring out how, given that we must live and die together, we can work together to solve problems with which we live” (p. 132).
In part three titled, Demand for Democracy, Darby introduces his vision for the “big tent” approach, which stresses the importance of voting rights in a functional democracy. He recognizes that the right and access to the ballot box is a necessary but not sufficient step to inclusion and equity within the nation. Darby cites W.E.B. DuBois’ approach that without this right, it becomes difficult to both hold one’s representatives accountable and to access other rights. However, if society views racial progress as merely the elimination of overt racism, then voting access can be curtailed, as we are witnessing across several states under various guises other than discrimination (e.g. voting integrity). The idealist will appreciate Darby’s approach that America’s democracy has yet to be realized as it has yet to be open to all.
While the text may be a bit dense for those whose last acquaintance with philosophy was during their early undergraduate years, such as myself, Darby writes in a clear, conversational style that is easy to follow. He introduces his sources carefully and in a way that leads you to want to read further on the topic. This book will definitely have readers shifting their lens a bit wider when considering racial inequality in America.