An Introduction to America's Rigged Democratic System and Systemic Racism: African Americans' Extraordinary Perseverance and Phenomenal Resiliency

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Unique and riveting, this book provides a preponderance of evidence related to the existence and powerful effects of systemic racism and an alleged Rigged Democratic System in the United States. A retired sociologist/criminologist and research fellow, the author conducted a thorough investigation that focused on the birth of the rigged system; connections between racial biases and systemic racism; and roles of decision-makers. Drilling down, he illuminated often overlooked or unrecognized connections between the rigged system and the emergence and perpetuation of racial disparities or inequality. The author's investigation produced evidence in several areas that will expand the body of knowledge related to past and existing systemic racism. First, he proposed a typology of decision-makers that acknowledged the connection between prejudice and the authority to discriminate. Second, he proposed a typology of African Americans different modes of adaptation or behavioral response patterns that have increased their capacity to overcome systemic racism and secure aspects of the coveted American Dream. Third, the author paints a clear picture of systemic or institutional racism in terms of laws, social policies, and/or discriminatory patterns/practices within government subsystems (i.e., political, economic, education, military/defense, public health, and criminal justice) and private institutions (i.e., religion/faith, mass communications, and sports/entertainment). Similar to a criminal investigation, each public subsystem and institution was examined as if they were separate crime scenes. Fourth, the author produced clear and compelling evidence of linkages between political influence, support for quality public education, educational attainment, detention/prison rates, median income, home-ownership, life expectancy, entrepreneurship, and wealth accumulation. Fifth, the book provides a foundation for the start of open and frank public and private discourse related to the validity of systemic racism and associated short and long term negative consequences. Finally, based on the totality of evidence presented, the author issued a thoughtful and compelling call for Americans to officially recognize and applaud blacks for involuntarily serving as models of extraordinary perseverance and phenomenal resiliency.

Author Bio

About the Author
Dr. Melvin C. Ray is a thought-leader, author, entrepreneur, and supporter of youth development initiatives. Upon his retirement in 2014, he was awarded emeritus status as Associate Vice President for Economic Development and Associate Professor of Sociology at Mississippi State University. Being both blessed and prepared, he was a trail blazer during his nearly thirty-year tenure serving with distinction in the following roles: Associate Professor of Sociology/Criminology; academic coordinator, research fellow, Associate Vice President for Research, interim Vice President for Research, Special Assistant to three consecutive chancellors, and Associate Vice President for Economic Development. Dr. Ray has conducted numerous quantitative and qualitative studies and published over two dozen refereed articles and book chapters. In 2016, he co-authored the book entitled Why College Degrees Still Matter: Success Strategies. The ground-breaking study was based on results generated from an online survey of nearly one thousand African American college students. In terms of service above self, Dr. Ray has served in leadership roles for many consequential initiatives including: The Local Learning Community Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle, Starkville-Oktibbeha My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge, Men Mentoring Boys Institute, and BullyStoppers: A Call to Action. Dr. Ray graduated from Dumas High School in Dumas, Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (B.S), and Iowa State University (Ph.D.). Dr. Ray is an active member of the historic Syrene Missionary Baptist Church which is nestled away among corn and cotton fields in the Arkansas Delta. He and his wife Valerie L. Ray are proud parents and grandparents.