White Guilt by Shelby Steele presents a provocative analysis of race relations in America, examining white guilt and its societal implications. Reviews praise Steele's bold perspective and articulate prose, but some criticize a lack of empirical evidence and perceived one-sidedness. Despite mixed reactions, the book succeeds in igniting important conversations.

A reader who would enjoy White Guilt by Shelby Steele is likely interested in race relations, historical and cultural analysis, and social justice. They may also appreciate books like The Content of Our Character by Steele or The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois, which delve into similar themes of race and identity in America.

White Guilt: How Blacks and Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era by Shelby Steele examines the concept of white guilt and its impact on race relations in the US post-Civil Rights movement. Through anecdotes and historical recounts, Steele argues that white guilt led to misplaced social programs and a new form of subtle white supremacy, resulting in a cultural decline and persistent racial issues. The book discusses racism and systemic inequities extensively.

Informative / Contemplative / Challenging

- White Guilt: How Blacks and Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era by Shelby Steele explores the concept of "white guilt" and its social implications since the civil rights movement, a theme that generated considerable discourse on racial dynamics in America.
- Shelby Steele, an award-winning author and Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, uses his personal experiences and scholarly insights to discuss the unintended consequences of white guilt on policy and social programs.

**Shelby Steele**  
A Black conservative author and academic known for his work on race relations, who writes from a perspective shaped by his own experiences with overcoming a working-class background.

**Dick Gregory**  
A prominent civil rights activist from the late 1960s, whose approach is frequently contrasted with other civil rights figures and influences Steele's changing views over time.

**John**  
A White college peer of Steele's who represents the youthful rejection of conservative values in favor of the counterculture movement during the 1960s.

**Malcolm X**  
A renowned Black civil rights leader and minister known for his strong stance on personal responsibility and skepticism regarding White assistance, whom Steele cites as a model of genuine militancy.

**Betty**  
A Black poet and English professor who becomes a subject of critique for her views on ethnic literature, symbolizing Steele's views on the perceived shortcomings of progressive academia.

**Maureen Dowd**  
A White New York Times columnist known for her critical response to conservative judicial opinions, whom Steele uses to illustrate his perspective on liberal motivations and White guilt.

Shelby Steele

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore White Guilt reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read White Guilt | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore White Guilt and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

White Guilt Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Story of White Guilt”

Part 1, Chapters 1-11

White Guilt Part 1, Chapters 1-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “An Expanding Guilt”

Part 2, Chapters 12-16

White Guilt Part 2, Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Ways of Blindness”

Part 3, Chapters 17-24

White Guilt Part 3, Chapters 17-24 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Dissociation and Culture”

Part 4, Chapters 25-26

White Guilt Part 4, Chapters 25-26 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

White Guilt Key Figures

theme

Themes

White Guilt Themes

Index of Terms

White Guilt Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

White Guilt Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

White Guilt Essay Topics

White Guilt: How Blacks and Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era (P.S.)

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read White Guilt?

Reading Age

Book Details