62 pages 2 hours read

Derrick A. Bell

Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1992

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Faces at the Bottom of the Well by Derrick A. Bell is a collection of nine short stories that illustrate the enduring reality of racism and its implications in the United States through fictional narratives and discussions between characters, primarily Geneva Crenshaw and a law professor. The stories explore complex issues such as racial symbols, imagined societies, legal frameworks permitting discrimination, racially motivated violence, advocacy, and futuristic scenarios that challenge traditional civil rights paradigms. The book is a significant text in Critical Race Theory and underscores the idea that racism is a permanent feature of American society. Some stories depict racially motivated violence, systemic discrimination, and oppressive societal structures.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Bell's Faces at the Bottom of the Well incisively critiques enduring racism through allegorical essays and storytelling. Praised for its bold narrative and intellectual depth, it challenges conventional thinking but is occasionally seen as overly pessimistic. Its thought-provoking nature makes it essential for those probing racial justice, despite some criticisms of its unyielding outlook.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Faces at the Bottom of the Well?

A reader who values critical race theory, explores systemic racism, and appreciates nuanced, provocative narratives will enjoy Faces at the Bottom of the Well by Derrick A. Bell. Fans of Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow or Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me will find it compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1340L

Book Details

Topics

Race / Racism

History: U.S.

Sociology

Themes

Identity: Race

Values/Ideas: Equality

Society: Nation

Genre

Philosophy