The Michael Jackson Effect

Patricia Williams’ book believes in the possibility of extending liberty and justice to all — but shows that it has not happened yet and furthermore, that many white people believe it has, or believe the situation has been reverse … and that racial thinking is much more pervasive than people admit, or allow themselves to see.

Does she attempt to explain why this is the case? I am not sure. The focus of the book — lectures for a general audience — seems to be to show that it is the case. But she does talk about self immolation and passing, the good reasons why people would want not to be Black, given all the trouble it entails. This is useful for thinking about Brazil.