Review: Anja Weiß (2001). Rassismus wider Willen. Ein anderer Blick auf eine Struktur sozialer Ungleichheit [Racism against Intention. A Different View on a Structure of Social Inequality]

Abstract

The book contributes to the debate about racism and inter-culturalism as well as to the use of qualitative research methods within the scope of the theory of BOURDIEU. Racism and anti-racism are considered as a specific dimension of social inequality and, therefore, must be connected with a more comprehensive theory of social inequality such as BOURDIEUs concepts of habitus, field and capital. This allows for a different view on the phenomenon. According to this perspective, racism is not only reproduced by ideological and normative discourses, but also by the practices of every day life, which are parts of the habitus. As an example for this approach, the author examines groups that are engaged in anti-racism. The question is whether they may release racist effects without having intended to do so. The instruments of analysis are group discussions and "improvised role-plays," which are combined in an innovative way. This offers a comprehensive access to the empirical analysis of habitus. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0204400