Book Review: Jackson, J. L. Racial Paranoia: The Unintended Consequences of Political Correctness New York, NY: Basic Civitas, 2008, 278 pp. ISBN: 978-0465002160

• Date: 01 March 2010
• Published date: 01 March 2010
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016809349168
• Subject Matter: Articles

Delving further into community effects, Clear addresses the unintended consequences of mass

incarceration. Drawing from studies across various disciplines, he carefully outlines imprisonment’s

effects on families and children (marriage, parenting), labor (employment, property value), and

community (voting, collective action). Qualitative data from Tallahassee, Florida, are introduced

to explore stigma, financial impacts, and relationships of communities affected by incarceration.

Additionally, Clear builds a theoretical framework and then details coercive mobility hypothesis,

stating that ‘‘after a certain point, high incarceration rates concentrated in impoverished commu-

nities will cause crime to increase rather than decrease’’ (p. 149).

The book concludes by focusing on potential strategies for change. First, explaining what will not

work, Clear presents his ideas of what needs to occur to alleviate the problems associated with mass

incarceration. Sentencing reform and a different role for law enforcement are two changes discussed.

The concept of community justice is highlighted and thoroughly explored. A particularly interesting

appendix, ‘‘Imagining a Strategy of Community Justice,’’ expands on this concept and allows the

reader to imagine what community justice might look like and how it would function.

Overall, Todd Clear has written an extremely accessible book on the community effects of mass

incarceration. By providing extensive historical and theoretical context, the reader is able to under-

stand not only the situation of incarceration today but also the tremendous negative impacts it is hav-

ing on communities. Interesting and well organized, this book would be of great use to anyone

looking for a clear and concise account of community consequences of incarceration.

Jackson, J. L.

Racial Paranoia: The Unintended Consequences of Political Correctness

New York, NY: Basic Civitas, 2008, 278 pp.

ISBN: 978-0465002160

Reviewed by: Brian L. Withrow, Texas State University

DOI: 10.1177/0734016809349168

John L. Jackson’s Racial Paranoia: The Unintended Consequences of Political Correctness (2008,

Basic Civitas) emerged during the 2008 presidential campaigns. Despite the text’s timeliness and

overall quality, it is unfortunate that it was published prior to the election of President Barack

Obama. This historical event has the potential to redefine race relations in America. There is no

doubt more to be written about racial relations in America.

Jackson’s text provides a rather brief yet circuitous journey through the history of racial relation-

ships in America. He identifies three distinct periods of American racism. The first he refers to as de

jure racism. This period is characterized by ‘‘legalized racial discrimination’’ wherein racism was

‘‘thoroughly codified and sanctioned by the laws of the land.’’ According to Jackson, the pinnacle

of this period occurred during the antebellum period. Racial injustice, even to the level of abuse, was

rampant and severe during this period because it was sanctioned by the government.

The second period is referred to as de facto racism. Jackson argues that racism during this period

‘‘perpetuated itself without the same degree of explicit recourse to our justice system.’’ While the

1954 U. S. Supreme Court decision in Brown may have made segregation based on race illegal,

it did not ‘‘keep blacks out of certain occupations, neighborhoods, or restaurants ....’’ Racism was

still practiced and sometimes openly, even when it was deemed illegal.

Jackson labels our current period as de cardio racism. In this contemporary period, racism still

exists. ‘‘De cardio racism is imagined to be a kind of hidden or cloaked racism, a racism of euphe-

mism and innuendo, not heels-dug-in pronouncement of innate black inferiority.’’ Racism is now

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