A frank and enlightening discussion on race and the law in America today, from some of our leading legal minds—including the bestselling author of Just Mercy
This blisteringly candid discussion of the American racial dilemma in the age of Black Lives Matter brings together the head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the former attorney general of the United States, a bestselling author and death penalty lawyer, and a star professor for an honest conversation the country desperately needs to hear.
Drawing on their collective decades of work on civil rights issues as well as personal histories of rising from poverty and oppression, these titans of the legal profession discuss the importance of working for justice in an unjust time.
Covering topics as varied as “the commonality of pain,” “when ‘public’ became a dirty word,” and the concept of an “equality dividend” that is due to people of color for helping America brand itself internationally as a country of diversity and acceptance, Sherrilyn Ifill, Loretta Lynch, Bryan Stevenson, and Anthony C. Thompson engage in a deeply thought-provoking discussion on the law’s role in both creating and solving our most pressing racial quandaries. A Perilous Path will speak loudly and clearly to everyone concerned about America’s perpetual fault line.
Jgbeck –
I found this so much more uplifting than I expected, and where I once felt hopeless, I now feel a resurgence of energy toward fighting for justice and equality.
JAH –
Based on a roundtable conversation held in early 2017 by Sherrilyn Ifill (president of the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund (LDF)), Loretta Lynch (former Attorney General of the US), Bryan Stevenson (executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy), and Anthony C. Thompson (professor of clinical law and faculty director of the Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU School of Law), A Perilous Path is a written record of a discussion on race and inequalities in the US and how the 2016 election pushed us to face the fact that we have so much more work to do. The discussion took place in early 2017, not long after Trump was inaugurated as president, just after the first episode of the despicable “Muslim Ban”.I don’t think I have ever muttered “Oh my gosh THIS” under my breath as much as I did reading this book, or highlighted as much text as I did so that I could go back to it again and again. More than just a discussion on the current state of civil rights, equality, and oppression in the US in the light of a Trump presidency, A Perilous Path is a resounding conversation on what we need to do to make real, lasting change in this country. I took a lot of all of the participants’ comments, experiences, and ideas to heart, with the aim on doing my own part to lay a better foundation for now and the future.I thought the ongoing theme of “changing the narrative” was a profoundly important one, as it pertains to all areas of social life in this country. We can’t continue with the current narrative of fear and exclusion, and also one of selective memory. We need to have these types of roundtable discussions at a local level, involve kids and teenagers, and MAKE the changes.Bryan Stevenson: “[…] The people who were holding the signs that said “segregation forever” and “segregation of war,” they were never forced to put down those signs. They didn’t wave them around anymore, but they kept adhering to their value. And now we are living at a time where that thriving narrative of racial difference, that ideology of white preference, has exhibited itself, and now we are dealing with the consequences of that. We won the election in 2008, but we lost the narrative battle. We actually allowed that president to be demonized and victimized and marginalized because he’s black – not because of anything he said or did. And our comfort with that kind of demonization is, I think, at the heart of the challenge we face.”The conversation is highlighted by a personal and historical background with the civil rights movement, poverty, segregation, and the laws that govern us all, and lays out how systemic racism will not change without real involvement and initiative from all areas, grassroots to the top. Topics such as affordable housing and discrimination, education discrimination, marginalization of immigrants, and policing are also evoked, as well as how important it is to understand how we can use the law to help change the narrative.A Perilous Path is an extremely important read, very eye-opening, and also very inspiring. I finished reading this the outline of a personal plan of what I can do to change the narrative. I hope you will too.
Colt Duppen –
This book is an easy read and gives you a better idea of the whole picture, when it comes to issues regarding POC in America. It’s a discussion between 4 people that is really well-worded and packed with information. Highly recommend grabbing a copy.
Worddancer Redux –
I appreciate the fact that this is a short and fairly easy read about a difficult topic with a long and discouraging history. It would work well for an older high school student or beginning college student; it’s a less heavy introduction to what is necessary and can be very depressing history. I’d pair it with Ta-Nishi Coates’s excellent Atlantic articles.
Book lover –
I am a longtime fan of Bryan Stephenson, having read his book, Just Mercy, and heard him interviewed various times. This little book of conversations between him, Sherrilyn Ifill, Loretta Lynch, and Anthony Thompsonhas much to say about racial injustices and inequalitythat our society is plagued with. It iwas very moving to hear what these four outstanding minds had to say in that limited format in February of 2017. Bryan Stephnson’s incredible powerful words on the aftermath of slavery, and our society’s inability to truly face it, and truly come to terms with it, are worth the price of the book. I wish these same people would come together again, and continue the discussion, as we continue to make the same mistakes again and again. Hoping and praying for profound, significant, and lasting change. Discussions like this can help point the way.
One Tired Mother –
I can’t say it better than this: This blisteringly candid discussion of the American dilemma in the age of Trump brings together the head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the former attorney general of the United States, a bestselling author and death penalty lawyer, and a star professor for an honest conversation the country desperately needs to hear.It’s a small book with a big punch.
Darcia Helle –
This short book features four of the most brilliant minds on the front lines of our nation’s battle for equality and justice. Contrary to popular sentiment, justice is absolutely not blind, but sees and is heavily influenced by skin color and bank accounts. Within these pages, we take a hard look at the lingering effects of racism on our justice system, how various leaderships alter the dynamics of law and justice, and also what needs to be done moving forward.Because this is a transcript of a discussion panel event, there isn’t a lot of in-depth detail provided on any one topic. But this is not a light or shallow conversation. The information here is profound and thought-provoking.
Mitchell R. Alegre –
The book is an edited transcript of a dialogue between the four individuals listed as the book’s authors. The text has the free flow of a conversation. The reader gets to listen in on four informed, articulate individuals explore racism and inequality in America. The conversation delves into the historical, economic, political, and legal aspects of racism and inequality. No magic bullet is proposed to eliminate discrimination, but suggestions are offered of what needs to be done in the fight against racism. This is a quick read but offers much to think about. Thoughtful, open-minded individuals will benefit from reading this book.
Jackie –
*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest opinion*Wow! This was a really powerful book. It opened my eyes to issues I was not aware about, and furthered my knowledge about the issues I did know about. It was interesting to hear about these issues from people who are so involved in them. Reading this also gave me a sense of hope for our country, even though things don’t look the best right now. Highly recommend it!!
Ian Gallagher –
Pleased with product!
Wild Cooking Woman –
Well done,m conversational book which is perfect for someone who wants to learn but doesn’t want to do a college course. This examines how racism plays out in the law using both opinions and facts which are not alternative but rock solid.
Karisma –
Read this book with my book club. Short easy read and really helped to stimulate a good conversation. Would definitely recommend.