Stationary Interference

Book review

The fact that power is a sudden, brief, abnormal increase in the standard explains its ability to be quickly attained, and to quietly damage, degrade, and destroy.

Race equity is the desired foundational state of collectively addressing systemic inequalities. Because it is intertwined and inseparable from gender equality, it can theoretically be achieved if and where it ensures fair outcomes for everyone.

With a focus on four key areas, the title Black Power Scorecard: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close It by Andre M. Perry examines US-based racial inequality. A contemporary reassessment of the persistent gaps in criminal justice, economics, education, and health, this work examines why Black Americans continue to rank differently in areas of progress.

This title uses a proprietary scorecard to assess “progress-based” data-driven analytics. While rich in nuance, its examination of Black Americans’ perceived status and critique of the idea that affluence equates genuine progress will not appeal to casual readers or others who are not pursuing academic research.

Initially published in 2020, this book provides a national perspective on the ongoing struggles for racial equality and the barriers to it. The author maintains that to attain fundamental shifts, combined civic empowerment/engagement, restorative justice, and policy-based government intervention are needed.

This title can be described as either a call to action or a genuine attempt to inspire change. However, because its perspective is immediate, it does not consider the experiences or long-standing injustices disproportionately affecting Black women or acknowledge the need to design gender-inclusive solutions.

Given that experiences shape identity, minority readers will not look for space to argue against the author’s findings about historical restrictions to social mobility. Regardless, expectations of government and other policy-backed initiatives to address or correct racial equity from the current Administration will remain a pipe dream.

Rating: ★★★