This brief paperback text provides an analysis of racism, not race relations. It uses the concept of "internal colonialism," a prominent conflict theory throughout to emphasize the oppressive nature of American racism. Using a powerful and direct writing style, the book uses two decisive levels of analysis: the broad macro-level analysis of forces producing racism and the micro-level focus on case-study material demonstrating the intimate workings of racist reality. Beginning with a historical background on America's main racial minorities, it then examines the effects of racism on each group in areas of politics, criminal justice, violence, work, education, family, and mass media.