NYU Press Justice at War: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights During Times of Crisis

The status of civil rights in the United States today is as volatile an issue as ever, with many Americans wondering if new laws, implemented after the events of September 11, restrict more people than they protect. How will efforts to eradicate racism, sexism, and xenophobia be affected by the measures our government takes in the name of protecting its citizens? Richard Delgado, one of the founding figures in the Critical Race Theory movement, addresses these problems with his latest book in the award-winning Rodrigo Chronicles. Employing the narrative device he and other Critical Race theorists made famous, Delgado assembles a cast of characters to discuss such urgent and timely topics as race, terrorism, hate speech, interracial relationships, freedom of speech, and new theories on civil rights stemming from the most recent war. In the course of this new narrative, Delgado provides analytical breakthroughs, offering new civil rights theories, new approaches to interracial romance and solidarity, and a fresh analysis of how whiteness and white privilege figure into the debate on affirmative action. The characters also discuss the black/white binary paradigm of race and show why it persists even at a time when the country's population is rapidly diversifying. Review Delgado raises important questions that most American studies scholarship ignores because of its narrow focus. Delgados use of fiction and dialogue allows him to model a fairly broad, interdisciplinary conversation about contemporary issues that all too often is absent in much scholarly work.-- "American Studies" Delgados analysis is fresh and thought provoking.-- "The Law and Politics Book Review" This is narrative scholarship of the highest quality. Justice at War addresses a far-ranging set of topical social issues of our times, from affirmative action to hate speech to (in)justice toward noncitizens during times of war. Accessible, well-written, and deeply insightful, Justice at War represents the most creative and thoughtful, if not brilliant, installment of the Rodrigo Chronicles so far.--Kevin Johnson, University of California at Davis Worth reading. The author genuinely loves ideas and avidly seeks racial justice. Infected by his enthusiasm, the reader may well be tempted to learn more about the important issues Delgado raises-an outcome that he would surely welcome.-- "New York Law Journal" About the Author Richard Delgado is John J. Sparkman Chair of Law at the University of Alabama and one of the founders of critical race theory. His books include The Latino/a Condition: A Critical Reader (co-edited with Jean Stefancic; New York University Press) and The Rodrigo Chronicles (New York University Press). Jennifer Hochschild is Professor of Government at Harvard University.