In the summer of 2020, millions of white Americans took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd and show their support for Black Lives Matter. Though the Floyd protests were unique in size, there have been occasional but important instances throughout American history where white people have supported Black Americans’ interests, from the Abolitionist Period to the Civil Rights Movement. In more contemporary contexts, President Obama once observed that, among his supporters, “some white folks” were especially enthused about him because of, rather than despite, his race. This book focuses on white racial sympathy and its consequences for modern American politics.

Distinct from low prejudice or sympathy toward any marginalized group, racial sympathy is a powerful force centered around the unique history of Black-white race relations. This racial attitude shapes white Americans’ political opinions on a wide range of public policies, from the social welfare state to the criminal justice system. Under certain circumstances, racial sympathy can influence their political behaviors, too. This does not always happen, however, and the book considers some of sympathy’s important limits. It explores, for example, why white people who are distressed over Black suffering may not do anything about it. Some White Folks brings together a range of disciplines and methods to examine the importance and complexity of interracial politics in the twenty-first century. The book is a companion to the rich literature on prejudice; it demonstrates the multifaceted role of race in American politics and public opinion.