47 pages 1 hour read

Ian Haney-López

White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1996

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Essay Topics

1.

What varied factors shape the racial make-up of the American populace? Why does Haney López argue that race is a social construct, rather than biological?

2.

Compare and contrast Ozawa and Thind, focusing on the Supreme Court’s rationale in each case. How did Thind contradict the rationale of Ozawa, while also maintaining racism?

3.

Discuss the significance of Wong Kim Ark. How does this Supreme Court case relate to current debates about the 14th Amendment?