Can racism's devastating impact on individuals, communities, and societies be prevented? In Disrupting Racism, Dr. Peter Henry Huang offers a uniquely holistic approach to anti-racism efforts that draws from his personal experiences as an Asian American, and from his extensive scholarly work in mathematical economics, law, and education.

Writing with wit and intellectual richness, Dr. Huang describes how legal measures against racism can be complemented with mathematical economics, cognitive neuroscience, communication, psychology, and even humor. By sharing about his life as a child prodigy and later as a professor, he infuses his scholarly writing with a friendly, personal charm.

The book makes an important contribution to the often-misunderstood problem of racism against Asian Americans, which has dramatically increased in recent years. In addition, Dr. Huang addresses the root causes of all forms of racism. The evidence-based research presented in this book will be helpful for everyone who is eager to help our culture disrupt the plague of racism.

Table of Contents

Part I: A Mini-Memoir

Chapter 1: Early Childhood Parental Experimentation

Chapter 2: An Asian American Child at Princeton

Chapter 3: Three Traumatic Errors in Personal Judgment

Chapter 4: Texas Tofu, Top Gun Data, and Law School Musicals

Part II: Essays on the Law and Economics of Racism

Chapter 5: A Short History of Racism Against Asian Americans

Chapter 6: Who Gets to Define “Racism”?

Chapter 7: The Fallacy of “Respectability Politics”

Chapter 8: Overcoming Fear, Ignorance, and Prejudice

Chapter 9: The Inaccuracy of Racist Beliefs

Chapter 10: Why Racism Is Wrong

Chapter 11: Beliefs and Behavior

Chapter 12: The Law and Economics of Hate and Racism

Chapter 13: Resistance Is Not Futile

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Notes

Bibliography

Praise about Disrupting Racism

  • George Akerlof, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics

    “Disrupting Racism should be read by everyone. It is a masterpiece. Based on his personal experience, his background as a child prodigy, and his deep knowledge of law and social science, Peter Huang has given an accurate—and wholly empathetic—description of racial discrimination in America (and elsewhere). His characterization of racism leads to sensible and practical prescriptions for how to mitigate this terrible problem—possibly, even to eradicate it.”

  • Edmund Phelps, 2006 Nobel Laureate in Economics and author of Dynamism

    “This book throws new light on the damage that is being done by racial discrimination”.

  • Nathalie Martin, professor of law and Frederick M. Hart Chair in Consumer and Clinical Law at the University of New Mexico School of Law

    “Peter Huang is an incredibly engaging writer. Impeccably researched and delightfully presented, this book is one that every American will want to read. It is a true page-turner that beautifully combines economics, law, psychology, and the study of American racism.

    Disrupting Racism helps us understand the connections between economics and race, as well as our connections to ourselves and to one another. It demonstrates the long road ahead as well as the strength of the human spirit, by discussing the tremendous social and economic costs of hatred and discrimination, the effects of positive and negative feedback on recipients, and the importance of love and language. The book also contains realistic steps that can be taken to help overcome racial hatred. At this fragile moment in society, this book can help us see how fear and discrimination affect humanity and how we can rise above them both.”