Professor Chandra Russo celebrated the release of her new book, “White Flank,” with a signing and reception at the Colgate Bookstore on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The event was a proud moment for both Colgate University and Russo, marking the culmination of five years of extensive ethnographic research, community analysis and sociocultural exploration.
In her new book, “White Flank: Organizing White People for Racial Justice,” Russo discusses efforts to bring white people into racial and academic justice movements for collective liberation.
As an associate professor of sociology at Colgate, she researched poor and working-class white people in rural Appalachia. This unexpected demographic provided critical information on including white people in antiracist efforts and inclusion in the region.
“White liberals tend to think that poor white people are the beating heart of racism, but this is not the case,” Russo said. “Precarious conditions are primed for extreme white capture.”
“White Flank” grapples with this long-standing question by examining a new generation of antiracist organizing through specific material struggles. The book focuses on multicultural coalitions pursuing social justice reform, particularly the growing strength of white activists who support and empower underserved Black communities facing economic and social inequity.
“Material struggle can bring white and black folks together in cross-racial unity for better livelihood conditions,” Russo said.
Her research focuses on the impact of regional organizations advancing social equity, with particular emphasis on housing insecurity. Russo said that what she saw as the disturbing lack of access to adequate, equitable and safe housing in the communities motivated her research. While the alliances Russo works with are not strictly tenant organizations, they are willing to take action on social justice issues, motivated by the shared goal of ensuring their community secures safe and affordable housing.
In particular, Russo discussed her interest in motivating white Americans to engage with social justice movements, which she said she feels is an especially relevant issue.
“The event was a wonderful opportunity to talk to members of the Colgate community about this project,” Russo said. “I think the urgency of getting more white people involved in efforts to contest racial terror, especially that perpetrated by the state, has never been more clear.”
Hamilton community members, Colgate students and colleagues from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology attended the event, joining Russo to have their copies of the book signed in honor of her accomplishment.
After years of extensive research and collaboration, the release of “White Flank” was eagerly anticipated and celebrated by members of Colgate’s sociology department, including Professor Meika Loe.
“She’s a beloved professor of social movements,” Loe said. “She employs students, walks the walk and teaches, so it’s so cool to have her publish a book that reflects her values and dedication.”
Students also played critical roles in the book’s development.
Senior Olwethu Ezell, who first met Russo in an Introduction to Sociology class her first year at Colgate, assisted her throughout the research process. Inspired by the organizations she encountered, Ezell returned to work with them over the summer, even conducting virtual field research during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Professor Chandra Russo’s work with Showing Up for Racial Justice points to a needed, however imperfect, breakthrough to calling more white people into sustainable and accessible anti-racist and anti-capitalist action and commitment,” Ezell said.
Sophomore Grace O’Connor, an advisee of Russo’s, shared a similarly encouraging sentiment.
“Professor Russo is really dedicated to investigating the racial disparities within the US, and I think her book demonstrates the passion she has for encouraging a need for change,” O’Connor said.
Russo said she plans to donate her personal proceeds from the book’s revenue to Kentucky Black, a leadership alliance empowering Black individuals to access fair and affordable housing throughout the southern Appalachian region.
