Black, White, and Grey - Gerald Zezas - A Short Summary & Review

 Black, White, and Grey: A New Look at Racism Over the Last 50 Years - Gerald Zezas - A Short Summary & Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

A look into the ethnic relationships of modern America.

A short summary:

Black, White, and Grey examines ethnic relationships in modern America, emphasizing data, logic, and historical context rather than ideology. Gerald Zezas surveys social, political, and cultural shifts over recent decades, aiming to understand how racial narratives have evolved and why tensions persist.

Rather than framing the discussion in absolutes, the book insists on complexity. Zezas explores how policy, perception, and media contribute to division, and how oversimplified narratives often obscure the real causes of conflict. The result is an attempt to move the conversation out of slogans and into analysis.

My favorite quote from the book:

"Racism is the prism through which those who practice it see the world."

Gerald Zezas, Black, White, and Grey

Questions to ponder while reading:

Do you recognize the reality of racism?

Do you expect different things from different people?

My review of Black, White, and Grey:

This book offers a clear, logical explanation of the current state of ethnic relationships in America. One of its strongest features is its commitment to neutrality. Zezas works carefully to avoid assigning collective blame or indulging in moral grandstanding.

That even-handedness allows the book to ask harder questions. Why do certain divisions remain so persistent? Why do proposed solutions often generate more heat than resolution? By staying grounded in reason rather than outrage, Black, White, and Grey creates space for readers to think rather than react.

And still, the lingering frustration remains: really—it’s the 21st century; why haven’t we worked this out yet? This book doesn’t pretend the answers are simple, but it does make a strong case that clarity, honesty, and good faith are better starting points than perpetual polarization.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!