ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a multifaceted approach to understanding the underpinnings of current social activism which declares "Black Lives Matter". The book presents a holistic picture of the great number of wounds inflicted upon black bodies by a persistent racial order. The first part of the book addresses how the racial order persists, misunderstandings between blacks (then Negroes) and whites regarding racial injustice of the era, possible positive functions of rage, and the disproportionate violent victimization rates among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people of color. The second part includes case studies and examples of how the racial order does damage to where and how well black bodies live, federal housing policies and individual practices, and homophobia. The final part includes violence regarding the image of blackness and film and television programming.
