Alchemy of Race and Rights

... Show More
Patricia Williams is a lawyer and a professor of commercial law, the great-great-granddaughter of a slave and a white southern lawyer. The Alchemy of Race and Rights is an eloquent autobiographical essay in which the author reflects on the intersection of race, gender, and class. Using the tools of critical literary and legal theory, she sets out her views of contemporary popular culture and current events, from Howard Beach to homelessness, from Tawana Brawley to the law-school classrom, from civil rights to Oprah Winfrey, from Bernhard Goetz to Marth Beth Whitehead. She also traces the workings of "ordinary racism"--everyday occurences, casual, unintended, banal perhaps, but mortifying. Taking up the metaphor of alchemy, Williams casts the law as a mythological text in which the powers of commerce and the Constitution, wealth and poverty, sanity and insanity, wage war across complex and overlapping boundaries of discourse. In deliberately transgressing such boundaries, she persues a path toward racial justice that is, ultimately, transformative. Williams gets to the roots of racism not by fingerpointing but by much gentler methods. Her book is full of anecdote and witness, vivid characters known and observed, trenchant analysis of the law's shortcomings. Only by such an inquiry and such patient phenomenology can we understand racism. The book is deeply moving and not so, finally, just because racism is wrong--we all know that. What we don't know is how to unthink the process that allows racism to persist. THis Williams enables us to see. The result is a testament of considerable beauty, a triumph of moral tactfullness, The result, as the title suggests, is magic.

Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 46 votes)
5 stars
13(28%)
4 stars
10(22%)
3 stars
23(50%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
46 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
The so-called "lukewarm anti-communist critical legal theory" put forward by a certain law professor is truly annoying.

It seems that this professor, who is supposed to be dedicated to the field of law, clearly shows a hatred for her own profession.

Her theory, which is filled with anti-communist undertones, not only fails to contribute positively to the development of legal studies but also undermines the credibility and objectivity of the academic field.

Such a stance is not only irresponsible but also goes against the principles and values that the legal profession should uphold.

We should be vigilant against such theories and encourage a more rational, objective, and positive attitude towards legal research and practice.
July 15,2025
... Show More

I absolutely adored this book. It doesn't matter to me if it makes me seem like a raving, feminist Wellesley-graduating stereotype. I have heard that in some of her later works, she is less angry. However, I just really like this particular one. It makes me want to get mad!


The story in this book is so engaging and thought-provoking. It challenges the status quo and makes you question many things. The author's writing style is also very unique, which adds to the overall charm of the book. I found myself completely immersed in the world she created.


Even though some might think that being a feminist and loving this book is a cliche, I don't care. I believe that everyone should have the right to express their opinions and love what they love. This book has had a profound impact on me, and I will definitely be recommending it to others.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I simply cannot bring myself to speak about Williams' ideas. Her writing style is so overly affected and attempts to be that of a poet in such a forced manner that it completely obscures any semblance of real thought. It's truly a pity that her work is marred by this excessive affectation.

One can't help but wonder if she was more focused on the appearance of being a profound thinker rather than actually having something meaningful to convey.

No wonder this book cost me only $.50. It seems that the publishers themselves may have recognized the lack of substance within its pages and priced it accordingly.

It serves as a reminder that sometimes, a book's price can be a reflection of its true value. In this case, it's clear that Williams' work falls far short of what one might expect from a truly engaging and thought-provoking piece of literature.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Dr. Williams is not only a highly respected professional in his field but also a significant contributor to The Nation magazine.

His insights and ideas have been widely recognized and have made a valuable impact on the readers of this renowned publication.

With his great mind, Dr. Williams is able to analyze complex issues and present them in a clear and engaging manner.

His contributions have added depth and breadth to the magazine's content, making it more informative and thought-provoking.

Whether it's through his in-depth research, incisive commentary, or unique perspectives, Dr. Williams continues to make a name for himself as a leading voice in his area of expertise and a valuable asset to The Nation magazine.

His work serves as an inspiration to others and encourages further exploration and discussion of important topics.

We can look forward to many more contributions from Dr. Williams in the future, as he continues to share his great mind with the world.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Patricia Williams is indeed one of the rare critical race scholars.

She has not only engaged in extensive experimentation with challenging the content of stories within and around legal scholarship but also with the very way these stories are told.

Williams is acutely conscious of the norms regarding style, performance, and format that are employed in conventional, hegemonic legal writing.

Subsequently, she deftly utilizes this understanding to ingeniously reverse these norms, thereby jolting the reader into awareness of their own unconscious involvement in the construction of such norms.

As she herself writes, “I am attempting to fashion a genre of legal writing to bridge the gaps of traditional legal scholarship. I desire to write in a manner that discloses the intersubjectivity of legal constructions, compelling the reader both to partake in the construction of meaning and to be cognizant of that process” (7-8).

The outcome is a revolutionary amalgamation of literary art and legal criticism, which has the potential to transform the way we perceive and engage with legal scholarship.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Strong discussion against the objectivity of race in legal arguments has emerged. Williams delves into the power of language and context in law through her personal experience and profound knowledge.

She questions what "impersonal" writing truly means, suggesting it is a form of self-denial. If withholding is an ideology worthy of teaching, we should be more transparent about it as the fundamental principle. We must also recognize that denying one's authority in authorship is not the same as eliminating oneself; it is a ruse, not reality. The aim of this ruse is to further empower, appealing to neutral, shared, and even universal understandings. In a vacuum, perhaps there is nothing amiss with this attempt to empower, as it generates respect, distance, and a certain deference to the sleekness of a product stripped of its personalized complexity. However, in a world of real others, the cost of such exclusive forms of discourse is empowerment at the expense of one's relationship with those others, empowerment without communion. As the comfort of this false power becomes habitual, it is easy to forget that the source of one's power is quite limited, not the fiat of a heavenly mandate. It is easy to overlook how much the grandiosity of power depends on the courtesy and restraint of a society of others equally endowed as oneself.

The assumption of neutral, impersonal writing styles also implies a lack of risk. It is not only a ruse but a warm, protective haven to retreat to, as if one were to throw a shoe out the front door while insisting no one is home. Williams also believes that the personal is not the same as "private"; the personal is merely highly particular. She contends that the personal has fallen into disrepute as sloppy because we have lost the courage and the vocabulary to describe it in the face of the enormous social pressure to "keep it to ourselves." Yet, this is where our most idealistic and our deadliest politics are located and revealed.

(92-93)
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is one of the best books I've ever read.

It's also, I firmly believe, one of the most crucial ones.

Particularly in the present era, when a significant number of (white) individuals are having their eyes opened to the existence of systemic racism in this country.

The book delves deep into the complex and often overlooked aspects of racism, providing valuable insights and perspectives.

It forces the readers to confront the uncomfortable truths and challenges them to think about how they can contribute to making a change.

By reading this book, one can gain a better understanding of the historical and social context that has led to the current state of affairs.

It serves as a wake-up call, urging us to take action and work towards a more just and equal society.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to be informed and engaged in the fight against systemic racism.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Long ago,

in a bygone era, there was a story that seemed to be just that - a story. It was a tale that was passed down through the generations, told in hushed voices around campfires or in the quiet corners of old homes.

However, as time went on, people began to find it "tough to read." The language used was archaic, the sentence structures complex and convoluted. What was once a vivid and engaging narrative had become a challenge to decipher.

Perhaps it was because the world had changed so much. The simple joys and struggles that the story depicted were no longer as relevant to the modern age. Or maybe it was just that the passage of time had made the story lose some of its luster.

Nevertheless, there were still those who were determined to keep the story alive. They painstakingly studied the words, trying to unlock their hidden meanings and bring the story back to life. And in doing so, they discovered that there was still much to be learned from this old tale, even if it was tough to read.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.