Between Barack and a Hard Place by Tim Wise Summary
Overview of Between Barack and a Hard Place
Tim Wise's provocative analysis challenges post-Obama racial myths, introducing "Racism 2.0" - a subtle discrimination beneath surface progress. Hailed by Danny Glover as "extremely important" and compared to Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," it asks: Did Obama's election mask deeper racial realities?
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Key takeaways
When Victory Masks Inequality
November 4, 2008: champagne corks flew, strangers embraced on city streets, and Oprah wept openly on national television. Barack Obama had shattered what many believed was America's ultimate glass ceiling. Within hours, pundits declared racism dead, the civil rights struggle complete, America finally "post-racial." But what if this celebration obscured a darker truth? What if Obama's triumph didn't signal racism's end but rather its evolution into something more insidious-a form that celebrates exceptional Black individuals while leaving millions trapped in systemic inequality? This isn't about diminishing Obama's achievement. It's about recognizing that one man's success, however historic, doesn't dismantle centuries of structural oppression. The real question isn't whether America could elect a Black president, but whether that election changed anything for the 90 million people of color still navigating discriminatory housing markets, underfunded schools, and a criminal justice system that targets them disproportionately.
The Dangerous Comfort of Exceptionalism
The Brutal Reality Behind the Rhetoric
Segregation's Modern Face
Education's Unequal Foundation
The New Caste System
Reclaiming Responsibility, Reimagining America
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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