An Introduction to America’s Rigged Democratic System and Systemic Racism by Dr. Melvin Ray

Unique and riveting, this book provides a preponderance of evidence related to the existence and powerful effects of systemic racism and an alleged Rigged Democratic System in the United States. A retired sociologist/criminologist and research fellow, the author conducted a thorough investigation that focused on the birth of the rigged system; connections between racial biases and systemic racism; and roles of decision-makers. Drilling down, he illuminated often overlooked or unrecognized connections between the rigged system and the emergence and perpetuation of racial disparities or inequality. The author's investigation produced evidence in several areas that will expand the body of knowledge related to past and existing systemic racism. First, he proposed a typology of decision-makers that acknowledged the connection between prejudice and the authority to discriminate. Second, he proposed a typology of African Americans different modes of adaptation or behavioral response patterns that have increased their capacity to overcome systemic racism and secure aspects of the coveted American Dream. Third, the author paints a clear picture of systemic or institutional racism in terms of laws, social policies, and/or discriminatory patterns/practices within government subsystems and private institutions. Similar to a criminal investigation, each public subsystem and institution was examined as if they were separate crime scenes. Fourth, the author produced clear and compelling evidence of linkages between political influence, support for quality public education, educational attainment, detention/prison rates, median income, homeownership, life expectancy, entrepreneurship, and wealth accumulation. Finally, based on the totality of evidence presented, the author issued a thoughtful and compelling call for Americans to officially recognize and applaud blacks for involuntarily serving as models of extraordinary perseverance and phenomenal resiliency.