Editorial Review

This book is a chilling account of the successful $176 million class-action racial discrimination suit brought against the Texaco corporation by Bari-Ellen Roberts and her 1,400 fellow African American colleagues. Roberts served as a senior financial analyst at Texaco from 1990 to 1997. With help from Read more

Reviews (20)

One Admirable Woman's Story; One Company's Shame
I regret that this story is written "with Jack E. White" and not told by Roberts herself.The value of this book is primarily as a personal memoir.As told by White, it is a rather superficial, though intimate, personal outline of Roberts' life--the difficult time she had growing up, her ill-fated marriage, her strength and ambition in the face of adversity.I came away from the book admiring Roberts for her courage and determination, and appalled at Texaco's corporate culture, its hierarchy and unforgiveable prejudice.Were it not for anti-discrimination law, Texaco's sins would have remained hidden and unrectified.Until further notice, I'll certainly be buying my gasoline anywhere else!

Wonderful account of race and corporate America
I enjoyed this book tremendously.It was a little slow toward the end, but overall it was very well-written.It's a shame that this type of blatant racism still exists today, not that I'm surprised, but it's truly a shame.It took a lot of courage and stamina on Roberts' part to force Texaco to acknowlegde their archaeic and ignorant business practices relative to race.I applaud Bari Ellen Roberts even when there are those who still believe in Texaco's innocence...much like the reviewer who chooses to perpetuate one of America's largest problems...the belief that other races are inferior and should bow down to this almighty, superior race."Forgive him, for he knows not what he does."I enjoyed reading about her life and what she went through that made her into what she is today.This is definitely a book worth reading for all.

An Eye-Opening View of Overcoming Corporate Racism
Roberts vs. Texaco,a true story of race and corporate America, started a little slow, depicting Bari-Ellen Roberts' life since childhood.At first, I didn't know why it went into such detail, but as I read along, I understood how all of the pieces in her life connected to the storyline.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Corporate & Business History - General    4. Discrimination    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    6. Labor    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession   

Reviews (3)

Enlightening
This is an excellent introduction to critical race theory. Well-written and supported by fascinating examples, it provides an insightful introduction to the school of thought of which Richard Delgado was one of the founders. The reviewer who found it poorly supported and insighting hate is quite misguided, for this introduction does not draw enormous conclusions but rather makes humble suggestions. It is not surprising that it made the reviewer feel uncomfortable, for nobody likes to admit to his/her racisms, which is actually one of Delgado's ideas. Racism is too loaded of a word and this society needs to develop more vocabulary to describe such emotions/feelings.

Horribly twisted and disgusting
This book not portrays every white person in America as a racist, but does so in a racist manner itself. The book cites almost no facts to prove its assertions that whites are inwardly racist because of their being white, and that radical measures such as affirmative action across the board (in jobs, schooling, housing, etc.) needs to become common practice to "overcome the disadvantages of being Black." The book claims to want to help all poor members of society, but mentions poor whites only in passing. The book does not effectively prove any of its claims, instead using obviously exaggerated and unlikely examples to make a point. This book only incited anger in me, not sympathy for the "poor Black man."

Eye-opening!A Safe and Non-Threatening Introduction
This book will change the way you view race and ethnicity in America.The authors present material and concepts that have come out of critical race theory in a readable format that is accessible to everyone.Although you may be confused about how to pin down precisely what "critical race theory" is (unfortunately, the authors don't really explain the overarching concept very well), you will be exposed to a plethora of new and radical (?) ideas that no other book or class will likely have introduced you to, such as interest convergence, which is the idea that a law will only change in favor of blacks when it is also perceived as being favorable by whites for whites.There are plenty of anecdotes, cases, and questions to keep you on your toes.This book is written in such a way so that any introductory class in history or sociology could utilize the book.I highly recommend it to professors and instructors of these courses, or to the general reader interested in race in America.Agree or disagree with them, you can't come away from the ideas in this book without thinking, and you'll never look at the legal system in the United States in quite the same way again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Critical legal studies    3. Discrimination    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Ethnic Studies - General    6. Law    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal Education    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Philosophy    11. Race And Ethnic Relations    12. Race discrimination    13. Race relations    14. Sociology    15. United States    16. Constitutional & administrative law    17. Ethnic studies    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Cases    4. Discrimination    5. Discrimination in employment    6. General    7. Labor & Employment    8. Law and legislation    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. United States    11. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry   

Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Discrimination    3. Great Britain    4. Human Rights    5. Law    6. Law and legislation    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Political Freedom & Security - Human Rights    9. Political Science    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Social Law    12. English law: employment & labour law    13. Law / Discrimination    14. Law | Civil Rights Law   

Subjects:  1. Discrimination    2. Gender & the Law    3. Gender Studies    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Constitutional & administrative law    7. Law / Gender & the Law    8. USA   

Subjects:  1. Discrimination    2. Labor & Industrial Relations - General    3. Law    4. Law and legislation    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Sex discrimination against wom    7. Sex discrimination against women    8. Sex discrimination in employme    9. Sex discrimination in employment    10. United States    11. Women employees    12. Women's Studies - General    13. Workplace Culture    14. Laws of Other Jurisdictions & General Law    15. Sex discrimination    16. USA    17. Women's studies    18. Work & labour   

Reviews (1)

An Analysis of a New Reality
A law professor's critical analysis of our society's discrimination by default
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Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Discrimination    3. Equality before the law    4. Law    5. Law (General)    6. Law and legislation    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Race And Ethnic Relations    9. Race discrimination    10. United States    11. Law / General    12. Racism & racial discrimination    13. UNITED STATES_RACE RELATIONS   

Reviews (4)

Information for Victims and the Workplace
This book tells how to confront the harasser. If the harassment continues, the legal steps are covered.For an employer, it provides information on policies, complaint procedures, training sessions and monitoring to prevent harassment.
Good Resource
I found the book to be pretty straightforward and easy to read. It gives all the pertinent information on the subject from the law to how to stop sexual harassment to your legal remedies. One of the best features is that provides an array of case studies that clear up a lot of the gray areas. I used the book to help me develop a training on the subject, I recommend it to anyone who needs more info on the subject.

An Excellent Resource
As an employment attorney and human resource consultant who trains organizations on harassment policy, I use this book as a great reference material. I often suggest it to supervisors who want to know more about how to deal with this complex and difficult problem.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Discrimination    5. Human Resources & Personnel Management    6. Labor & Employment    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Offenses Against Women    10. Popular works    11. Practical Guides    12. Sex Discrimination In Employment    13. Sex discrimination    14. Sexual harassment    15. Sexual harassment of women    16. United States   

Reviews (1)

great book
This is a great book for anyone who is interested in segregation both past and present. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Decision making    3. Discrimination    4. Discrimination in housing    5. Economic Conditions    6. General    7. History    8. Law and legislation    9. Political Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Presidents    13. United States    14. Housing    15. Political Science / General    16. USA   

Reviews (2)

The power plays underlying sexual harassment at work
Sexual harassment in the workplace may not be as easily identified as leering moves on the parts of supervisors and co-workers: it's also a power play and individuals need help to get back in control. That's why SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE is so important: it defines and outlines different forms of such harassment, tells how to prevent it and how to file an effective complaint, and how to work with a lawyer and an employer. From compiling the initial report to escalating the complaint, SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE walks you through every move. An essential guide to making the right moves and understanding the law.
How To Stop Harassment
The primary U.S. law regarding sexual conduct in the workplace, which Congress enacted in 1964, has had a profound impact on American society and business. Attorney Mary L. Boland's comprehensive handbook tells employers and employees how to define and prevent this problem and explains what to do if you are a victim. She provides the right level of detail for nonlawyers, pointing out the kinds of issues, conditions and events that can trigger a complaint. The book is readable and clearly organized, with sections that explain employer responsibilities, legal resources and remedies - from filing a lawsuit to arbitration and mediation. Four appendices and a glossary add valuable information. We highly recommend this lucid, practical book to human resource managers, executives, small business owners and employees at every level, particularly victims of sexual harassment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Laws And Regulations    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Discrimination    5. Gender & the Law    6. General    7. Labor & Employment    8. Law    9. Law and legislation    10. Legal Reference / Law Profession    11. Sexual Ethics    12. Sexual harassment    13. United States    14. Workplace Culture    15. Law / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Discrimination    2. Discrimination in employment    3. Law    4. Law and legislation    5. United States   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Discrimination    3. European Union countries    4. Labor & Employment    5. Law    6. Law and legislation    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. EU employment & labour law    9. EU law: social    10. Law / Discrimination    11. Law | European Law   

Reviews (4)

Just Words - Flawed but Important
Combining the "science of talk" with the legal system is relatively new field, both in the academic world, as well as for myself. Conley and O'Barr strike an interesting chord in the study of the law in claiming that the study of language is inextricably intertwined with legal processes. In analyzing research and historical theories, Conley and O'Barr attempt to strengthen the school of thought that places added emphasis on the study of what and how things are said, as opposed to more simplistic analyses of the law.
It's All in the Details (of Legal Discourse, That Is...)
In order to fully understand legal discourse, especially in a setting where justice is supposed to reign supremely and yet, is wrought with inequality, one must first recognize the importance of words and the ways in which they are used to un/successfully advocate an individual's cause.This book presents a solid case with thorough explanations of the discrepancies that arise in approaches to utilizing this litigious dialogue.Through its common illustrations of everyday problems with simple legal matters due to inability to speak one's case, it leaves the reader struggling to figure out, not only how this communication crisis can be resolved, but also how our legal system reached the point of elitism that it has, in fact, arrived at.There are some questionable elements of the text; I found that Conley and O'Barr often portrayed women as much weaker and incapable individuals than they have proven themselves to be in society as of late, and I often questioned how they obtained some of their data and conclusions.However, I would recommend the book, as it is thoroughly thought provoking and well written.

Are Words Truly "Just" Words?
In anthropology, linguistics is the smallest branch of the "four fields" (including biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and archaeology).In linguistics, only a small segment of researchers study issues pertaining to the courtroom and legal issues in general.However, despite the relative scarcity of material related directly to legal linguistics, John M. Conley and William M. O'Barr in Just Words: Law, Language, and Power demonstrate the importance of this emergent field of research.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Discrimination    3. English language    4. Equality before the law    5. General    6. Language    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Linguistics    10. Rhetoric    11. Sex differences    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Jurisprudence & philosophy of law    15. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural   

Reviews (1)

American apartheid
Strictly speaking, apartheid in its literal legal form in South Africa, had no counterpart in post-Civil War United States. Or did it? This is the disturbing question raised by Delaney. He studies the legal apparatus in various American states, from before the Civil War to 1948. The largely successful attempts by segregationists to codify segregation into statutes is a disturbing echo of what the South African apartheid government was to do between 1948 and 1994.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination    2. Discrimination & Racism    3. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    4. History    5. Law and legislation    6. Minority Studies - Race Relations    7. Multicultural Nonfiction    8. Philosophy    9. Race discrimination    10. Race relations    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. United States    14. Racism & racial discrimination    15. Social Science / African-American Studies   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Discrimination    3. Law    4. Law and legislation    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Race discrimination    7. International human rights law    8. Jurisprudence & General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice    2. Discrimination    3. Gender & the Law    4. Law    5. Law and legislation    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Sex discrimination in educatio    8. Sex discrimination in education    9. Sex discrimination in employme    10. Sex discrimination in employment    11. Sexual harassment    12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Constitutional    2. Discrimination    3. Discrimination & Racism    4. Law    5. Law and legislation    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Legal status, laws, etc.    8. Race discrimination    9. United States    10. Whites    11. Citizenship & nationality law    12. Racism & racial discrimination    13. Social Science / Discrimination & Race Relations    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Americans with Disabilities Ac    2. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990    3. Discrimination    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Discrimination against the men    6. Discrimination against the mentally ill    7. Law    8. Law and legislation    9. Legal Reference / Law Profession    10. Medical Law & Legislation    11. Mental Disorders    12. Mental Health    13. Mental Illness    14. Mental health laws    15. Sociology - General    16. United States    17. United States.    18. Disability: social aspects    19. Private, property, family law    20. Social law    21. USA   

Subjects:  1. Discrimination    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Gender & the Law    4. Labor & Employment    5. Law and legislation    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Sex discrimination in employme    8. Sex discrimination in employment    9. Sexual harassment of women    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. United States    13. Labour economics    14. USA    15. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Civil Rights    2. Discrimination    3. Essays    4. General    5. Jackson County    6. Jury selection    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Race discrimination    10. Texas    11. Trials (Murder)    12. United States