White Attitudes Toward Black People" by Angus Campbell (Vintage 1971 ISR Edition)

​The Artifact

This is the raw data of the divide. Published in August 1971 by the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan, this book captures the mindset of white America during the most volatile years of the Civil Rights movement (1964–1970). It isn't an opinion piece; it is a scientific autopsy of prejudice, based on thousands of interviews across 15 major US cities.

​Why This Treasure Matters Today

If you want to understand the "Silent Majority," the flight to the suburbs, or the roots of modern polarization, this book provides the receipts.

• ​The Data of Polarization: The book features incredible charts tracking "Feelings Toward Whites and Negroes" from 1964 to 1970. It documents exactly how the "white backlash" to the Civil Rights movement manifested in real-time.
• ​Mapping the Mindset: The chapter on "The Social Location of White Attitudes" breaks down who held these views—analyzing them by age, education, and geography. It challenges the lazy narrative that racism was only a "southern problem."
• ​The Suburban Shift: With a dedicated chapter on "White Attitudes in the Suburbs", this text explains the psychological and physical walls built during the "white flight" era—walls that still define our cities today.

​Applicability

This is a critical tool for the modern researcher or activist. Use it to:

• ​Compare historical polling data with today's political climate.
• ​Understand the "patterns of change" (or lack thereof) in interracial contact.
• ​See the historical precedent for "satisfaction vs. dissatisfaction" narratives used in media today.

​Condition Report

• ​Edition: 1st Edition, August 1971. Published by ISR (Institute for Social Research).
• ​Binding: Paperback.
• ​Cover: The minimalist cream cover with bold typography shows signs of its journey. There is visible "foxing" (small brown age spots) and general shelf wear.
• ​Spine: Intact and legible, with the "ISR" logo at the base.
• ​Interior: The binding is tight. Pages show age-appropriate tanning but are clean, making the data tables easy to read