The Charlottesville rally has thrust white supremacy into headlines. These are the books, recommended by leading scholars, that will help you understand its history and effects.

For those looking to take a deep dive into these themes in social, political, and cultural landscapes, BuzzFeed News put together a list of books — with help, via email, of Carol Anderson, professor of African American studies at Emory University; Nathan Connolly, professor of history at St. John's University and co-host of the podcast BackStory; Shannon Sullivan, chair and professor of philosophy at UNC Charlotte; Terrance MacMullan, professor of philosophy at Eastern Washington University; Ian Haney López, professor of law at UCLA Berkeley; and cultural critic Irene Nexica.

Bloomsbury

Representation, edited by Stuart Hall, Jessica Evans, and Sam Nixon

Representation might be less famous in the mainstream than others on this list (Nexica attributed this to the fact that it was "intended as a university textbook") but it is a key tool for understanding the ways in which media informs our understanding of identity. Nexica pointed specifically to Hall's essay, "The Spectacle of the Other," which, she said, "uses popular culture examples to talk about the ways that whiteness is centered in journalism (including sports reporting), advertising, and 'high' art. I consider this essay a great primer in the complex social constructions that overlap to create represent 'truths' that impact people with their re-presentations."

SAGE Publications

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