Greenwood Press in association with two scholars, Dr. Walter Rucker and Dr. James Upton, will publish in 2006 a two-volume encyclopedia of American race riots, beginning with the 1863 New York Draft Riot and continuing into the twenty-first century. We are especially interested in essay entries from various disciplinary approaches that document violent inter-group conflict (race riots) that arises from causes and conditions associated with modernization: industrialization, urbanization and migration. While race riots occurred primarily in urban areas, outside the South, and were primarily white instigated, this project proceeds from the assumption that race riots are power struggles between emerging minorities and existing power holders and governmental agents representing them. Therefore, this collection of essays will be concerned with the role of government authorities in fostering and channeling the emergence and development of racial conflict, and the resistance of minority communities to state-sponsored, racialized forms of violence.

This two-volume encyclopedia will be aimed at general audiences and entering college students. The entries will range from succinct 300-word definitions to in-depth 5,000-word essays and will encompass relevant events, movements and organizations, intellectual trends, and individuals. In addition to the 300 alphabetically arranged entries, this collection will include primary documents, timelines, maps, photographs, and an extensive bibliography.

If you are interested in contributing to this project, please send a three-page c.v. by October 30, 2004 to the e-mail or postal address below. Once approved we will send, via email attachment, the entry list and writing guidelines. Completed entries will be due by January 30, 2005. As is usually the case with reference works, compensation is limited to a very modest honorarium or a copy of the published encyclopedia, depending on the number and length of entries.

We sincerely hope that you will join us in this important endeavor.