Policy Press

Race, Taste, Class and Cars

By Yunis Alam

Published

Jul 22, 2020

Page count

240 pages

Browse the series

21st Century Standpoints

ISBN

978-1447353478

Dimensions

216 x 138 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 22, 2020

Page count

240 pages

Browse the series

21st Century Standpoints

ISBN

978-1447353492

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jul 22, 2020

Page count

240 pages

Browse the series

21st Century Standpoints

ISBN

978-1447353492

Imprint

Policy Press
Race, Taste, Class and Cars

Love them or hate them, most of us have an opinion about cars. If not the cars themselves, then it’s driver competence and behaviour that can offend us. And then there’s modification: alloy wheels, custom audio systems and bespoke paint jobs. For some, changing the look, feel and sound of a car says something about themselves, but for others, such enhancements signify a lack of taste, or even criminality.

In subtle and complex ways, cars transmit and modify our identities behind the wheel. As a symbol of independence and freedom, the car projects status, class, taste and, significantly, embeds racialisation. Using fascinating research from drivers, including first-person accounts as well as exploring hip-hop music and car-related TV shows, Alam unpicks the ways in which identity is rehearsed, enhanced, interpreted.

“A fascinating exploration of how identities are expressed through urban consumption. … encourages us to reflect anew about our own entangled relationship with material objects and mobilities“ John Eade, University of Roehampton

"This outstanding book shows in an exemplary way how social science can help us understand diverse experiences. Alam is an eye opener." Jörg Hüttermann, University of Bielefeld

“Brings to life the real identity, rights of passage, status and social meanings attached to both driving and car owning, timeless.” Jillian Anable, University of Leeds

“Offers new and important insights through the lens of the car into the everyday lives and identities of young British Muslim men and women, rendering them at once mundane and richly textured. A masterclass in the sociological imagination.” Claire Alexander, University of Manchester

“This important book explores the significance of the car within the cultural life of ethnic minority communities. Through fascinating personal accounts, racial and class bias are examined, and simplistic stereotypes challenged.” Alan MacDonald, HM Assistant Chief Inspector of Probation

‘’A brilliant exploration of the sociology of everyday life using the icon of the age of ‘the car’ to situate identity.’’ Yunas Samad, Lahore University of Management Sciences

“Alam’s focus is the humble car, but his analysis and rich insights reveal the centrality of these objects in producing and sustaining key aspects of social life – our identities and persistent inequalities of race, taste and class. A must read.” Nathan Manning, University of Adelaide

Yunis Alam is a sociologist, working at the University of Bradford. His research interests span ethnic relations, popular culture, ethnography and postcolonial literatures. He has also published a number of novels and short stories.

one Introduction;

two Researching Bradford: putting the ‘auto’ into ethnography;

three Communicating cars: television, popular music and everyday life;

four Consuming cars: class, ethnicity and taste;

five Car work: production, consumption and modification;

six Social psychology, cars and multi-ethnic spaces;

seven Fun-loving criminal: speed, danger and race;

eight Conclusion.