In the book review titled “Nice Is Not Enough: Inequality and the Limits of Kindness at American High” by C.J. Pascoe, the author argues that the emphasis on “niceness” at a working- and middle-class public high school called “American High” prevents community members from recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities. Pascoe introduces the concept of a “politics of protection” that frames issues like gun violence, gender and sexual harassment, racism, and mental health as external and random rather than systemic or preventable. The book provides a comprehensive ethnography of the school, highlighting the experiences of queer students and the challenges they face in celebrating their identities. The review raises questions about how researchers evaluate participants and conceptualize inequality. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into gender inequality and its intersections with sexuality, race, and class.