Anti-Black Prejudice in America traces the deep historical roots of colonial/racial attitudes of Europeans as they discovered, conquered, and settled the Americas, importing and exploiting enslaved Africans as their labor force. Europeans saw themselves as inherently far superior to non-European people. They did not accord those "others" the same respect and rights as they owed to those of their own racial, national, and religious background.
The very institution of slavery perpetuated and deepened prejudicial attitudes. Following the emancipation of the slaves, the "Jim Crow" era kept most blacks in an oppressed state, and the "eugenics" movement allowed anti-black prejudices to attain a purportedly scientific basis. The fear of "mongrelization" of the American population was partly due to the belief that with regard to sex, blacks were physically and emotionally more potent than whites and also less able to keep their emotions in check. In combination with a conservative Christian morality viewing sex as something dirty and sinful, it gave rise to an image of all black men as potential "Black Rapists," a fearsome image heavily exploited by advocates of segregation and oppression of blacks. Thousands of blacks were brutally and publicly lynched or simply disappeared without a trace. The book thoroughly explores those factors contributing to the image of blacks as inferior and dangerous human beings.
The black civil rights movement began to gain steam in the 1950s, with the first significant legal victory being the Supreme Court's 1954 decision that school segregation was inherently unconstitutional. The black civil rights movement was joined by movements for equal rights by women, Latinos, Native Americans, and non-heterosexual groups. This broad movement merged with the sudden breakthrough of the youthful, rebellious, and racially diverse rock'n'roll culture and the decline of sexual prudishness that characterized the 1960s. These mutually reinforcing trends made the 1960s a genuinely revolutionary era in America.
The book chronicles how the Vietnam War and nationwide urban riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King caused a conservative backlash that gave America Richard Nixon. The vigorous liberalizing trend in American mores slowed down to a crawl. Racial tensions and inequalities are still among the nation's most serious problems.
Eklof digs deep into the Puritanical roots of the U.S., like fulminations against masturbation from preachers like 19th century preacher Sylvester Graham, and into the harrowing histories of slavery, Reconstruction, and more, to make the case that “obsessively prudish morality … made blacks the targets of particularly fearful prejudice.” In this, his project echoes one of its sources, the 1944 report by Gunnar Myrdal titled An American Dilemma, which noted, among other hard truths, “a close relation between lynching and thwarted sexual urges.”
Like Myrdal, Eklof is Swedish, and brings an intimate outsider’s view to his survey, writing with an unsparing directness about hatred, haters, and their enablers. “It was becoming increasingly difficult to be oblivious and unconcerned,” he writes, after describing the acquittal of Emmett Till’s murderers, one of many 1960s incidents examined at length in the book’s back half, an exhaustive, beat-by-beat examination of the Civil Rights Era. There’s not much here covering the complexities of the last fifty years, or mass incarceration and contemporary efforts to suppress history, though the book stands as a clear-eyed, upsetting work of moral integrity.
Takeaway: Outraged, deeply researched history of the roots of American racism.
Comparable Titles: Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, Anne Warfield Rawls and Waverly Duck’s Tacit Racism.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
A.McB.: I like the book and give it five out of five stars because it is very well researched, brings to the front information supported by relevant facts, and the photographs add value. It is a well-laid-out book and easy to follow, and it is evident that the writer had some very good editors who worked on the project.
R.U.M: The book is an excellent resource for comprehending the issue's complexity and its lasting impact on American culture… The book's thorough coverage of the subject, engaging writing, and meticulous research have earned it an excellent rating.
A.J.: I had a great time reading the book and found it to be engrossing from start to finish. It expertly distilled a complicated subject matter without lessening its tremendous impact and maintained objectivity throughout.
K.K.: This book deserves 5 out of 5 stars. It is a well-written and edited book that explores the history and causes of anti-black prejudice in America. It is not only informative but also thought-provoking and challenging.
V.33: What sets this book apart is the author's storytelling ability. Despite the heavy subject matter, Eklof manages to engage readers by presenting facts in an engaging and accessible manner.
S.S.1: One standout feature of Eklof's work is his ability to bring historical characters to life through vivid storytelling. He crafts these figures with depth and complexity, eliciting a range of emotions from empathy to anger.
R.C.: Anti-Black Prejudice In America by Anders Eklof is an astonishing exploration into the convoluted and enigmatic realm of racial prejudice against black individuals in the United States
E.D.: I gave this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars because Eklof's profound analysis and captivating storytelling compel readers to confront uncomfortable truths and reckon with the lasting impact of anti-black prejudice.
P.O.: The intensity of the book and the range of emotions it evokes can be overwhelming.
M.T.: This was easily the most well-researched book I have come across on the topic of racial prejudice.
O.V.: The book impresses with its extensive research, historical accuracy, and informative insights.
T.M.: It's simply excellent. I loved all portions of it.
E.E.E.: The level of detail provided is outstanding, showcasing the author's meticulous research and commitment to accuracy. Overall, this book is a truly unique and astonishing piece of work.
O.K.: I awarded this book a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars due to its profound concepts and captivating writing style.
K.K.: Anyone interested in learning about prejudices against blacks in the United States should read this book. It is a masterpiece and deals with matters of racism in detail.
M.S.O.: In conclusion, this book is a profoundly enlightening exploration of the historical foundations and enduring impacts of racism in the United States.
A.E.C.G.: It stands as an exceptional piece of education and research, presenting authentic evidence, references, images, and thoroughly analyzed facts concerning a historical matter that regrettably continues to exist in certain areas today.
N.O.M.I.: Without hesitation, I enthusiastically recommend this non-fiction work to those who appreciate thought-provoking literature.
L.O.: I have a deep admiration for the book, as it skillfully brings attention to the harsh realities of racism and prejudice in America… I gave this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars due to its exceptional writing style and engaging narrative.
H.A.: This is one of the best and most objective books I've read about racial prejudices against Blacks, and as a history fan, I am glad I came across it.
P.M.: I loved everything that I read because it awoke something in me. It made me more aware of the current state of affairs and how I should look at anti-black prejudice in a new light.
O.E.: Overall, I found the book to be unique in its content. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of the arduous struggle undertaken to secure fundamental human rights for the black community in America.
O.B.: The book is quite immense. It draws from a lot of published sources. It's simply one of the most informative books I've read in a long while. It was also edited exceptionally well, which I appreciated.
v.: I hold great admiration for the author of this extraordinary book, as it stands as a remarkable achievement in conveying history to a younger audience.
H.V.: Anders Eklof's Anti-Black Prejudice in America: Its Roots in Tribalism, Religion, and Sexuality offers a profound exploration of the complex and enduring issue of racism in America.
Oji.E.: This book evoked a range of emotions within me, as I experienced deep sadness and distress upon learning about the immense suffering endured by innocent black individuals, vividly depicted in its pages. Conversely, moments of joy arose when reading about the movement's triumphs at various stages.
Rapppp.: I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, finding it captivating from beginning to end.
