The Color Line: Legacy for the Twenty-First Century (PAUL ANTHONY BRICK LECTURES) - Hardcover

Franklin, John Hope

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826208940 ISBN 13: 9780826208941

Publisher: Univ of Missouri Pr, 1993

Synopsis

Originating as three lectures delivered at the U. of Missouri in April 1992 (just one day after the "not guilty" verdict was returned in the trial of Los Angeles police officers in the beating of Rodney King), distinguished historian Franklin reflects on the most tragic and persistent social problem in American history racism. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

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Reviews

Stronger on historical analysis than on in-depth assessments of current politics, this series of three lectures delivered in April 1992 at the University of Missouri examines America's tragic preoccupation with race. Echoing W.E.B. Du Bois's 1903 assertion that the problem of the 20th century "is the problem of the color line," historian Franklin ( From Slavery to Freedom ) argues that this will be the problem of the 21st century as well. He demonstrates how the Reagan administration "encouraged policies and measures that denied equal opportunity and equal treatment"; traces such steps toward progress as school desegregation; and explains how opponents of affirmative action frequently base their attacks on false assumptions ("A color-blind society does not exist in the United States and has never existed," the author declares). Although his necessarily brief remarks do not address such complicating factors as tensions between minority groups, class divisions and black separatism, his cogent observations will spur further discussion.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Echoing the U.S. intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois's prescient prediction about the 20th century, the eminent U.S. historian Franklin argues persuasively that the persistent, dismal reality of U.S. racial bias makes the problem of the color line the problem of the 21st century. Reviewing the sad national climate and undercurrent of resentment from Reconstruction to Reagan, Franklin reminds readers of America's lack of resolve to confront and conquer race-based economic and social inequities. The ugly race-blighted past threatens also to be the nation's future bane unless its people refuse to relive their mistakes, he warns. The three essays making up this powerful little book were originally delivered as the 1992 Paul Anthony Brick Lectures at the University of Missouri, and anyone interested in understanding or improving America needs to read them. Highly recommended.
- Thomas J. Davis, Univ. at Buffalo, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Univ of Missouri Pr
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0826208940
• ISBN 13: 9780826208941
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 104