This book offers a comprehensive history of the United States from the viewpoint of Indigenous peoples, spanning over 400 years. It challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the struggles, resilience, and resistance of Native American communities against colonialism and imperialism. Adapted from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's original work, it includes discussion topics and archival images to engage young readers.
Published in 1903, 'The Souls of Black Folk' is a foundational text of American literature and sociology. The book explores themes of race, identity, and the quest for equality in an era marked by systemic racism and segregation. Du Bois reflects on the historical context of Emancipation, the double-consciousness of being both Black and American, and the struggles of the Black community. His prophetic remarks and critical insights have been cited as the intellectual framework for the Civil Rights movement and continue to influence contemporary writers.
The Clansman, published in 1905, is the second novel in Thomas Dixon Jr.'s trilogy about the Ku Klux Klan. It presents a pro-Confederate view of the American Civil War and Reconstruction, glorifying the Klan as protectors of Southern whites. The novel was adapted into a successful play and later into D. W. Griffith's influential film, The Birth of a Nation.
In *The Counter-Revolution of 1836*, Gerald Horne examines the Texas Revolution as a pivotal event that not only solidified slavery in Texas but also contributed to the broader development of fascism in the United States. Horne argues that the revolution was driven by the desire to protect slaveholding interests and expand territorial control, setting a precedent for future conflicts over slavery and racial supremacy.
This book challenges the traditional academic views of the Reconstruction era, particularly those of the Dunning School, by highlighting the significant roles and agency of African Americans during this period. Du Bois argues that the actions of freed slaves and black workers were crucial in the Civil War and the subsequent attempt to reconstruct American society. He also examines the efforts of the elite planter class to retain control and the division among the Southern working class along racial lines, which ultimately led to the disfranchisement of many blacks and poor whites[1][3][5].
In 'The Rediscovery of North America', Barry Lopez critiques the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the European settlement of North America, highlighting the destructive impact on the environment. He challenges readers to adopt a new ethic that prioritizes making the continent a true home, rather than continuing its exploitation. The book is a powerful reflection on the need for a deeper connection with the natural world.
Written by C.L.R. James in 1938, 'The Black Jacobins' is a pioneering historical work that recounts the Haitian Revolution of 1791–1804. The book places the revolution in the context of the French Revolution and highlights the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture, who rose from being a slave to a prominent figure espousing the French Revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality. James's work challenges conventional historiography by emphasizing the agency of the enslaved and their role in shaping their own history. It also explores the broader implications of the Haitian Revolution, linking it to the destruction of European feudalism and the global struggle against colonialism and slavery[1][4][5].
ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jul 24, 2023
Dr. Gerald Horne, renowned historian, prolific author, and leading scholar of African American history, joins host Breht O'Shea and guest co-host PM Irvin for the inaugural episode of a compelling new series dedicated to exploring the profound life and influential work of W.E.B. Du Bois. A towering figure in American intellectual history, Du Bois was an innovative sociologist, pioneering Marxist socialist thinker, distinguished historian, and a passionate advocate of Pan-Africanist civil rights and liberation.
In this richly detailed discussion, Dr. Horne provides his deep historical expertise and sharp analytical insight to illuminate Du Bois’s groundbreaking masterpiece, Black Reconstruction in America. This seminal text revolutionized the historiography of the Reconstruction era by highlighting the central role that African Americans played in striving for democracy and liberation following the Civil War, while powerfully dismantling the myths perpetuated by white supremacist narratives of American history.
Listeners will gain a profound appreciation for Du Bois’s rigorous methodology, his penetrating critique of capitalist exploitation and racial oppression, and his visionary perspective on racial solidarity and international struggle. This episode not only marks the beginning of a comprehensive exploration of Du Bois’s prolific intellectual contributions but also serves as a crucial foundation for understanding the historical dynamics that continue to shape racial politics and liberation movements today.
Check out our other interviews with Professor Horne over at Guerrilla History:
Texas and the Roots of US Fascism and
The Counter-Revolution of 1776 Also check out Dr. Horne's writings in
The Nation ----------------------------------------------------
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