A Colonial History of African-Americans

In African Founders, David Hackett Fischer asserts that the traditions of liberty, equality, and the rule of law often transcended the evils of slavery in early America and were embraced, with impressive results, by masters and slaves alike . . .

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Comments (4)

They were brought to this country as not fit to be citizens. What has changed? Them? For the worse. (Look at Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis…) And us? Worse as well: for embracing the very degrading–mingling with the inferior; debasing ourselves in the COWARDICE of noblesse oblige. As soon as there are no individuals, there will be no individualism. As soon as there are no races, there will be no racism. The war is on. No neutrality. Pro-honky or pro-BIPOC? With us or against us?

May 16, 2023 Nick Reply

Cultural diversity–indeed “diversity” in general–stands on its own as a byproduct of human evolution. It is nothing more than that. It is neither to be celebrated or deplored. It is what it is and we as a society simply have to live with that fact.

May 16, 2023 Hans Bosse Reply

It is interesting that Fischer lists 9 American nations after listing 4 in Albion’s Seed. I think he gets this from the more recent book American Nations which further develops his cultural history of the various European groups which settled in North America.

It is also interesting to learn about the different regions in Africa from where slaves were taken, how they fit within the European culture, and how they shaped and were shaped by that experience. It also shows how the hold of slavery was lessening over time as the two groups spent time living together. The review didn’t mention the Deep South where the slave system was more dominant and recalcitrant.

I have a list of book I would like to read including Albion’s Seed, but I think the list just became longer.

https://thecrosssectionrmb.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-ethics-of-liberty-human-rights-as.html

May 16, 2023 RMB Reply

Anything is welcome that serves to critique the standard cartoon version of race relations that most Americans believe today. Slavery was not the same thing everywhere; it varied quite a lot. The author’s book, warts and all, has done us a real service.

May 19, 2023 G. Poulin Reply

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