Nikhil Pal Singh

A detailed review of black-white relations in America, particularly around WWII. Singh's main point is that blacks in the US are constantly caught between wanting to be accepted into a raceless society that claims to be inclusive and a deep underlying racism that always excludes it. Even as the US claims that race is irrelevant, the language it uses reinforces race as a factor in society. Singh traces some specifics, particularly the approach the black leaders use in attempts to integrate. They lean towards Marxism in the 30's because the Soviet model appears less overtly racism. It also proves to be less relevant, especially after the Soviets appease Hitler at the beginning of WWI. Then blacks largely support US war efforts, even as the racism in the military remains high. They use the "Double V" strategy of fighting racism at home while fighting fascism abroad. After fascism is defeated, they naturally link their own fight with the end of colonialism, but end up having to mute that as racists in US society accuse them of being pro-Soviet. This work is very readable. Although it gets a bit dense on the intellectual side of things, I found it very informative on the debate among black leaders as the modern Civil Rights movement began.… (altro)