Customer Reviews

Black and Brown: African Americans and the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1920 (American History and Culture)

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The topic of this book is fascinating in itself, but I believe without a writer like Horne, a broader audience would've been unable to understand the importance of this time.

Black and Brown explores the relationship of African Americans, Mexicans, and white Americans during the Mexican Revolution. More than recalling events and people, Horne provides engaging commentary and questions about the unique conditions that changed traditional American racial hierarchy.

Blacks were allowed economic and racial privileges unseen before the Mexican Revolution because of struggles for black loyalty between Mexican and white American leaders. Mexicans, on one hand, knew of the injustices and discrimination that plagued African Americans. This made African Americans important allies if it was exploited. White Americans, on the other hand, began to feel personal conflict to treat African Americans better because of the fear of dissent.

Jack Johnson, for example, was catered by Mexicans and became a vocal leader for the allegiance of Mexicans and African Americans in the fight against white imperialism. Meanwhile, Henry O. Flipper was one of the first African American graduates of West Point. He based his career on complete loyalty to the United States, working as a top Spanish translator, among other important things. Flipper, unfortunately, still faced racism: he was kicked out the U.S. military for miscegenation and was paid disgraceful wages despite his resourcefulness and dedication.

This parallel between Johnson and Flipper are one of the many topics discussed in Horne's book, allowing the reader to understand the complex ways in which race and racism revealed itself. I recommend this book to people especially interested in the subject of race formation in the U.S., but also to a broader audience interested in a very dynamic time of history.

The book was in immaculate shape. The two week turn around was a bit of an inconvenience. Other than that, good job!