Customer Reviews

The White Man's Burden: Historical Origins of Racism in the United States (Galaxy Books)

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Dr. Winthrop D. Jordan in THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN, has explored the reasons for racism in America. He not only explores the newly settled America, but goes back as far as the first contacts Europeans had with Africans. He suggests perhaps because white men encountered black men and great apes at the same time, they were inclined to think that there was a connection between them. French political theorist, Jean Bodin wrote, "promiscuous coition of men and animals took place, wherefore the regions of Africa produce for us so many monsters." In spite of such writings, Dr. Jordan said that belief was not wide spread but was available as a theory for later use. Fast forwarding to America, Dr. Jordan cites the writings of Thomas Jefferson, who seemed conflicted knowing that black men were equal to white men, but doubting that black men were as intelligent as white men.

The Quakers in America were the strongest abolitionists. Others often gave lip service to the wrongs of slavery but they also debated a white man's property couldn't just be taken from him or they used the Bible and the story of Noah's son Canaan and the curse of Ham to justify keeping black men in bondage. Their conclusion was that God originally made all men white and black men were black because God cursed them. Another theory was that the skins of Africans were black because they suffered from leprosy, the most hideous disease of those times. Also under consideration was that Africans were from a climate with brilliant sunlight but after spending time in a more moderate climate, their skins would lighten up. Of course that didn't happen.

Winthrop D. Jordan, professor of History at the University of Mississippi, has written an explicit history that covers the mentality of the white men who enslaved black men and examines their justifications for doing so. He has done this by going to the original writings of the people who were commenting when all of this was taking place. At times I wanted to scream, especially when Dr. Jordan pronounced one comment against slavery as perhaps being a bit harsh. I would ask him if those slaves were his ancestors, would the verdict be the same? All in all, he did a good job of bringing out the prejudices and the hidden agendas of the white population who were looking for a cheap, easily identifiable labor source. In addition, he explains the ambivalence whites felt toward Indians and why they did not view them in the same manner as they did blacks although they also called them "savages." The writing was smooth and easy to read with the exception of occasionally deciphering the Old English. I would recommend the book for anyone who is interested in how black people got on the receiving end of so much racism in America.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Dr. Jordan accomplished hes goal of providing insight into the origins of racism in the United States. Although unable to provide an exact beginning or reason for the gradual degradation of relations between the Negro and the white man, he did an excellent job of providing a multitude of possible inceptions. The White Man's Burden is broad enough in subject to be read and easily understood by any student desiring general knowledge of the history of racism. By chronologically gliding through history and breaking the subject down into more specific parts, it provides just enough information so as not to inundate the reader with less significant points. The White Man's Burden is and excellent source of reference for the study of racism.

I had my doubts about this book when I first saw it, but it has given me a much better underatanding of the history of racial tensions and prejudice in this country. Dr. Jordon's book is well researched and organized. It is extremely informative. I would suggest reading this book along with "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen.

Excellent and well researched. Gives great understanding to the mindset and conflicts of those who opposed and endorsed slavery. I was able to use several quotes from the book in a lecture to a mixed audience on why we have problems in our society today as well as giving heart changing solutions for tommorrow.

I first read portions of this book as a requirement for a History class at Virginia Tech. I had lost it or loaned it out a few years ago. When my lecture opportunity came I remembered it , found it on Amazon at a reasonable price and purchased it. This is a very well written and thoroughly researched account of the subject. I heartily endorse its purchase.

i can understand and feel what they have gone through as being an aboriginal native of canada.