The Black History of the White House presents the untold history,
racial politics, and shifting significance of the White House as
experienced by African Americans, from the generations of
enslaved people who helped to build it or were forced to work
there to its first black First Family, the Obamas.
Clarence Lusane juxtaposes significant events in White House
history with the ongoing struggle for democratic, civil, and
human rights by black Americans and demonstrates that only during
crises have presidents used their authority to advance racial
justice. He describes how in 1901 the building was officially
named the White House” amidst a furious backlash against
President Roosevelt for inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner,
and how that same year that saw the consolidation of white power
with the departure of the last black Congressmember elected after
the Civil War. Lusane explores how, from its construction in 1792
to its becoming the home of the first black president, the White
House has been a prism through which to view the progress and
struggles of black Americans seeking full citizenship and
justice.
Clarence Lusane is one of America’s most thoughtful and critical
thinkers on issues of race, class and power.”Manning Marable
"Barack Obama may be the first black president in the White
House, but he's far from the first black person to work in it. In
this fascinating history of all the enslaved people, workers and
entertainers who spent time in the president's official residence
over the years, Clarence Lusane restores the White House to its
true colors."Barbara Ehrenreich
"Reading The Black History of the White House shows us how much
we DON'T know about our history, politics, and culture. In a very
accessible and polished style, Clarence Lusane takes us inside
the key national events of the American past and present. He
reveals new dimensions of the black presence in the US from
revolutionary days to the Obama campaign. Yes, 'black hands built
the White House'enslaved black handsbut they also built this
country's economy, political system, and culture, in ways Lusane
shows us in great detail. A particularly important feature of
this book its personal storytelling: we see black political
history through the experiences and ins of little-known
participants in great American events. The detailed lives of
Washington's slaves seeking freedom, or the complexities of Duke
Ellington's relationships with the Truman and Eisenhower White
House, show us American racism, and also black America's fierce
hunger for freedom, in brand new and very exciting ways. This
book would be a great addition to many courses in history,
sociology, or ethnic studies courses. Highly recommended!"Howard
Winant
"The White House was built with slave labor and at least six US
presidents owned slaves during their time in office. With these
facts, Clarence Lusane, a political science professor at American
University, opens The Black History of the White House(City
Lights), a fascinating story of race relations that plays out
both on the domestic front and the international stage. As Lusane
writes, 'The Lincoln White House resolved the issue of slavery,
but not that of racism.' Along with the political calculations
surrounding who gets invited to the White House are matters of
musical tastes and opinionated first ladies, ingredients that
make for good storytelling."Boston Globe
Dr. Clarence Lusane has published in The Washington Post, The
Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, Oakland Tribune, Black Scholar,
and Race and Class. He often appears on PBS, BET, C-SPAN, and
other national media.
- Used Book in Good Condition.