Black Rednecks and White Liberals
Encyclopedia
Black Rednecks and White Liberals is a collection of six essays by Thomas Sowell
. The collection, published in 2005, explores various aspects of race and culture, both in the United States and abroad.
Sowell argues that the black ghetto culture, which is claimed to be "authentic black culture", is historically neither authentic nor black in origin. Instead, Sowell argues that the black ghetto culture is in fact a relic of a highly dysfunctional white southern redneck culture which existed during the antebellum South. This culture came, in turn, from the "Cracker
culture" of the North Britons and Scots-Irish who migrated from the generally lawless border
regions of Britain.
Sowell gives a number of examples that he regards as supporting the lineage, e.g.,
Sowell further argues that this "culture" did not exist uniformly among blacks, especially those considered "free persons of color" or those trained in schools operated by people immersed in New England
culture (who were, in turn, passing that culture to black students, specifically the need for a strong work ethic). His essay argues that, among those groups, educational statistics were on par with similarly-trained whites (and higher than southern whites in general), and continued on an upward trend until the advent of multiculturalism
.
Sowell argues that the jealousy is historically quite common among ethnic groups who have had historic success as economic "middlemen" who derive a profit from the service of bringing needed items to the marketplace. Among other historically persecuted "middlemen minorities" were Lebanese and Chinese immigrant merchants. The resentment is due to a perceived "lack of added value" that these middlemen provide, as it is not easily observable.
in Western culture.
Sowell argues that Alex Haley
's popular mini-series Roots
is more myth than reality. Although Sowell acknowledges the West's promotion of slavery, he argues that the same Western culture led the charge in the late 19th century to abolish it in the Western Hemisphere, and that little attention has been given to the continuation of slavery in Middle Eastern countries.
's reign from 1933-1945. Sowell argues that anti-semitism was not commonly held by ordinary Germans in the interwar period, and that suspicion and hatred of Jews was relatively isolated to the Nazi Party. Sowell further argues that Hitler was highly inconsistent in his views toward a unified Germany – while he strenuously argued for annexation of the German-dominated Sudetenland
, German-dominated portions of Italy were ignored as Hitler preferred his alliance with Benito Mussolini
.
and its eventual deterioration from its place of prominence in early Black education, which Sowell argues was a direct consequence of the famed Brown v. Board of Education
United States Supreme Court decision.
The essay also argues that though noted Black activists W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington
did not agree on all issues of the day, the existence of a "feud" between them was actually a myth. Sowell argued that DuBois' and Washington's differing emphasis on Negro education was the product of their upbringing – DuBois (who's ancestors were free persons of color that historically had opportunities to gain education) concentrated Negro education toward the "talented tenth" (i.e., the 10% of Negros whom he believed had the intellectual capacity to become leaders) while Washington (a descendant of slaves, who lacked the historical educational opportunities of DuBois ancestors) concentrated Negro education toward the working classes. However, according to his research, both DuBois and Washington agreed that all Negroes should have opportunity to gain as much education as desired.
Sowell further argues that, though DuBois was more activist in his attempts to end Jim Crow laws and other forms of legal discrimination while Washington held a more accommodating position, Washington did at times secretly fund and support efforts to end Jim Crow laws.
. Sowell argues that historical events cannot properly be understood through the attitudes of someone living in a different time period (e.g., viewing slavery as right or wrong through 21st century attitudes) but can only be properly understood in light of the economic, political, and social views of the time period in which the events occurred.
Thomas Sowell
Thomas Sowell is an American economist, social theorist, political philosopher, and author. A National Humanities Medal winner, he advocates laissez-faire economics and writes from a libertarian perspective...
. The collection, published in 2005, explores various aspects of race and culture, both in the United States and abroad.
Black Rednecks and White Liberals
The title essay is based on Sowell's thesis about the origins of the "black ghetto" culture.Sowell argues that the black ghetto culture, which is claimed to be "authentic black culture", is historically neither authentic nor black in origin. Instead, Sowell argues that the black ghetto culture is in fact a relic of a highly dysfunctional white southern redneck culture which existed during the antebellum South. This culture came, in turn, from the "Cracker
Cracker (pejorative)
Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a pejorative term for white people. It is an ethnic slur that is especially used for the white inhabitants of the U.S. states of Georgia and Florida , but it is also used throughout the United States.-Etymology:One theory holds that the term comes from the...
culture" of the North Britons and Scots-Irish who migrated from the generally lawless border
Border Country
Border Country is a novel by Raymond Williams. The book was re-published in December 2005 as one of the first group of titles in the Library of Wales series, having been out of print for several years. Written in English, the novel was first published in 1960.It is set in rural South Wales, close...
regions of Britain.
Sowell gives a number of examples that he regards as supporting the lineage, e.g.,
an aversion to work, proneness to violence, neglect of education, sexual promiscuity, improvidence, drunkenness, lack of entrepreneurship,… and a style of religious oratory marked by strident rhetoric, unbridled emotions, and flamboyant imagery.
Sowell further argues that this "culture" did not exist uniformly among blacks, especially those considered "free persons of color" or those trained in schools operated by people immersed in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
culture (who were, in turn, passing that culture to black students, specifically the need for a strong work ethic). His essay argues that, among those groups, educational statistics were on par with similarly-trained whites (and higher than southern whites in general), and continued on an upward trend until the advent of multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
.
Are Jews Generic?
In the collection's second essay, Sowell explores the origins of antisemitism among those harboring jealousy toward Jews for their financial and entrepreneurial successes.Sowell argues that the jealousy is historically quite common among ethnic groups who have had historic success as economic "middlemen" who derive a profit from the service of bringing needed items to the marketplace. Among other historically persecuted "middlemen minorities" were Lebanese and Chinese immigrant merchants. The resentment is due to a perceived "lack of added value" that these middlemen provide, as it is not easily observable.
The Real History of Slavery
The collection's third essay features Sowell's discussion of the history of slaverySlavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
in Western culture.
Sowell argues that Alex Haley
Alex Haley
Alexander Murray Palmer Haley was an African-American writer. He is best known as the author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family and the coauthor of The Autobiography of Malcolm X.-Early life:...
's popular mini-series Roots
Roots (TV miniseries)
Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley's fictional novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family. Roots received 36 Emmy Award nominations, winning nine. It also won a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. It received unprecedented Nielsen ratings with the finale still...
is more myth than reality. Although Sowell acknowledges the West's promotion of slavery, he argues that the same Western culture led the charge in the late 19th century to abolish it in the Western Hemisphere, and that little attention has been given to the continuation of slavery in Middle Eastern countries.
Germans and History
The fourth essay features Sowell's argument that Germany should not be defined solely by the 12-year period of Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
's reign from 1933-1945. Sowell argues that anti-semitism was not commonly held by ordinary Germans in the interwar period, and that suspicion and hatred of Jews was relatively isolated to the Nazi Party. Sowell further argues that Hitler was highly inconsistent in his views toward a unified Germany – while he strenuously argued for annexation of the German-dominated Sudetenland
Sudetenland
Sudetenland is the German name used in English in the first half of the 20th century for the northern, southwest and western regions of Czechoslovakia inhabited mostly by ethnic Germans, specifically the border areas of Bohemia, Moravia, and those parts of Silesia being within Czechoslovakia.The...
, German-dominated portions of Italy were ignored as Hitler preferred his alliance with Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
.
Black Education: Achievements, Myths, and Tragedies
The fifth essay features Sowell's discussion of the early days of Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.)
Dunbar High School is a public secondary school located in Washington, D.C., United States. The school is located in the Truxton Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington, two blocks from the intersection of New Jersey and New York Avenues...
and its eventual deterioration from its place of prominence in early Black education, which Sowell argues was a direct consequence of the famed Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
United States Supreme Court decision.
The essay also argues that though noted Black activists W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
did not agree on all issues of the day, the existence of a "feud" between them was actually a myth. Sowell argued that DuBois' and Washington's differing emphasis on Negro education was the product of their upbringing – DuBois (who's ancestors were free persons of color that historically had opportunities to gain education) concentrated Negro education toward the "talented tenth" (i.e., the 10% of Negros whom he believed had the intellectual capacity to become leaders) while Washington (a descendant of slaves, who lacked the historical educational opportunities of DuBois ancestors) concentrated Negro education toward the working classes. However, according to his research, both DuBois and Washington agreed that all Negroes should have opportunity to gain as much education as desired.
Sowell further argues that, though DuBois was more activist in his attempts to end Jim Crow laws and other forms of legal discrimination while Washington held a more accommodating position, Washington did at times secretly fund and support efforts to end Jim Crow laws.
History Versus Visions
The final essay features Sowell's criticism of multiculturalismMulticulturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
. Sowell argues that historical events cannot properly be understood through the attitudes of someone living in a different time period (e.g., viewing slavery as right or wrong through 21st century attitudes) but can only be properly understood in light of the economic, political, and social views of the time period in which the events occurred.