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White Freedom

The Racial History of an Idea
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
White Freedom by Tyler Stovall examines the historical relationship between freedom and race, focusing on how concepts of liberty in Western societies have been closely tied to whiteness. The book explores the paradox of promoting freedom while simultaneously upholding racial oppression, highlighting the role of colonialism and imperialism in shaping modern ideas of liberty. Through a historical lens, it analyses the complex dynamics between race and freedom across various geopolitical contexts.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by how Western ideas of freedom have been historically intertwined with racial ideologies. Exploring the complex relationship between liberty and race, it provides a thought-provoking examination of historical and contemporary implications for democracy and equality.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The racist legacy behind the Western idea of freedom.

The era of the Enlightenment, which gave rise to our modern conceptions of freedom and democracy, was also the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. America, a nation founded on the principle of liberty, is also a nation built on African slavery, Native American genocide, and systematic racial discrimination. White Freedom traces the complex relationship between freedom and race from the eighteenth century to today, revealing how being free has meant being white.

Tyler Stovall explores the intertwined histories of racism and freedom in France and the United States, the two leading nations that have claimed liberty as the heart of their national identities. He explores how French and American thinkers defined freedom in racial terms and conceived of liberty as an aspect and privilege of whiteness. He discusses how the Statue of Libertyβ€”a gift from France to the United States and perhaps the most famous symbol of freedom on Earthβ€”promised both freedom and whiteness to European immigrants.

Taking readers from the Age of Revolution to today, Stovall challenges the notion that racism is somehow a paradox or contradiction within the democratic tradition, demonstrating how white identity is intrinsic to Western ideas about liberty. Throughout the history of modern Western liberal democracy, freedom has long been white freedom.

A major work of scholarship that is certain to draw a wide readership and transform contemporary debates, White Freedom provides vital new perspectives on the inherent racism behind our most cherished beliefs about freedom, liberty, and human rights.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Tyler Stovall’s White Freedom is highly regarded for its insightful examination of the interplay between freedom and race, with its relevance amplified in today's political climate. The book is praised for its clear, engaging analysis and historical detail, shedding light on the complexities of liberty and its racial dimensions. Stovall’s work invites readers to reconsider the historical narrative of freedom and its implications on modern beliefs and social justice.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691205373

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 August 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 31 b/w illus.

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 440

About the Author

Tyler Stovall (19542021) was professor of history and dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Fordham University. His books include Transnational France: The Modern History of a Universal Nation, Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light, and The Rise of the Paris Red Belt.

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  • White Freedom
    The racist legacy behind the Western idea of freedom. The era of the Enlightenment, which gave rise to our modern conceptions of freedom and democracy, was also the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. America, a nation founded on the principle of liberty, is also a nation built on African slavery, Native American genocide, and systematic racial discrimination. White Freedom...
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