White Freedom

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The Enlightenment era, which shaped modern ideas of freedom and democracy, coincided with the peak of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. America, a nation founded on liberty, is also built on African slavery, Native American genocide, and systemic racial discrimination. This work examines the intricate relationship between freedom and race from the eighteenth century to the present, revealing how freedom has often been synonymous with whiteness. The author delves into the shared histories of racism and freedom in France and the United States, two nations that have positioned liberty at the core of their identities. He analyzes how thinkers from both countries defined freedom racially and viewed liberty as a privilege of whiteness. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, symbolizes this dual promise of freedom and whiteness for European immigrants. By tracing these themes from the Age of Revolution to modern times, the author challenges the idea that racism is a contradiction within democracy, arguing that white identity is fundamental to Western concepts of liberty. This significant scholarly work is poised to engage a broad audience and reshape current discussions, offering critical insights into the racism embedded in our most cherished beliefs about freedom and human rights.