Afro-Indigenous History of the United States, An

Mehr zum Buch

This work presents the first intersectional history of the Black and Native American struggle for freedom in the United States, reshaping our understanding of early Indigenous identities. Starting from pre-Revolutionary America and extending to contemporary movements for Black lives and Indigenous activism, historian Kyle T. Mays argues that the roots of the nation lie in antiblackness and settler colonialism, with these dual oppressions persisting today. He examines the resistance and fight for freedom by Black and Indigenous peoples, highlighting their efforts to end African enslavement and Indigenous removal, as well as combat capitalism and colonialism. Mays illustrates how their calls for justice have consistently aimed to dismantle white supremacy. Utilizing a diverse range of historical activists, pop culture figures, and foundational texts, he addresses the civil rights movement and the freedom struggles of the 1960s and 1970s, while also engaging with current discussions on Native American imagery and cultural appropriation of Black culture. Mays encourages a rethinking of both historical narratives and modern debates, envisioning the potential for Afro-Indigenous solidarity. The book includes an 8-page photo insert featuring significant figures and moments in this ongoing struggle.