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A review by jaraddavis02
Black Radical: The Life and Times of William Monroe Trotter by Kerri K. Greenidge
5.0
“Like most of her neighbors, McKane wanted “the white people [to] realize that no matter how good their intentions are they cannot think in black.”...”
This quote, from Kerri K. Greendige’s Black Radical, stands out as a pithy summary of this remarkable book. Black Radical is a thorough explanation of the life and legacy of William Monroe Trotter. Trotter was the founder of The Guardian, a Black radicalist newspaper and went toe to toe with some of the country’s most powerful figures as he fought for the rights of Black people. Although he experienced privilege in his upbringing and a good portion of his adult life, this Harvard educated man emphatically challenged the policies and practices that oppressed all Black people, particularly the genteel poor. Less iconic, now, than Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, he went to battle with both, the former for his accommodationist ideals and the latter for his elitist principles.
The book goes into great detail of all Trotter endured to simply ensure Black Americans had basic human rights. We clearly don’t know enough about this man in American history, as he is rarely brought up as one of the co-founders of the Niagara Movement (Du Bois is usually the recognizable co-founder). Greenidge also does a good job of not heaping effusive praise on Trotter. She delves into some of his faults, frailties, and idiosyncrasies. Ultimately, Trotter was a flawed human being who did all he could to leave a lasting legacy of social justice.
What really stood out to me in this book was the role faith played in the Black Radical politics of Trotter and his colleagues. Trotter was devout Christian and many of his comrades in the movement were Black radical preachers and pastors. This stands out to me because we see a lot of Black clerics who take on the assimilationist mindsets articulated by the white evangelical church. But I’m reminded, historically, Black clergy have been just as adamant as any in the constant battle for civil rights.
I recommend this book to get a view of history that oft times goes unrecognized.
This quote, from Kerri K. Greendige’s Black Radical, stands out as a pithy summary of this remarkable book. Black Radical is a thorough explanation of the life and legacy of William Monroe Trotter. Trotter was the founder of The Guardian, a Black radicalist newspaper and went toe to toe with some of the country’s most powerful figures as he fought for the rights of Black people. Although he experienced privilege in his upbringing and a good portion of his adult life, this Harvard educated man emphatically challenged the policies and practices that oppressed all Black people, particularly the genteel poor. Less iconic, now, than Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois, he went to battle with both, the former for his accommodationist ideals and the latter for his elitist principles.
The book goes into great detail of all Trotter endured to simply ensure Black Americans had basic human rights. We clearly don’t know enough about this man in American history, as he is rarely brought up as one of the co-founders of the Niagara Movement (Du Bois is usually the recognizable co-founder). Greenidge also does a good job of not heaping effusive praise on Trotter. She delves into some of his faults, frailties, and idiosyncrasies. Ultimately, Trotter was a flawed human being who did all he could to leave a lasting legacy of social justice.
What really stood out to me in this book was the role faith played in the Black Radical politics of Trotter and his colleagues. Trotter was devout Christian and many of his comrades in the movement were Black radical preachers and pastors. This stands out to me because we see a lot of Black clerics who take on the assimilationist mindsets articulated by the white evangelical church. But I’m reminded, historically, Black clergy have been just as adamant as any in the constant battle for civil rights.
I recommend this book to get a view of history that oft times goes unrecognized.