How Race Survived U.S. History
The book, “How Race Survived US History: From Settlement and Slavery to the Obama Phenomenon” is a highly acclaimed book, authored by David R. Roediger, who teaches history at the University of Illinois. The author, in his book, examines the issue of race in a broader manner and presents a very good analysis before the readers. This paper intends to discuss the above named book and further presents a succinct analysis of the book.
Roediger explores the issue of race and examines how race was created deliberately in order to ensure the dominance of white people over others. The idea of race has been portrayed since 1600 and the current situation of the race in American society is also portrayed by the author in a clear manner. Race travelled through different phases of American history witnessed the contemporary society. Race existed and survived during American civil war, emancipation of civil rights and it also exists when United States of America is the most powerful nation of the world. The author suggests that the race was created and recreated several times in order to maintain the dominance by its creators (Roediger).
Roediger suggests how being white was like a boon and people with no any other quality were special just because they were white. Being white was the biggest quality and a symbol of aristocracy. White people were considered civilized, privileged and superior. Blacks, on the other hand, were put to several inhuman treatments ad injustices (Roediger). Roediger says that race survived different phases of American history and still exists in the society when the nation poses to be the most progressive society and advanced nation of the world.
Roediger portrays how Barack Obama won the presidential election of America and created a history but does not forget to mention it as only one aspect of the coin. He suggests that irrespective of the fact that the America is lead by a black, there is a sense of discrimination towards the blacks of America by the society and they do not enjoy the same position that white people do (Roediger). Roedigar does not talk about blacks only but also talks about people of other races who have become integral part of the American society but faces discrimination in their daily personal and professional life.
It has been indicated by the author that race was created and survived due to continuous support from a segment of the society but he hints that the issue needs to be solved immediately. He further suggests that it is in the interest of Americans to overlook this issue in order to make a better society. This book appears to be very significant and presents a clear analysis of the issue in a broader manner.
Work Cited
Roediger, David R. How Race Survived US History: From Settlement and Slavery to the Obama Phenomeno. USA: Verso Books, 2010.
