Black citizens and American democracy : fighting for the soul of a nation / edited by Reginald K. Ellis, Jeffrey L. Littlejohn, and Peter B. Levy.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Ellis, Reginald K., editor.

Littlejohn, Jeffrey L., 1973- editor.

Levy, Peter B., editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African Americans--Politics and government.

African Americans.

Democracy--United States.

Democracy.

African Americans--Social conditions.

United States--Politics and government.

United States.

Physical Description:

209 pages ; 24 cm

Other Title:

Fighting for the soul of a nation

Place of Publication:

Gainesville : University Press of Florida, 2025.

Summary:

"This collection examines the important work of Black men and women to shape, expand, and preserve a multiracial American democracy from the mid-twentieth century to the present"-- Provided by publisher.

"How Black activism has helped achieve and maintain democracy for all Americans In 2020, Black Americans continued a centuries-long pursuit of racial equality and justice in the streets and at the polls. Arguing that this year was not a deviation from the historic Civil Rights Movement, the contributors to this collection examine the important work of Black men and women during the previous decades to shape, expand, and preserve a multiracial American democracy. The authors of these chapters show that Black Americans have long pushed local and national leaders to ensure that all citizens reap the full benefits of the Constitution. They discuss Black women's roles in advancing national voting rights; how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) developed "race leaders"; discriminatory news coverage and actions against it; antipoverty efforts; and the racial and gender dynamics of activist organizations. These studies show how Black activism from the mid-twentieth century to the present has led to positive changes for all Americans, holding the nation to its democratic ideals and promises. Black Citizens and American Democracy compels recognition of many unsung people who have risked their lives and livelihoods for the good of the country. Contributors: Reginald K. Ellis | Cassandra Newby-Alexander | Jacqueline Jones | Peter B. Levy | Charles Chavis Jr. | Charles H. Ford | Wesley G. Phelps | Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir | Jeffrey L. Littlejohn | Kristopher Bryan Burrell"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: Fighting for the Soul of a Nation / Reginald K. Ellis, Jeffrey L. Littlejohn, and Peter B.

Levy

Toward a Real United States Patriotism: Black Americans? Centrality to the Pursuit of a Multiracial Democracy / Kristopher Bryan Burrell

Black Women: The Backbone of Democracy / Sharlene Sinegal-Decuir

Constructing a Way Forward: Civil Rights and the National Council of Negro Women /

Cassandra Newby-Alexander

"I Don't Believe This Has Anything to Do with the Alleviation of Poverty": Voting Rights, Economic Justice, and the Struggle for Democracy in Houston / Wesley Phelps

Overcoming the American Lie: HBCUs Role in Advancing Democracy / Reginald K. Ellis

The Seamstress and the Counselor: Evelyn T. Butts, Joseph Jordan Jr., and Butts v. Harrison (1966) / Jeffrey L. Littlejohn and Charles H. Ford

Who Killed Ralph Featherstone? A Case Study in the Repression of the Long Black Freedom Struggle / Peter Levy

A Movement of Movements: The Making of the Maryland Anti-Lynching Federation and the Fight for Democracy in the Free State / Charles Chavis

Epilogue / Jacqueline Jones

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Black citizens and American democracy

ISBN:

9780813079301

0813079306

9780813080987

0813080983

OCLC:

1482314065