BLACK MAN'S BURDEN

by John Oliver Killens ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1965

Black Man's Burden is written at white heat, as author John Oliver Killens gives what for to the white American. He operates from the viewpoint that ""just as surely as East is East and West is West, there is a 'black' psyche in America and there is a 'white' one, and the sooner we face up to this psychological, social, and cultural reality, the sooner the twain shall meet."" His is a quotable invocation of affect rather than fact as he views the American Negro (""an Anglo-Saxon invention"") in white society, the stance of the black writer vis a vis his country (people should write about race). He sees America as a southern land, there being down South in Georgia and up South in New York, assays the myth of non-violence versus the right of self defense, and affirms the right to violence in the face of violence. He feels the black people are on the march and concludes with the assertion that ""we black folk cannot turn back because there is nothing behind us and everything ahead of us."" More style than substance.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Trident

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION