Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition / Cedric Robinson / 1963

Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition / Cedric Robinson / 1963

I have no business criticizing this book, largely because I’m out of my depth, especially when Robinson gets REAL specific about the economics of 17th century UK. An interesting paradox about the book is that its the technical language and academic discourses, when utilized, isn’t inaccessible to a lay audience; yet the range and scope of the project of the project was so expansive, it definitely demands re-reading to fully absorb Robinson’s ideas and arguments, much as Angela Davis suggested in her blurb. Because contemporary US Black scholars sometimes fail to think beyond the US, I was impressed to find such a comprehensive history of the Black Radical Tradition that included the history of the Caribbean and Latin America. There’s a chance this book doesn’t include feminist perspectives enough, as there are likely more women who figure into this tradition in ways unacknowledged herein, Sojourner Truth for example. The conversations and relationships between the international communists and Black communities, the consistent and furious revolts against slavery, his contextualizing of Du Bois and Cesaire, and many other moments re-organized my understanding of Black history in the Americas. While reading, I had the stupefying realization that other ideas familiar to me likely originated from Robinson’s masterpiece. I want to re-read this book with people smarter than me. 4.5/5