In this book; Jonathan Holloway explores the early lives and careers of economist Abram Harris Jr.; sociologist E. Franklin Frazier; and political scientist Ralph Bunche--three black scholars who taught at Howard University during the New Deal and; together; formed the leading edge of American social science radicalism. Harris; Frazier; and Bunche represented the vanguard of the young black radical intellectual-activists who dared to criticize the NAACP for its cautious civil rights agenda and saw in the turmoil of the Great Depression an opportunity to advocate class-based solutions to what were commonly considered racial problems. Despite the broader approach they called for; both their advocates and their detractors had difficulty seeing them as anything but "black intellectuals" speaking on "black issues." A social and intellectual history of the trio; of Howard University; and of black Washington; Confronting the Veil investigates the effects of racialized thinking on Harris; Frazier; Bunche; and others who wanted to think "beyond race--who envisioned a workers' movement that would eliminate racial divisiveness and who used social science to demonstrate the ways in which race is constructed by social phenomena. Ultimately; the book sheds new light on how people have used race to constrain the possibilities of radical politics and social science thinking.
#1184604 in Books George Braziller 2007-10-15Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.24 x .88 x 8.51l; 2.28 #File Name: 0807612863263 pages
Review
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Particularly interesting in this era of religious and cultural strifeBy Elizabeth A. RootThis appears to be a reprint of the work originally published in 1992; so I will repeat my review here.This is a catalog accompanying an exhibit at the Jewish Museum; New York; which was formally designated a project of the Spain '92 Foundation. Eight essays; a collection of catalog entries; and numerous photographs; mostly in color; reflect on the culture of Spain and al-Andalusia; and to a lesser extent Portugal and Navarre; between 711 and 1492. The focus is primarily upon the culture of the Jews; who; never being in political power; offer an interesting perspective on cultural cross-fertilization and tolerance on the Iberian peninsula.I occasionally found the essays somewhat difficult to follow; not having much background in the various subjects. The greatest disappointment is that not all of the items in the exhibit are pictured; and so reading catalog descriptions of items that one cannot see is somewhat frustrating.Despite these relatively minor criticisms; I found the book extremely enlightening; and considerably more subtle and complex than nostalgic views of a golden age. Particularly recommended in these times of religious and cultural strife.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Particularly interesting in this era of religious and cultural strifeBy Elizabeth A. RootThis is a catalog accompanying an exhibit at the Jewish Museum; New York; which was formally designated a project of the Spain '92 Foundation. Eight essays; a collection of catalog entries; and numerous photographs; mostly in color; reflect on the culture of Spain and al-Andalusia; and to a lesser extent Portugal and Navarre; between 711 and 1492. The focus is primarily upon the culture of the Jews; who; never being in political power; offer an interesting perspective on cultural cross-fertilization and tolerance on the Iberian peninsula.I occasionally found the essays somewhat difficult to follow; not having much background in the various subjects. The greatest disappointment is that not all of the items in the exhibit are pictured; and so reading catalog descriptions of items that one cannot see is somewhat frustrating.Despite these relatively minor criticisms; I found the book extremely enlightening; and considerably more subtle than nostalgic views of a golden age. Particularly recommended in these times of religious and cultural strife.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Co-existanceBy CustomerAn excellent study of Medieval Spain tracing the Jewish; Muslim; and Christian cultures that were troubled; yet thrived during the period before the Inquisition. Every student of history should peruse this book to get a perspective of both religious tolerance and intolerance. One must consider the fact that while Spain is the tail of Europe; it is also the head of Africa. Examining art; music; poetry; painting and ancient inscriptions; this book reflects Iberia's unique heritage.
