Uncle Sam and the Negro in 1920 First Edition, 1906

Gilliam, Dr. E.W. Uncle Sam and the Negro in 1920. Lynchburg, Virginia: J.P. Bell Company. First edition, 1906. Original red cloth boards with gilt text. Frontispiece containing a black and white portrait photograph of Gilliam. 8vo. 469 pages. Uncle Sam and the Negro in 1920 presents a revealing and controversial view of race relations in the United States from the perspective of a conservative Southern commentator. Despite its future-oriented title, the book was published in the early 20th century and reflects the contemporary racial anxieties and ideologies of its author—a Virginia physician who advocated for the expatriation of African Americans to (truncated) South America. Through a wide-ranging survey of Black political, social, and economic life, Gilliam examines what he viewed as the insurmountable racial tensions in post-Reconstruction America. Positioning himself in opposition to integrationist ideals, Gilliam critiques both African American advancement efforts and federal policies, arguing that the racial divide posed a fundamental challenge to national unity. While largely dismissive of Black progress and self-determination, the book inadvertently captures the very resilience and civic ambition of African Americans that Gilliam sought to discredit. Some wear to covers, dampstaining to a few pages not affecting text. Binding is tight. Overall good to very good condition. (Inventory #: 21862)