From "Superman" to Man: A Fearless and Penetrating Discussion of America's Greatest ProblemThe first book from “a tireless champion of African history,” a novel that “challenged the theories that Blacks were inferior to whites” (New York Amsterdam News). Joel Augustus Roger’s seminal work from the Harlem Renaissance, this novel—first published in 1917—is a polemic against the ignorance that fuels racism. The central plot revolves around a train speeding to California, serviced by an African American porter named Dixon. On board is a United States senator from Oklahoma, a man obsessed by race who makes no attempts to hide his prejudice. Unable to sleep, the politician encounters Dixon in the smoking car, and thus ensues a debate about religion, science, and racial equality . . . “A bold discussion novel in which a cultured, well-travelled, black Pullman porter is drawn into a debate with a white passenger, a Southern senator, on the question of the superiority of the Anglo Saxon and the inferiority of the Negro.” —The Guardian “A genuine treasure. I still insist that From ‘Superman’ to Man is the greatest book ever written in English on the Negro by a Negro and I am glad to know that increasing thousands of black and white readers re-echo the high opinion of it which I had expressed some years ago.” —Hubert Henry Harrison “A stirring story, faithful to truth and helpful to a better understanding and feeling.” —Prof. George B. Foster, University of Chicago |
From inside the book
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Page 5
... asked. “May I ride here with you and get off when we get there?" "Certainly, sir,” welcomed Dixon, cordially, "make yourself at home. Where are your grips?" and dropping his book on the seat, Dixon went for his bags. Returning with them ...
... asked. “May I ride here with you and get off when we get there?" "Certainly, sir,” welcomed Dixon, cordially, "make yourself at home. Where are your grips?" and dropping his book on the seat, Dixon went for his bags. Returning with them ...
Page 7
... asked. "No, sir. Nearly everyone I meet on the road is very pleasant. I am sure that if that wise old Greek who said, “Most men are bad!" had gained his knowledge of human nature on a sleeping car his verdict would have been altogether ...
... asked. "No, sir. Nearly everyone I meet on the road is very pleasant. I am sure that if that wise old Greek who said, “Most men are bad!" had gained his knowledge of human nature on a sleeping car his verdict would have been altogether ...
Page 11
... asked by a Southern guest whether he was the “head-nigger,” the headwaiter grew indignant. "Oh," said the guest, “I only wanted to know because I have a large tip for the “head-nigger.” At that the head-waiter promptly got off his horse ...
... asked by a Southern guest whether he was the “head-nigger,” the headwaiter grew indignant. "Oh," said the guest, “I only wanted to know because I have a large tip for the “head-nigger.” At that the head-waiter promptly got off his horse ...
Page 12
... asking to be excused, slid to the other end of the seat to look out, thus leaving the book he had placed behind him, exposed. The senator saw the book, and his laughter soon changed to curiosity. The volume stood end up on the seat and ...
... asking to be excused, slid to the other end of the seat to look out, thus leaving the book he had placed behind him, exposed. The senator saw the book, and his laughter soon changed to curiosity. The volume stood end up on the seat and ...
Page 15
... species, but only individuals.'” The senator handed back the book to Dixon, huffly. “But, you have not answered my question,” he insisted, “I asked, do you believe the black race will ever attain the intellectual. FROM “SUPERMAN” TO MAN 15.
... species, but only individuals.'” The senator handed back the book to Dixon, huffly. “But, you have not answered my question,” he insisted, “I asked, do you believe the black race will ever attain the intellectual. FROM “SUPERMAN” TO MAN 15.
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Common terms and phrases
according added Africa American Anglo-Saxon appear asked beauty becomes began believe better blood Caucasian cause centuries certain Christianity citizens civilization color considered continued cultured difference Dixon equal Europe European exist fact feel forced give greater hair hand human hundred ignorant Indian inferiority instance Italy Jews kind laws less live look majority man's manner matter mean mind morality nature Negro never nigger North Northern objected opinion party passenger permitted persons porter prove question race racial reason regard remark replied replied Dixon respect returned seen senator similar skin slavery slaves so-called social South Southern speak spirit superior tell thing thought thousand tion took train true truth United Universal white women woman