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 10
... . This morning we were in the elevator, when a well-dressed Negro, who looked like a professional man, came in, and at once he began to tell me so that all could hear him something about 'nigger'. 10 FROM “SUPERMAN” TO MAN.
... . This morning we were in the elevator, when a well-dressed Negro, who looked like a professional man, came in, and at once he began to tell me so that all could hear him something about 'nigger'. 10 FROM “SUPERMAN” TO MAN.
Page 11
... tell about the Negroes in his state, using words as "darkies,” “niggers,” and "coons.” Then he grew entertaining and began telling jokes about chicken-stealing, razor-fights, and watermelon feasts among Negroes. Of such jokes he ...
... tell about the Negroes in his state, using words as "darkies,” “niggers,” and "coons.” Then he grew entertaining and began telling jokes about chicken-stealing, razor-fights, and watermelon feasts among Negroes. Of such jokes he ...
Page 16
... telling me what someone else says. What I want to know is, what do YOU think.” "Each of us,” replied Dixon, evenly, “however learned, however independent, is compelled to seek the opinion of someone else on some particular subject at ...
... telling me what someone else says. What I want to know is, what do YOU think.” "Each of us,” replied Dixon, evenly, “however learned, however independent, is compelled to seek the opinion of someone else on some particular subject at ...
Page 18
... Tell me, has the Negro race ever produced a Julius Caesar, a Shakespeare, a Montezuma, a Buddha, a Confucius? The Negro and all the Negroid races are inherently inferior. It is idiocy to say the Negro is the equal of the Caucasian. God ...
... Tell me, has the Negro race ever produced a Julius Caesar, a Shakespeare, a Montezuma, a Buddha, a Confucius? The Negro and all the Negroid races are inherently inferior. It is idiocy to say the Negro is the equal of the Caucasian. God ...
Page 19
... Has the Negro anything to compare? Has he anything at all to boast of? Nothing! And yet in the face of all of these overwhelming facts, things patent to even the most ignorant, you tell me the Negro is the equal. FROM “SUPERMAN” TO MAN 19.
... Has the Negro anything to compare? Has he anything at all to boast of? Nothing! And yet in the face of all of these overwhelming facts, things patent to even the most ignorant, you tell me the Negro is the equal. FROM “SUPERMAN” TO MAN 19.
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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