The Presidents and Black America

An acclaimed journalist and political analyst strips away the hero worship often found in history books to look at how each president—from Washington to Trump—impacted Black lives.

“An intellectual gem of prophetic fire about all the U.S. presidents and their deep roots in the vicious legacy of white supremacy and predatory capitalism.” —Cornel West, author of Race Matters

Throughout the history of the United States, numerous presidents have been remembered as slaveholders, bigots, and inciters of racial violence. But were others generally regarded as more sympathetic to the plight and interests of Black Americans—such as Lincoln, FDR, Clinton, Obama, and Biden—really much better? And what of all the presidents whose interactions with and impacts on the lives of Black America are hardly considered at all?

Over the course of 47 chapters—one for each administration—Kimberley examines the condition of Black America through the attitudes and actions of the highest elected official in the country. She illustrates the merits and especially the shortcomings of even those presidents considered more progressive than their contemporaries on race issues. What emerges is an informative and engaging guide that re-centers the perspectives of Black Americans, considering the particular impacts of political policies and practices on their lives and communities.

By casting sunlight on an aspect of American history that is largely overlooked, The Presidents and Black America aims to enable readers to learn new facts and discern patterns in ways that will increase awareness and understanding, and hopefully, facilitate discussion and change.