The Practice of Citizenship
Book description
In the years between the American Revolution and the U.S. Civil War, as legal and cultural understandings of citizenship became more racially restrictive, black writers articulated an expansive, practice-based theory of citizenship. Grounded in political participation, mutual aid, critique and revolution, and the myriad daily interactions between people living in…
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
1 author picked The Practice of Citizenship as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This is a fascinating book that deals with one of the central dilemmas in American history—that a nation committed to high ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a republic made up of people from several lands could also be a nation committed to racial oppression and the denial of fundamental rights. It considers citizenship not as noun but as verb—a dynamic process, not just a legal affiliation. Spires gets at the complexity of American life, explaining approaches to citizenship that required savvy improvisation, community formation, and determined commitment to ideals that were violated by the dominant…
From John's list on early African American community activism.
Want books like The Practice of Citizenship?
Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Practice of Citizenship.
Browse books like The Practice of Citizenship
5 book lists we think you will like!
Interested in citizenship, African Americans, and African American authors?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about citizenship, African Americans, and African American authors.