The Invention of the White Race

The book explores the formation of racial identities in America, particularly the emergence of 'whiteness' among European settlers, reshaping historical narratives on race.

In The Invention of the White Race, Theodore W. Allen presents a profound exploration of the origins of racial identity in America. He begins by examining the arrival of the first Africans in Virginia in 1619, a time when the concept of 'white' did not exist among the colonists. Allen argues that the transformation of various European groups—English, Scottish, Irish, and others—into a unified 'white' identity is central to understanding the development of racial slavery and the paradox of American democracy. This work challenges traditional narratives that focus solely on the status of African Americans, instead emphasizing the social dynamics among European settlers.

Volume One of this two-volume study seeks to address the 'white blind spot' that has long obscured the historical discourse on race. By drawing parallels with Irish history, Allen provides a fresh perspective on racial oppression, illustrating how social control mechanisms were employed to establish and maintain racial hierarchies. He highlights the similarities between the experiences of the Anglo-Irish and the British in Ireland and the systemic oppression faced by Native Americans and African Americans in the United States.

Allen's analysis delves into the complexities of racial and national oppression, examining the contrasting paths of Catholic Emancipation and Negro Emancipation. His work not only sheds light on the historical roots of racism in America but also invites readers to reconsider the fluidity of racial identities and the social constructs that underpin them. The Invention of the White Race is a groundbreaking contribution to the study of race and history, offering a nuanced understanding of America’s racial landscape.