This is the first edition of William Lawrence's autobiography since 1886. A former child labourer in Studland; he ran away to join the army and saw action in some of the most notable campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars. A fascinating personal story and also an important piece of social history.
#1234799 in Books Verso 1999-05-01 1999-05-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.55 #File Name: 1859841406442 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A STORY OF CARIBBEANS IN THE US; 1900- 1930sBy Roy WilsonWinston James' Holding Aloft the Banner of Ethiopia will clarify our understanding of Afro-Caribbean migrants in the US. It sheds more light on not just Hispanics but non-Hispanics as well.His thesis is expository. He explains the "scale and determinants of Caribbean migration to the United States and the migrants' political behavior from the turn of the century up to the Great Depression."Some well-known but poorly constructed and substantiated arguments; advanced by scholars about the political behavior of Caribbeans in their States of origin and as migrants in America are rejected by James. It could well be that literature on the subject--Afro-Caribbeans political views/behaviour--is just sparse. Then James is right; much more scholarly work on the people who came to America from the Caribbean should be done.The book is fairly comprehensive in its study; by looking beyond the English speaking Caribbean to the Spanish speakers as well; covering the period 1900-1932.His stated objectives for the book are:i.) To present historical evidence and analysis to of arguments claiming that Caribbean migrants changed from "conservatism" in the Caribbean to "radicalism" in America;ii.) To broaden the discussion beyond the Anglophone Caribbean to the Hispanic Caribbean;iii.) To contribute to the wider understanding of the African Diaspora; andiv.) To throw new light on the historical and cultural complexity and heterogeneity of the Caribbean Region and variations in it's Diaspora in the USA.Of the Afro-Cubans in Florida; James tell a beautiful; yet sad story of a community of Cuban tabaqueros; cigar makers; who worked for Vincente MartÃnez Ybor the Cuban; anti-colonialism cigar producer who established a Cuban cigar factory in Tampa Florida. Some of these workers were leaders in the "Union de Tabaqueros;" founded in 1879.Strong class solidarity existed between whites and Afro-Cubans during this period. This cohesion was reinforced by the leadership of Jose Marti; the Cuban Nationalist who denounced racism and attempted to militarily remove the Spanish and to establish a Cuba; free from racism and intolerance.James explained how the racial harmony of Cuban workers in Ybor City succumbed to bigotry and hatred by 1923.The change was not instigated by white America's racial practices alone but by a combination of:a) The change in the principled leadership of the Cuban-American Community after Jose Marti; was killed in battle to liberate Cuba;b) The implementation of Apartheid in Ybor City by America's Jim Crow laws;c) Penetration of the Cuban Community by other people living in the surrounding cities;d) White Cubans realigning themselves for the privileges associated with whiteness.I recommend this work for students; general readers and especially those with an interest in history; politics; literature and the development of the Society!See Also:Ready for Revolution: The Life and Struggles of Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture)In-Dependence from Bondage: Claude McKay and Michael Manley: Defying the Ideological Clash and Policy Gaps in African Diaspora RelationsThe Groundings With My BrothersCuba: A Revolution in Motion13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Professor James has written a pathbreaking history ...By kwoodard@mail.slc.edu; Komozi Woodard; author; A Nation Within A NationHolding Aloft the Banner of Ethiopia is required reading for anyone interested in the history of Black radicalism in the United States; particularly the singular role played by people of Caribbean descent. Professor James skillfully examines the history and political economy of race relations in the French and Spanish speaking Caribbean. Here is the background of the African Blood Brotherhood led by Cyril Briggs and the Universal Negro Improvement Association led by Marcus Garvey. Moreover; this is the background of the singular Arthur Schomburg (actually Arturo Schomburg) who founded the pivotal Harlem library and research center. There is an important analysis of Hubert H. Harrison's role in inspiring Harlem's Black radicalism. Furthermore; this is the complex history of Jesus Colon's ideas on race and class. In conclusion; this book is essential to an understanding of 20th Black radicalism; modern Black leadership; and the background to Black Power. While we are waiting for Jeff Perry's biography of Hubert H. Harrison; the Black Socrates of the Harlem Renaissance; this is as good as it gets!0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy CustomerIs in good condition
