Early in the Civil War; Louisiana's Confederate government sanctioned a militia unit of black troops; the Louisiana Native Guards. Intended as a response to demands from members of New Orleans' substantial free black population that they be permitted to participate in the defense of their state; the unit was used by Confederate authorities for public display and propaganda purposes but was not allowed to fight. After the fall of New Orleans; General Benjamin F. Butler brought the Native Guards into Federal military service and increased their numbers with runaway slaves. He intended to use the troops for guard duty and heavy labor. His successor; Nathaniel P. Banks; did not trust the black Native Guard officers; and as he replaced them with white commanders; the mistreatment and misuse of the black troops steadily increased. The first large-scale deployment of the Native Guards occurred in May; 1863; during the Union siege of Port Hudson; Louisiana; when two of their regiments were ordered to storm an impregnable hilltop position. Although the soldiers fought valiantly; the charge was driven back with extensive losses. The white officers and the northern press praised the tenacity and fighting ability of the black troops; but they were still not accepted on the same terms as their white counterparts. After the war; Native Guard veterans took up the struggle for civil rights - in particular; voting rights - for Louisiana's black population. The Louisiana Native Guards is the first account to consider that struggle. By documenting their endeavors through Reconstruction; James G. Hollandsworth places the Native Guards' military service in the broader context of a civil rights movement thatpredates more recent efforts by a hundred years. This remarkable work presents a vivid picture of men eager to prove their courage and ability to a world determined to exploit and demean them.
#120233 in Books Tharps Lori L 2016-10-04 2016-10-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x .90 x 6.30l; .0 #File Name: 0807076783216 pagesSame Family Different Colors Confronting Colorism in America s Diverse Families
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Different Colors is highly recommended as an introduction to the challenge of colorismBy babaganoujProfessor Lori Tharps has produced a pathbreaking study on colorism---the favored treatment of a light skinned member of a race; ethnic group or nationality. Colorism occurs in the United States; Latin America; Europe; India and East Asia. Based on her personal experience (each of her three children has a different skin tone) and interviews with Black; Latino and Asian people in the United States; Tharps explains the concerns parents have about favoring one child over a sibling or siblings; and equipping a darker skinned child to encounter a color conscious society.Having light skin is not always an advantage. Tharps discusses the importance of tribal affiliation among members of all races. Accordingly; many light skinned people feel isolated within their own race; ethnic group; or nationality.With pride; Tharps celebrates nascent world-wide efforts to address colorism.Though the topic is serious; Same Family; Different Colors is a pleasure to read. Tharps tells stories from her own life and warmly recounts experiences of the people she interviews. By the time the book is finished; the reader considers Tharps a friend.Tharps teaches journalism at Temple University. She must be an exemplary teacher; as her own writing is clear; concise and fast moving.Same Family; Different Colors is highly recommended as an introduction to the challenge of colorism.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. This book is a good way to understand and start a conversation about colorism in AmericaBy Amy HenleyLike it says on the cover-this book confronts colorism in America's diverse families. The author interviewed every day people and public figures (authors; academics; celebrities; journalists; and activists) to gather experiences to discuss in this book. I know another reviewer panned the book for lack of a research foundation - "There are lots of scholarly/technical notions that are not included." Speaking as someone that has a Ph.D. and has read and wrote scholarly journal articles; that is not what I was expecting from this book. Its not proclaiming to be a research book; so I am not holding it to that standard. What it does claim is "weaving together personal stories; histories; and analysis" to explore how skin-color politics affect family dynamics. I was expecting some sort of argument/claim; support for that argument/claim; and conclusion by use of the word "analysis;" but a book doesn't have to be academic to contain that framework. This book does have a logical framework that includes both science and culture in terms the average person can understand and appreciate.The author covers the most prevalent "colors" that make up America and uses the terms African-American; Latino; Asian-American; and mixed-race Americans to describe those of color. As you might guess by the use of the word America; this is not about other countries like Brazil and Japan. Although making reference to what occurs in other countries to shed light on how those in America are treated the same or different is not a bad idea; but is not necessary for the scope of this book. The book contains stories and anecdotes from diverse people across the United States.I think the opening quote by James McBride sets a good tone to start the book - God's spirit doesn't have a color- "God is the color of water." I take that quote to mean we are all in this together (little drops in the same big ocean) and no color is better or worse than another; just different. That is a nice sentiment; and one I hold dear to my heart; and ideally that is how we would all treat each other. However; if everyone felt that way; we might not need this book. And; we do need books like this one; if our goal is to understand and positively change the way we think about color in America.I agree with the author that talking about color is hard. I moved around a lot as a kid; and all over the United States (North; South; East; West; big cities; and small towns) due to my Dad's job. He was a VP salesman. I had to learn how to quickly make friends at new schools. This moving around every few years; while difficult; afforded me opportunities to meet and become friends with people of all different races; colors; creeds; and religions. I'm a fair skinned white woman married to a dark skinned black man; and I have had friends in all the color categories applied in this book. I remember the conversations I've had about color; racism; stereotypes; and prejudice with people I barely know and with people about which I care deeply. Despite any close connections these conversations were not always easy. The only times they were easy was if everyone that was part of the discussion felt the exact same way about the same issues. As you might guess that did not happen every time. I can only speak for myself - sometimes these conversations were civil and improved my understanding; and sometimes the group decided to end the conversation before things got too heated. I feel like these discussions are important for me to have; though at times difficult; because I want to learn about other people; their experiences; and their view on life. I'm hoping their experiences will give me a chance to grow for the better. If enough of us improve our understanding; I'm hoping we can make positive changes in the United States. I wonder how some of those conversations might have gone differently for the better; if we all read this book first to come from a shared context.I really feel that this book is about understanding ourselves and others. I think most people that will want to read this book will do so with an open mind and a mind seeking understanding. As I write this review in September of 2016; a lot has happened to increase tension between people of different colors. So many people are angry. I can only hope that books like this one will at least start a conversation that can lead to positive change.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Personal stories and journalistic reporting on color in America and other countries.By ZenWomanLori Tharps knows about colorism first hand as her natural born children have different skin colors. She has used her own experiences to write a very personal; honest and courageous book about racism that prevails in America.As I read her book; I was very moved by her experiences where one of her children was treated more favorably as he had lighter skin. Since Tharps uses a very matter of fact; honest voice; as I read her book; it caused my to confront my own perceptions and stereotypes that I have formed since I moved to USA some years ago from India. A different kind of colorism exists in India where lighter skin is considered a mark of beauty especially for women. Tharps correctly points out that though many races come in all shades like Asian Americans; there is an expectation to be more uniform as a family in the USA.These biases are so deep rooted in all of us; and Tharps makes us question our inherent bias through her book. Race is a topic always on my mind given the current events; I feel more aware and knowledgeable after reading this book. Tharps drew me in with her personal story; and then went on to talk about race and color in USA; Latin America; Asia; South East Asia; and others. The stories she highlighted rang so true and made me remember my own childhood where my grandmother would make all kind of concoctions to preserve my lighter skin. And even now when my skin gets a lot paler in winter I think; grandma would be proud!My one criticism of the book is that Tharps does bring in discussion about color in other countries; but I wish she had highlighted the nuances between white skin and White people; and darker skin and Black people. It's not just a book about skin color but just race too; and that distinction is not always clear. Although; race and skin color are intertwined; it would have been good to see a little more separation.Overall; it's so much easier to read a book that connects with personal stories; while giving information to understand and create change; and this book meets all those criteria. I recommend reading it to examine colorism and our own inherent biases more deeply.
