America's Original Sin: A Collection of Essays on Racism and the Continuing Scourge of White Supremacy by K. Gerald Torrence is a compelling exploration of the pervasive and enduring impact of racism in America. This book did not begin as an intentional project; rather, it emerged from the author's heartfelt reflections on current events affecting African Americans over the past two years. These personal and spontaneous musings gradually evolved into a profound collection of essays, each one revealing the deep-seated connections between historical and contemporary issues of racism and white supremacy.
Torrence, a child of the 1960s, grew up on the campuses of Tuskegee Institute and Tennessee State University, where his father served as provost and president. Despite his privileged upbringing, it wasn't until later in life that he fully grasped the realities of America's dual identity-one Black, one white. Through extensive study of African, European, and American history, Torrence began to see the threads of racism and white supremacy that have been woven into the fabric of American society from its inception.
In *America's Original Sin*, Torrence delves into the lives and writings of prominent figures like Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, and Malcolm X, among others, to shed light on the historical roots of racial injustice and the ongoing struggle for equality. This collection of essays provides a raw and unflinching look at the systemic racism that continues to shape the lives of African Americans today, offering readers a historical lens through which to understand the complexities of the American experience.
This book is not just a reflection on the past, but a call to recognize the persistence of America's original sin-racism and white supremacy-and the urgent need for change. *America's Original Sin* is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the ongoing fight for racial justice in the United States.