The Enlightenment era, which shaped modern concepts of freedom and democracy, coincided with the peak of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. America, founded on liberty, is also rooted in African slavery, Native American genocide, and systemic racial discrimination. This work examines the intricate relationship between freedom and race from the eighteenth century to the present, revealing that freedom has often been synonymous with whiteness. Tyler Stovall delves into the shared histories of racism and freedom in France and the United States, two nations that have positioned liberty at the core of their identities. He highlights how thinkers in both countries defined freedom in racial terms, viewing it as a privilege reserved for white individuals. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the U.S. and a symbol of freedom, promised both liberty and whiteness to European immigrants. Stovall challenges the idea that racism is a contradiction within democratic traditions, asserting that white identity is central to Western notions of liberty. This significant scholarly work is poised to engage a broad audience and reshape contemporary discussions, offering essential insights into the racism embedded in our most cherished beliefs about freedom, liberty, and human rights.
