A tale of 2 reviews: Recently, my book, “Modern Bonds: Redefining Community in Early 20thc. St. Paul,” has been both lauded and panned. Why? Opposing views on racial justice and its history in MN. Let's take a closer look. #academia #publishing #racism 1/12
The negative review critiqued Modern Bonds for its persistent focus on #racism/racial discrimination & the way I challenge positive narratives about midwestern culture especially compared to other parts of the country. That review is here 2/12 cambridge.org/core/journals/…
Given current discussions & research @ the nature/history of racial discrimination in MN’s Twin Cities it is surprising that the neg review suggests I *overplay* the presence/impact of structural & overt racism there a century ago. #JimCrow #MidwestHist 3/12 
The negative review seems to imply that if racism in one locale was less horrifying than racism in other parts of the US, we might downplay the racism, violence and fear that was present. 4/12
But it's wrong to downplay/negate the impact of racism/violence/fear by saying that the Black people in Place A had it better than the Black people in Place B. My book takes pains to uncover histories that have been downplayed/overlooked. #HiddenHistory 5/12
In part, I analyze a never-before-discussed car parade at the beloved St. Paul Winter Carnival in which hundreds of white people dressed in KKK robes. And I reproduce rare images of Black men serving as “attendants” to a white “King” #WinterCarnival 6/12
It is a fact: a century ago the Carnival put racism on display in the Twin Cities. The parade's white participants & their Black neighbors are the grandparents/great-grandparents of today’s TC residents. Generationally, this is not long ago. #Rondo 7/12
In contrast, the positive review values the book’s consistent engagement w/ race and racism and its accounting of the extraordinary ways that “African Americans reacted to such threats and provocations” 1900-1920. That review is avail. here 8/ 12
journals.openedition.org/ejas/15996
journals.openedition.org/ejas/15996
The positive review foregrounds how "Modern Bonds" challenges rhetoric of those in power who claimed communal bonds/unity & notes that my analysis of everyday cultural practices exposes structural racism c.1910 (Useful to critique racism c. 2020 too). 9/12
Ultimately our current challenges to build & sustain “community” in urban spaces owe much to this earlier moment. As I argue, the rhetoric of community can cover sins & divisions. We must continue to be on guard for racism sustained through such rhetoric. 10/12
Modernizing America has much to teach us in 2020. Importantly, it tells us that George Floyd's death in the Twin Cities is rooted in racism from the past that is still directly relevant today. #MappingPrejudice 11/12
P.S. If you'd like to learn more about how the idea of community was remade in urban America a century ago & what lessons this remaking offers for justice & equity work now, "Modern Bonds" is available at: 12/12 umasspress.com/9781625343352/…
Thanks for amplifying this @drclairemmassey. The critique based on too much discussion of racism is a head scratcher.
