"Black and White: Land, Labor, and Politics in the South" by Timothy Thomas Fortune is a seminal work of non-fiction that delves into African American history, civil rights, and race relations during the Reconstruction era in the Southern United States. Through meticulous historical analysis, Fortune examines the complex interplay between politics, labor rights, and social justice, shedding light on the economic inequality and racial discrimination prevalent in the region. With a focus on the Jim Crow laws and segregationist policies, Fortune provides a comprehensive overview of Southern politics and the struggles faced by African Americans in their quest for equality. Drawing from a wealth of historical sources, the book offers valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of the civil rights movement, highlighting the resilience and determination of those fighting for justice. As a work of historical analysis, "Black and White" serves as an essential resource for understanding the legacy of Reconstruction and its impact on race relations in the United States. Fortune's rigorous scholarship and compelling narrative make this book a valuable contribution to the study of African American history and the ongoing pursuit of social justice.
Timothy Thomas Fortune was an American speaker, civil rights activist, journalist, author, editor, and publisher. He was the very important editor of The New York Age, the nation's leading black newspaper, as well as the black community's foremost economist. He was a longtime adviser to Booker T. Washington and edited his first autobiography, The Story of My Life and Work. Fortune's concept of violent activism for black people's rights helped lay the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement. Timothy Thomas Fortune was born into slavery in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida, to Emanuel Fortune and Sarah Jane Fortune, and received his early education at Marianna's first school for African Americans following the Civil War. Timothy Thomas Fortune was born into slavery in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida, to Emanuel Fortune and Sarah Jane Fortune, and received his early education at Marianna's first school for African Americans following the Civil War. His family relocated to Jacksonville, where he attended Edwin M. Stanton School (the precursor of Stanton College Preparatory School). He worked as a page in the state senate and as an apprentice printer at a Jacksonville newspaper while his father, Emanuel, was a Reconstruction politician in Florida. Fortune formerly worked for the Marianna Courier and, later, the Jacksonville Daily-Times Union.