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The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors
This collection of essays written by Frances Cress Welsing over an 18 year period following the presentation and publication of 'The Cress Theory of Color-Confrontation and Racism (White Supremacy) which was a theoretical statement, a psychogenetic theory and world outlook on the origin and meaning of the global white supremacy system. This theory summarizes and clarifies the experience of non-white peoples on a planet dominated by people who classify themselves as 'white' and who are a minority of the world's people.
300 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
March 9, 2012
I first read this when I was in college (in the '80s) and I've been fascinated by it ever since. I appreciate her psychiatric approach to tying together the relevance of symbols that are seemingly unrelated. I'm doing it no justice in my explanation, but in actually reading the book - the concept makes much sense.
If you're open to thinking of things in ways you probably never did before, this is a great book for you.
If you're open to thinking of things in ways you probably never did before, this is a great book for you.
January 24, 2023
Very deep. Makes you think and want to do better as a person and for my people.
March 15, 2013
I Loved It. I still use it to decode unconscious behavior of our race to this day.
May 4, 2010
This woman is a fringe kook but I have no doubt that mainstream psychiatry has plans to first classify any "racist" feelings among whites as a disorder and eventually even acknowledging that there is such a thing as race. This book also goes a long way to prove what I often say that people who work in the mental health field are quite often mentally unstable themself.
The main point Welsing tries to get across in this point is that so called white racism is the result of an concious and subconcious fear of whites that they will be "geneticly annihilated" through race mixing. I would agree with her that this is, and should be, a fear among the remaining sane portion of the white race. But along with this basic thesis, which I believe has some basis she mixes in some completely wacked out anti-white claims that are so screwy its unintentionally funny. Her ideas about sports and balls are particuarly funny with her ramblings about smashing and hitting white balls. There are all kinds of weird sexual interpretations of white behavior in The Isis Papers. She sees white penis everywhere, missiles, architecture, household appliances. She's really obsessed. My own Freudian analysis of Welsing tells me that she is sexually frustrated and would like to be a black dominatrix degrading white males or kicking white guys in the nuts but also feels a conflicting desire to be ravaged and dominated by a white man with a large penis.
Welsing also claims that whites subconciously want to be black and gives examples like white hippies being dirty is an attempt to make their skin black and she states that whites like to rub fecal matter on themselves as a way to have brown skin! Not surprisingly she also states right off the bat that the title and idea for the book came from a patient of hers in a Washington D.C public mental health clinic.
Her ideas on racial origins are pretty wacky too. She says whites were albinos cast out of the tribe in Africa. Jews get a pass with Welsing. She says they are "mulattos" who are the result of Roman soldiers raping African women. I'm giving this book 4 stars mainly because I love to read fringe theories and ideas. Also for being one of the funniest unintentionally funny books I have read and also she does bring up something that I believe white people are afraid to discuss and that is we will potentially cease to exist if we fully accept universalism and randomly intermarry and breed with other races.
The main point Welsing tries to get across in this point is that so called white racism is the result of an concious and subconcious fear of whites that they will be "geneticly annihilated" through race mixing. I would agree with her that this is, and should be, a fear among the remaining sane portion of the white race. But along with this basic thesis, which I believe has some basis she mixes in some completely wacked out anti-white claims that are so screwy its unintentionally funny. Her ideas about sports and balls are particuarly funny with her ramblings about smashing and hitting white balls. There are all kinds of weird sexual interpretations of white behavior in The Isis Papers. She sees white penis everywhere, missiles, architecture, household appliances. She's really obsessed. My own Freudian analysis of Welsing tells me that she is sexually frustrated and would like to be a black dominatrix degrading white males or kicking white guys in the nuts but also feels a conflicting desire to be ravaged and dominated by a white man with a large penis.
Welsing also claims that whites subconciously want to be black and gives examples like white hippies being dirty is an attempt to make their skin black and she states that whites like to rub fecal matter on themselves as a way to have brown skin! Not surprisingly she also states right off the bat that the title and idea for the book came from a patient of hers in a Washington D.C public mental health clinic.
Her ideas on racial origins are pretty wacky too. She says whites were albinos cast out of the tribe in Africa. Jews get a pass with Welsing. She says they are "mulattos" who are the result of Roman soldiers raping African women. I'm giving this book 4 stars mainly because I love to read fringe theories and ideas. Also for being one of the funniest unintentionally funny books I have read and also she does bring up something that I believe white people are afraid to discuss and that is we will potentially cease to exist if we fully accept universalism and randomly intermarry and breed with other races.
July 3, 2013
This is a good book that I had years ago, I've lost it or loaned it out so I have purchased it again so I can read it again.
It gives insight into racial things in this country.
It gives insight into racial things in this country.
April 28, 2008
"Balls theory" was spot on or rather I thought along similar lines myself: the fascination or rather hero worship of men who play around/with balls--whether foot, basket, base or golf. However, the rabid homophobia spoiled it and the melanin equals special powers completely lost me.
As dark and lovely as I am, I can attest that melanin does not give a person supernatural powers.
As dark and lovely as I am, I can attest that melanin does not give a person supernatural powers.
February 12, 2009
An eye opener that inspired me to read further on dealing with the issue of color. Color is beautiful and the rest of the world knows this. The Symbols that Welsing uncovers are shocking yet so poignant.
November 9, 2011
The book takes a good look at the conditioning of the black mind. As radical as many of Dr. Welsing's theories are, when I began to look at things through her lens, I realized one simply cannot afford to overlook the fact that she is symbolically right.
February 17, 2010
If you have not read this one you missing some vial pieces in the psychology of the American born African. Written in easy to digest Essays Frances Cress Welsing has made the information accessible.She's brilliant. Alkebulanbooks.com
Book:http://alkebulanbooks.com/index.php?p...
Book:http://alkebulanbooks.com/index.php?p...
November 28, 2012
We need more enlightment on such issues,plus this blackwoman is a voice for progress those who don't get it just shows their limited understanding of whts going on around them peace i-god!
October 15, 2020
I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to engage in a political conversation with anyone ever again who hasn’t read and fully dissected this book. Don’t read it in a state of denial, but from a state of wanting to “know” what is going on out here in this world. I will say, it is not for the faint of heart. You have to be ready to receive truth. That means, this knowledge is not for you to agree with or disagree with. Just receive it. Let it sit with you. Open your mind. Open your heart. See.
February 28, 2021
The information in these essays lead by Dr. Cress-Welsing provided an explanation as history was examined. There are several that agree with the years of research these psychiatrists have presented, as profound instances are continuing to occur. Highly recommended
April 22, 2017
At the point at which the author equated the football field goal as being a psychological representation of the black male (because the football is non-white and large) penetrating the white woman (the white goal posts are the legs of a woman on her back), I began to wonder if this book was not clever satire on psychoanalysis. At the point at which she summated all African religion in a single sentence, and then as corollary stated that the white man is incapable of experiencing true transcend feeling because of a melanin deficiency, I started to question her sanity.
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January 24, 2008POWERFUL!
February 24, 2014
This book was probably one of the most powerful texts I've ever read in terms of its complete analysis on how white supremacy's fingers extend into every facet of life that can be controlled, thus producing devastating consequences that are still present through my existence as a 'free' black woman. It's unbelievable to me how much the author's theory makes sense and how it can logically be connected to all subsequent actions that influence both public and private life with different levels of harshness based on genetic threat. The constant realization that my history extends to the beginning of humankind and not with the brutal and inhumane institution of black slavery always reminds me that my skin color is a result of the start of humanity and that I should be proud, difficult as it may be living in a world that is oppressive. Anyways, although some points were difficult to agree with and hence, swallow about the author's observations of black existence in the modern world, it made sense...about family structure, about education, about sexuality, about our humanity. This book was written over thirty years ago and it still rings significantly true if not more potent with the extension of time into supposed equality for all. It has inspired to me to learn about my history before white supremacy annihilated it.
April 23, 2023
Provides a deeper dive into the stresses of racism and the oppression system that white dominion has created through all elements of the human experience. One of the most important books I’ve read to date.
February 18, 2009
very early and prophetic insights into African Americans and mental illness (if one is enlightened). A great read.
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September 2, 2010This book opened my mind to many issues. The essays make you think.
December 25, 2017
Damn! she boldly went where few dare to tread...and if heaven is truly vast expansion of space, nothing is more expandable then the human mind...the mind is truly a terrible thing to waste. Somethings really are in black and white and no matter if it is called racism, bigotry, prejudicy, separatism, or playing the race card, the reality is as plain as the nose before your face. Dr. Welsing just had courage enough for the truth to put it in print for all to see and judge for themselves. There is no more room for excuses because you have been notified!!!
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December 1, 2012very enlighting make u say wow! and yearn to know more
January 9, 2016
Dr. Welsing passed away on January 2nd, 2016, so I decided to pick this book up again in her honor. She was a pioneer in her own right as well as a very important figure in the African American community. The work she did throughout her life was amazing and note-worthy. I admire Dr. Welsing, but this book, not so much. There is a lot of good in the book, but also a lot of imbalance in terms of structure and delivery as well as some theories that are far-fetched and based on nothing but assumptions rather than factual evidence. And this is where my confusion lies because the book also contains some well-evidenced and accurate theories as well. So my low rating is mainly based on my confusion. I wish I could have had an opportunity to have a conversation with Dr. Welsing before she passed. So much I'd like to ask and clear up related to this text.
As an avid reader and reviewer, I've established a rating scale that I either apply to, or consider in, my reviews: content, delivery, relevance and impact. The racism conversation is, sadly, still as relevant today in 2016 as it was in 1991 when this book was written. Much of the content is important. So two stars there. But the book is lacking in the areas of delivery and impact. For example, this book contains lots of conversation about symbols and what they mean. And it contains lots of conversation about racism and why it exists, but the book never effectively ties the two together in a way that makes sense. It's almost like reading two separate books at the same time. As a reader, this, alone, left me feeling empty at the end and like my time had been wasted. Something is missing from the text that ties it all together.
In order to get from this book what you need to get, you must approach it from the right angle. If you don't, you'll be so lost in the numerous typos, editing errors and disorganization of the text that you won't have the energy to absorb the analysis for what it's worth. So approach it from the right angle. The right angle, in my opinion, starts with understanding the title and what the author is intending to do with it. Isis was an African Goddess who was married to a powerful African God. After her husband was murdered by his own brother, Isis sought the truth and justice in this regard. It's important to note that Dr. Welsing was big on symbolism. With that said, this book, Isis, is an effort to highlight that truth and justice for people of color are overshadowed and overpowered by racism. This is the basis of this text. It's also important to note that Dr. Welsing was a psychiatrist and dedicated most of her life to analyzing, associating and theorizing behaviors, causes and impacts. Therefore, this reads like a psychoanalysis rather than a text for leisure. I'd imagine that it is good material for psychology students. And the "Papers" part of the title is because this text is a collection of essays Dr. Welsing wrote over the course of her career.
In summary, I found this book to be poorly written, often times unrealistic, imbalanced and contradictory. You can't be passionate for justice for a group of people and be discriminatory against another group. Hence the fact that Dr. Welsing was homophobic.
As an avid reader and reviewer, I've established a rating scale that I either apply to, or consider in, my reviews: content, delivery, relevance and impact. The racism conversation is, sadly, still as relevant today in 2016 as it was in 1991 when this book was written. Much of the content is important. So two stars there. But the book is lacking in the areas of delivery and impact. For example, this book contains lots of conversation about symbols and what they mean. And it contains lots of conversation about racism and why it exists, but the book never effectively ties the two together in a way that makes sense. It's almost like reading two separate books at the same time. As a reader, this, alone, left me feeling empty at the end and like my time had been wasted. Something is missing from the text that ties it all together.
In order to get from this book what you need to get, you must approach it from the right angle. If you don't, you'll be so lost in the numerous typos, editing errors and disorganization of the text that you won't have the energy to absorb the analysis for what it's worth. So approach it from the right angle. The right angle, in my opinion, starts with understanding the title and what the author is intending to do with it. Isis was an African Goddess who was married to a powerful African God. After her husband was murdered by his own brother, Isis sought the truth and justice in this regard. It's important to note that Dr. Welsing was big on symbolism. With that said, this book, Isis, is an effort to highlight that truth and justice for people of color are overshadowed and overpowered by racism. This is the basis of this text. It's also important to note that Dr. Welsing was a psychiatrist and dedicated most of her life to analyzing, associating and theorizing behaviors, causes and impacts. Therefore, this reads like a psychoanalysis rather than a text for leisure. I'd imagine that it is good material for psychology students. And the "Papers" part of the title is because this text is a collection of essays Dr. Welsing wrote over the course of her career.
In summary, I found this book to be poorly written, often times unrealistic, imbalanced and contradictory. You can't be passionate for justice for a group of people and be discriminatory against another group. Hence the fact that Dr. Welsing was homophobic.
September 2, 2007
Pyschiatrist Cress Welsing's functional definition of racism - the local and global power system structured and maintained by persons who classify themselves as white, whether consciously or subconsciously determined; this system consists of patterns of perception, logic, symbol formation, thought, speech, action and emotional response, as conducted simultaneously in all areas of people activity (economics, education, entertainment, labor, law, politics, religion, sex and war). The ultimate purpose of the system is to prevent white genetic annihilation on Earth - a planet in which the overwhelming majority of people are classified as non-white (black, brown, red and yellow) by white-skinned people. All the non-white people are genetically dominant (in terms of skin coloration) compared to the genetically recessive white-skinned people. Very interesting book.
March 16, 2009
Excellent read. It address the reason racism exists and much more.
October 31, 2011
She did her homework on the subject matter. Very interesting insight into the white supremacist psyche.
October 24, 2014
Excellent collection of essays; my favorite is the Unified Theory of Psychiatry.
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June 23, 2009Wow, is all can say about his book.
July 7, 2009
I found Dr. Welsing's writing very dense and difficult to get through. Much of here theories were far-fetched in my opinion.
August 20, 2009
this lady's nuts!
July 17, 2017
I read this book back in 2004 and it was a MAJOR eye opener for me. I mean MAJOR. After going through each chapter, I'd take a look around and compare her theories to society and American history. The corresponding truths are absolutely flooring. We know racism and sexism exist, but this brings it all out into a much clearer perspective. 100% recommend reading this book to ANYONE, any race, any sex, period.
August 12, 2014
Speechless... After Dr. Welsing challenged anyone to challenge her, no one ever stepped up to the plate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews