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Democracy, Race, and Justice: The Speeches and Writings of Sadie T. M. Alexander
The first book to bring together the key writings and speeches of civil rights activist Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander — the first Black American economist
“Sadie Alexander embodies the Black feminist saying, 'the political is personal.' Her speeches brilliantly intertwine economics and law and will empower the next generation scholars-activists fighting for social justice.”—Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, President, Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race
In 1921, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander became the first Black American to gain a Ph.D. degree in economics. Unable to find employment as an economist because of discrimination, Alexander became a lawyer so that she could press for equal rights for African Americans. Although her historical significance has been relatively ignored, Alexander was a pioneering civil rights activist who used both the law and economic analysis to challenge racial inequities and deprivations.
This volume—a recovery of Sadie Alexander’s economic thought—provides a comprehensive account of her thought-provoking speeches and writings on the relationship between democracy, race, and justice. Nina Banks’s introductions bring fresh insight into the events and ideologies that underpinned Alexander’s outlook and activism. A brilliant intellectual, Alexander called for bold, redistributive policies that would ensure racial justice for Black Americans while also providing a foundation to safeguard democracy.
“Sadie Alexander embodies the Black feminist saying, 'the political is personal.' Her speeches brilliantly intertwine economics and law and will empower the next generation scholars-activists fighting for social justice.”—Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, President, Women's Institute for Science, Equity and Race
In 1921, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander became the first Black American to gain a Ph.D. degree in economics. Unable to find employment as an economist because of discrimination, Alexander became a lawyer so that she could press for equal rights for African Americans. Although her historical significance has been relatively ignored, Alexander was a pioneering civil rights activist who used both the law and economic analysis to challenge racial inequities and deprivations.
This volume—a recovery of Sadie Alexander’s economic thought—provides a comprehensive account of her thought-provoking speeches and writings on the relationship between democracy, race, and justice. Nina Banks’s introductions bring fresh insight into the events and ideologies that underpinned Alexander’s outlook and activism. A brilliant intellectual, Alexander called for bold, redistributive policies that would ensure racial justice for Black Americans while also providing a foundation to safeguard democracy.
- GenresEconomicsSocial Justice
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2021
6 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 20, 2021
If you are apalled by the tenacity with which black lives are exploited, ignored and wiped out, let me introduce you to the early 20th century mayhem that was unjust and even life threatening for the black American community. The writings of Sadie T. M. Alexander are haunting and inspiring in equal measure. Haunting because they call an ace - an ace, they show us the world through the perspective of the oppressed and at other times they show us the mirror. Sadie's own life story is beyond inspiring, she did her doctorate in economics only to be denied the position of an economist. She was dejected yet she moved on, completed a degree in law, cleared the bar and became a relentless advocate of African American citizens across the span of the USA.
The speeches, even the fragments have this tension weighing down every word - the woman didn't beat around the bush, she was playing to kill. The book begins with a short biographical account which has proven to be essential in understanding where Alexander is coming from. Surprising as it is, her husband was extremely supportive of his wife's activism and career, something refreshing.
The entire span of the book boiled my blood and I went to bed with a headache, I don't know if there is any other way of understanding or to be honest, trying to understand the plight of people who were stripped of their dignity and humanity on something as baseless as the colour of ones skin. Alexander holds people accountable unflinchingly and speaks quite plainly of the hypocrisy of progressive white women.
I think what this book most certainly does is create a conversation, Alexander demands honesty, by being brutally just that.
Rest in power queen.
The speeches, even the fragments have this tension weighing down every word - the woman didn't beat around the bush, she was playing to kill. The book begins with a short biographical account which has proven to be essential in understanding where Alexander is coming from. Surprising as it is, her husband was extremely supportive of his wife's activism and career, something refreshing.
The entire span of the book boiled my blood and I went to bed with a headache, I don't know if there is any other way of understanding or to be honest, trying to understand the plight of people who were stripped of their dignity and humanity on something as baseless as the colour of ones skin. Alexander holds people accountable unflinchingly and speaks quite plainly of the hypocrisy of progressive white women.
I think what this book most certainly does is create a conversation, Alexander demands honesty, by being brutally just that.
Rest in power queen.
July 21, 2021
Nina Banks (ed.), Democracy, Race, and Justice The Speeches and Writings of Sadie T.M. Alexander, Yale University, 2021.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
What an opportune time for a collection of papers such as these to be published. The speeches and writing reach so much into the past that it seems beyond belief that in 2021 Congress is having to consider voting rights as a right as well as an antidote to the various state legislators’ introduction of laws which limit the voting rights of black and brown Americans. This collection, adroitly introduced by Nina Banks, would be a worthy read at any time, I am pleased to be able to review the book at such an important time in American political life.
The earliest of the collection was written in the 1920s, and the latest is Sadie T.M. Alexander’s response at a lunch honouring her in 1968. The collection is divided into four parts: Racial Ideology and Black Achievements; Black Women in the Political Economy; Black Workers and Economic Justice; and Democracy and Citizenship Rights. Banks has written a detailed preface, a short biography describing Alexander’s background, linking the obstacles she faced and the way in which African Americans in general had to deal with the lack of historical recognition of their achievements. She introduces each section with thoughtful commentary on the background to the ideas expressed in the papers, Alexander’s experience that gave her speeches authenticity and describes the way in which her work challenged racist views and behaviour at the time.
The speeches and writings are of their time, and nothing identifies this as much as the language Alexander uses. This is instructive, and contrasts with the current language used in the linking material written by Nina Banks, beautifully identifying some of the changes that have occurred. That the language has changed, however, is one thing. That the circumstances for Black Americans have not is another. So, while I found myself wanting to challenge language that referred to the general population as though it was male, the arguments on behalf of Black Americans are as strong as those made through more acceptable contemporary language. The recognition of women’s special situations is ably met through dedicated papers and speeches.
The index is incredibly detailed, reflecting the multitude of sources. Likewise, there is an impressive bibliography. Citations and explanations provide an intellectual strength to Banks’ introductions so that Alexander’s papers and speeches are established in their context. Together, the immediacy of Sadie T.M. Alexander’s words and Nina Banks’ insightful commentary make this a valuable contribution to current debate on democracy and voting rights in America.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
What an opportune time for a collection of papers such as these to be published. The speeches and writing reach so much into the past that it seems beyond belief that in 2021 Congress is having to consider voting rights as a right as well as an antidote to the various state legislators’ introduction of laws which limit the voting rights of black and brown Americans. This collection, adroitly introduced by Nina Banks, would be a worthy read at any time, I am pleased to be able to review the book at such an important time in American political life.
The earliest of the collection was written in the 1920s, and the latest is Sadie T.M. Alexander’s response at a lunch honouring her in 1968. The collection is divided into four parts: Racial Ideology and Black Achievements; Black Women in the Political Economy; Black Workers and Economic Justice; and Democracy and Citizenship Rights. Banks has written a detailed preface, a short biography describing Alexander’s background, linking the obstacles she faced and the way in which African Americans in general had to deal with the lack of historical recognition of their achievements. She introduces each section with thoughtful commentary on the background to the ideas expressed in the papers, Alexander’s experience that gave her speeches authenticity and describes the way in which her work challenged racist views and behaviour at the time.
The speeches and writings are of their time, and nothing identifies this as much as the language Alexander uses. This is instructive, and contrasts with the current language used in the linking material written by Nina Banks, beautifully identifying some of the changes that have occurred. That the language has changed, however, is one thing. That the circumstances for Black Americans have not is another. So, while I found myself wanting to challenge language that referred to the general population as though it was male, the arguments on behalf of Black Americans are as strong as those made through more acceptable contemporary language. The recognition of women’s special situations is ably met through dedicated papers and speeches.
The index is incredibly detailed, reflecting the multitude of sources. Likewise, there is an impressive bibliography. Citations and explanations provide an intellectual strength to Banks’ introductions so that Alexander’s papers and speeches are established in their context. Together, the immediacy of Sadie T.M. Alexander’s words and Nina Banks’ insightful commentary make this a valuable contribution to current debate on democracy and voting rights in America.
April 16, 2025
Sadie T. M. Alexander was the first African American to earn a PhD in Economics. Unable to get a job at a university because they wouldn't hire Blacks, and unable to get hired at a Historically Black University, because they wouldn't hire women, Alexander went back to graduate school and earned a J.D. Along with her husband, she opened a law practice, helped write anti-discrimination legislation for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in the 1930's. Later, she joined Truman's first civil rights commissions at the federal level.
It was long thought that her only economic writing was in her original dissertation. However, Nina Banks, the editor, went through her papers finding a book full of speeches and writings full of economic data, analysis, and thoughts.
It was a great read. A large portion of African Americans who moved north during the WWI diaspora settled in Philadelphia. She writes essays on how to achieve greater economic progress. Hard work, education, and learning business are key. She advocates for affirmative action, and involvement. Passivity won't do it. She's critical of the New Deal, which explicitly carved out labor protection exemptions for industries heavily employed by Blacks, such as tenant farmers and house servants. “It is clear that in his years of planning for Social Security of the common man, Mr. Roosevelt never had in mind the security of the American Negro.”
In 1945, her speech, "The Role of the Negro Women in the Economic Life of the Post-War South" notes that "War does not wait upon the normal processes of evolution upon which we Negroes are always cautioned to wait. The demands for materials to fight this war could not be met by white hands only, nor by the hands of male workers only. Our national employment habits had to be disregarded in order to make America the Arsenal of Democracy." "All our national and world problems stem from unemployment."
I also enjoyed her comments on female labor force participation. In the 19th century, it was common for women to work in the market place. But as industry and wealth grew, the middle class house wife was born. But only for white women. Alexander notes that Black women always worked. The moralization of the question of women's work, only arose later, and due to the racial split in who worked, the moral rhetoric became racialized.
“A woman who has tasted economic independence is slow to accept economic dependence.” In her speech "A Demand for Women as Executive Officers of the Church" (1928), "Our women have been forced to raise the bulk of the money, the expenditure of which the men have directed. ... If the church is going to compete successfully, it must utilize all its forces. .. Women shall find other institutions."
And there's a whole lot more. Great book. Highly recommend.
It was long thought that her only economic writing was in her original dissertation. However, Nina Banks, the editor, went through her papers finding a book full of speeches and writings full of economic data, analysis, and thoughts.
It was a great read. A large portion of African Americans who moved north during the WWI diaspora settled in Philadelphia. She writes essays on how to achieve greater economic progress. Hard work, education, and learning business are key. She advocates for affirmative action, and involvement. Passivity won't do it. She's critical of the New Deal, which explicitly carved out labor protection exemptions for industries heavily employed by Blacks, such as tenant farmers and house servants. “It is clear that in his years of planning for Social Security of the common man, Mr. Roosevelt never had in mind the security of the American Negro.”
In 1945, her speech, "The Role of the Negro Women in the Economic Life of the Post-War South" notes that "War does not wait upon the normal processes of evolution upon which we Negroes are always cautioned to wait. The demands for materials to fight this war could not be met by white hands only, nor by the hands of male workers only. Our national employment habits had to be disregarded in order to make America the Arsenal of Democracy." "All our national and world problems stem from unemployment."
I also enjoyed her comments on female labor force participation. In the 19th century, it was common for women to work in the market place. But as industry and wealth grew, the middle class house wife was born. But only for white women. Alexander notes that Black women always worked. The moralization of the question of women's work, only arose later, and due to the racial split in who worked, the moral rhetoric became racialized.
“A woman who has tasted economic independence is slow to accept economic dependence.” In her speech "A Demand for Women as Executive Officers of the Church" (1928), "Our women have been forced to raise the bulk of the money, the expenditure of which the men have directed. ... If the church is going to compete successfully, it must utilize all its forces. .. Women shall find other institutions."
And there's a whole lot more. Great book. Highly recommend.
December 19, 2021
I have never heard of this woman until I saw this book and requested it. The book gave details about not only her personal life, but her professional one as well, and some of the barriers she was faced with. This piece of work is great for anyone who is an extreme history buff, and especially those that are interested in history featuring African Americans. Not only was it inspiring to read about her personal life, her speeches were also included as well, which made the book that more interesting.
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September 25, 2022Books like this are difficult to rate with stars. I can say that I connected with Alexander on a human level as she expressed her desire and longing for a more just world. In addition to her focus on racial injustice through an economic lens, I also appreciated her writings on the change of culture following WWI and WWII. I recently read another book that picked up the same theme of how the family-centric American culture became a major casualty of those wars. War cannot be contained to a battlefield.
January 12, 2022
If you’re someone interested in political economy, the policy ideas or sociological analyses presented in this book might not be anything new. However, the mere fact that they were presented nearly a century ago and remain so accurate today is a story in itself. Alexander was clearly a gifted orator, perfectly intertwining her brilliance with social skills that ensured her message could be comprehended by the masses. Aside from To Secure These Rights, I knew nothing of Sadie Alexander. I’m glad that I now know so much more about this trailblazer of an economist, lawyer, and citizen.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews