Eddie S. Glaude Jr. - Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul

I have been undeservedly lucky to have the most amazing colleagues in the world. The faculty in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton is thoughtful, committed, and decent. Without them this book could not have been written. I am especially grateful to Imani Perry. The mistakes in this book are my own, but any insight was shaped and nurtured in my ongoing conversations with her. She read draft after draft and offered amazing feedback and encouragement. Naomi Murakawa read two decidedly different versions of the book. She pushed me, in her own gentle way, to be bolder. I have tried to follow her lead. Keeanga Yahmatta-Taylor also pushed me. She read two drafts and offered detailed commentary on each chapter. Her comments and criticisms guided me as I revised the manuscript. And Wendy Belcher, the master of all things, suggested the subtitle for the book.

I also want to thank my amazing research assistant, Matthew Claiborne. He found many of the people who populate this book. His work and care enabled their voices to be heard. I pray that I havent gotten in the way.

A number of others were kind enough to read some version of the book or offered comments on a chapter: Kinohi Nishikawa, Stacey Sinclair, Ruha Benjamin, Joshua Guild, Michael Hanchard, Terrence Keel, Mayra Rivera, Daria Rothmayer, Daniel May, Kijan Maxam, Kevin Wolfe, Melvin Rogers, Jamal Calloway, Mark Jefferson, and Clifton Granby. Their comments and support helped me through some rough patches. Thanks also to the staff in African American Studies. April Peters, Dionne Worthy, Allison Bland, and Elio L. Lleo gave me the space to write and ensured that no administrative balls were dropped in the interim.

Thanks to my wife, Winnifred Brown-Glaude, for enduring my absences as I struggled with my ideas and with the writing. It is truly a gift to be wrapped in unconditional love as youre working. Her encouragement was boundlessas was her patience. Knowing when to give me space and when to force me to step away from the computer helped keep me sane throughout all of this. I am especially grateful to my son, Langston Glaude. While I was working on this book, he left for college. And I have been able to witness his transformation. He has always been amazing. What else could your only child be? But he has grown into a person deeply concerned about matters of justice. As his godfather would say, he is full of prophetic fire! And he inspires me daily.

Big shout-out to my golfing partners as well: Charlie Upshur, Larry Upshur, and Bob Langley. They insisted that I keep my feet firmly planted on the ground as I worked on this book (and relentlessly criticized my golf game).

I owe an enormous debt to my agent, Will Lippincott. He saw something in me and understood my aspirations. When we first met, I had no idea about how kind, thoughtful, and courageous he was. But that has become perfectly clear. I couldnt imagine having anyone else advocating for me and my vision of what it means to be a black intellectual in these dark times.

This book would not be what it is without the extraordinary care and attention given to it by the production team at Crownespecially Claire Potter and my editor, Kevin Doughten. I dont know how Kevin does it all. But he is an amazing editor. He taught me how to write this book. And, in this sense, the book is as much his as it is mine. I am thankful for his continued faith in me.