The Equality of the Human Races

by Anténor Firmin

Antenor Firmin's "Equality of Human Races" is a pioneering work of early anthropology written in French by a Haitian who is probably anthropology's first scholar of African descent. Firmin published "De l' galit des Races Humaines " in Paris in 1885 twenty years after the 'Father of Racism, ' Count Arthur de Gobineau, published "Essai sur l'in galiti des Races Humaines." De Gobineau's racist tome was translated into several languages and influenced Nazi ideology, while Firmin's work became obscure and marginal in the anthropological and scientific communities it sought to affect.
"Equality of Human Races " is far more than a response to de Gobineau. It is a substantial work of early anthropology that presaged in the 19th century most of what became accepted anthropological science about race in the 20th century. It is also an early work of Pan-Africanism that highlighted the civilizational achievements of African cultures, from ancient Egypt and the Nile Valley countries of Sudan and Ethiopia, to the first 'Black' Republic of Haiti, as evidence of the fundamental equality of African peoples.
One hundred and fourteen years later, this is the first appearance in English of Firmin's trailblazing work in Anthropology and Pan-Africanist thought.

Genres: Anthropology, History

520 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1885

Reviews

[Jherane Patmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this in 2017 it's easy to take a lot of Firmin's ideas for granted. At the time this was written, he was one of the few 'learned men' to have these ideas of equality among races. This doesn't mean his work is outdated (far from!). 130+ years later there are quite a few questions he poses that we still need to ask ourselves. Brilliant and brave piece of literature. It's unfortunate that this Haitian scholar isn't more widely read.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece. Should be on everyone’s reading list. Firmin has become one of my favorite anthropologists.