Greenwood African Americans and the Presidents: Politics and Policies from Washington to Trump

The president is arguably the most recognized and powerful individual in the United States. This reference work explores the American presidency in relation to issues of race concerning the African American community. This work provides a contemporary and refreshing examination of the American presidency through the prism of race and race relations in America, revealing a long and complicated relationship between the U.S. presidency and the African American community. The book evaluates each of the forty-five American presidents' policies, cabinet appointments, and handling of race matters in the United States. Following an extensive timeline, chronological chapters take an incisive look at each American president's life and career as well as the policies enacted during his presidency that affected the African American community. The presidents' personal writings, memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies frame their views on the issue of race and how they dealt with it before, during, and after their presidency. Includes a timeline that lists the name, party, term of office, and political background of each president Presents chronological sections to provide a broad overview of each period Offers chapters that address each of the forty-five American presidents' policies, cabinet appointments, and handling of race matters in the United States Review "By taking the single issue of African American relations and viewing it through the lens of the policies of every single American president, this work presents a new approach to studying race in the United States." - Booklist Online "Certainly not the final word on the historical significance of presidents and their relationships with African Americans, this is an effective overview, with excellent supporting documentation." - Library Journal About the Author F. Erik Brooks, PhD, is dean of humanities and social sciences and director of the Whitney Young Honors Collegium at Kentucky State University. Glenn L. Starks, PhD, holds a doctorate in public policy and administration from Virginia Commonwealth University's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.