SETTLERS: THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE WHITE PROLETARIAT FROM MAYFLOWER TO MODERN - J. SAKAI

I basically got this one on title alone. Actually, it’s original title, MYTHOLOGY OF THE WHITE PROLETARIAT: A SHORT COURSE IN UNDERSTANDING BABYLON is even better. A short course in understanding Babylon is such a wonderful subtitle, it was a real mistake to drop it. Irregardless, beyond the title, this book offers a clarity and series of insights that are very useful. Race in the USA has always been tricky to talk about and explain. This situation, if anything, has gotten slightly worse recently where the most recent crop of “anti-racist” books don’t offer non-mystifying explanations, don’t explore the connection between capitalism and racism (especially in Amerika) and don’t offer solutions that will actual build a world that we want to live in. My partner is being asked to read WHITE FRAGILITY for her job, she’s a public school teacher, which I believe I”ll read soon to get more into this critique. However SETTLERS does not suffer this problem. The book is very clear about causes, effects and solutions. I’m not familiar with J. Sakai, though I gather from this book that he’s a committed Maoist/Leninist, given how frequently he points out the need for a revolutionary vanguard party. His basic thesis is that Amerikan YTs are so deeply invested in YT supremacy and colonialism that they, despite their economic reality, don’t consider themselves proles and don’t act like it. This is basically that line about all Amerikans being temporarily embarrassed millionaires pushed into book form. Likewise, and more provocatively, minorities (including Black Amerikans) are allowed advancement and some of the spoils of Amerika only when they internalize settler values and eschew a global proletariat mindset. I found this part pretty intuitive and don’t need much convincing that Amerika is a racist empire. I was fascinated by his recounting of the causes of the Civil War and the choices made afterwards. I’ve never understood what the abolitionist plan was immediately after the war, and Sakai does a good job illuminating this period. Additionally, as someone who’s pretty pro-IWW it was interesting to read his take-down. Most provocatively, Sakai chides the IWW for not linking up with Zapata and Villa, who’s peaks of power corresponded to their’s. I’d never even considered that, which I suppose proves I have a Settler’s mindset. Overall, I would recommend this to people who aren’t super familiar with Amerkian history. It mostly covers familiar grounds but does have some fresh analysis. I wish it was being brought up more in our current “anti-racism reading list” era. 1911 Settlers.