An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States

By: Kyle T. Mays

Narrated by: Shaun Taylor-Corbett

The first intersectional history of the Black and Native American struggle for freedom in our country that also reframes our understanding of who was Indigenous in early America

Beginning with pre-Revolutionary America and moving into the movement for Black lives and contemporary Indigenous activism, Afro-Indigenous historian Kyle T. Mays argues that the foundations of the US are rooted in antiblackness and settler colonialism, and that these parallel oppressions continue into the present. He explores how Black and Indigenous peoples have always resisted and struggled for freedom, sometimes together, and sometimes apart. Whether to end African enslavement and Indigenous removal or eradicate capitalism and colonialism, Mays show how the fervor of Black and Indigenous peoples calls for justice have consistently sought to uproot white supremacy.

Mays uses a wide-array of historical activists and pop culture icons, “sacred” texts, and foundational texts like the Declaration of Independence and Democracy in America. He covers the civil rights movement and freedom struggles of the 1960s and 1970s, and explores current debates around the use of Native American imagery and the cultural appropriation of Black culture. Mays compels us to rethink both our history as well as contemporary debates and to imagine the powerful possibilities of Afro-Indigenous solidarity.

Excellent Historical Overview

Great historical overview. The author has lived experience being Black and Indigenous and combines histories in an understandable and useful way.

Fascinating

Too many amazing things to list!! it’s a must read and should be part of US history courses.

Great introduction, but the argument meandered and perpetuated the same thing the author found fault with

Very good primer to Black and Native American struggles and while exploring solidarity.

In the spirit of today’s cancel culture and making gods out of all public figures by expecting them to appeal to everyone at the same time. For example, during his analysis of Malcom X.

Also for someone who explores intersectionality and Native American erasure, he also perpetuated Afro-Latinx erasure (Desus and Mero).

Awesome Listen

This book was amazing. It covers so much from author. He is on point! The relationship between indigenous peoples is deep and rich and when the two are united it is more powerful than anyone can imagine. I love this author. And, the reader was outstanding.

Must read & should be taught

An essential read! It centers African & Indigenous ppls, with a critical anti-imperialist, internationalist, analysis of US history, "democracy," & racial capitalism. It cuts through neo liberal fantasy, uncovers intertwined histories, & plans for liberation.

Thought Provoking Work

I appreciate the review of Afro-Indigenous history. I learned a lot and have to further research my own history.

More opinion than history

I’ve listened to all of the books in this series and was very interested in this one. Then I started listening…it seems like it was less about the story of the people and more of the authors opinion that every one is a racist. I love it when people put all people of one color/religion/race in a basket and judge them as a whole. Some parts of the book were very informative and well written and other parts cringy. With that being said I would still highly recommend listening to this book. It is a very good insight and has an abundance of references for further study. I did find it odd, I could be wrong but this is read by a white guy???