"The Magnum Opus of a Truly Exceptional Career": Celebrating the Publication of Dr. Michael Blakey's 'The Blinding Light of Race: Race and Racism in Western Science and Society'

On September 17th, an audience gathered in the Wren Chapel to celebrate the publication of Professor Michael Blakey’s three-volume book series The Blinding Light of Race: Race and Racism in Western Science and Society. Described as the “magnum opus of a truly exceptional career” by Professor Mark Anderson (UC Santa Cruz), the volumes chart the scientific and social origins of White supremacy embedded within Christian chauvinism and set against the backdrop of European colonialism and American slavery. Spanning a range of topics, including social Darwinism, eugenics, Jim Crow, the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, and affirmative action, the series weaves Dr. Blakey’s personal story and experiences and seeks, as he stated at the event, to “end White supremacy.”

The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Dean Suzanne Rait (College of Arts & Sciences) and an enthralling roundtable discussion followed. The conversation was moderated by the Director of the Institute for Historical Biological, Professor Joe Jones (Anthropology), and Professor Michael Blakey was joined by colleagues Mark Anderson, Professor of Anthropology at UC Santa Cruz and Michael Gomez, Professor of History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and Director of NYU’s Center for the Study of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Recognized as “an exemplar of the scholar-activist tradition” by Professor Michael Gomez, the discussion spotlighted Dr. Blakey’s pioneering work at the New York African Burial Ground. The discussion closed with Dr. Blakey’s final remarks, poignantly reminding us of the enslaved individuals who once labored and slept in the very building where we were gathered. Attendees exited the Wren Chapel to "Tomorrow (Sadio)" by Salif Keita and a reception followed in the Great Hall of the Wren Building.

Congratulations, Dr. Blakey, on the publication of The Blinding Light of Race from all of us in the Anthropology department.

Copies are available for purchase HERE

This event was sponsored by Africana Studies, American Studies and Anthropology with generous support from the College of Arts & Sciences.