The Color of Fascism : Lawrence Dennis, Racial Passing, and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism in the United States

''I am almost certainly not alone in expressing surprise that Lawrence Dennis, the principal American intellectual fascist, was an African American who 'passed' for white. In the process of explaining Dennis's rise and how his secret minority status shaped his political extremism, Gerald Horne has researched and written a compelling and significant history of American fascism.'' —Kenneth Janken, author of __White: The Biography of Walter White, Mr. NAACP__ What does it mean that Lawrence Dennis—arguably the ''brains'' behind U.S. fascism—was born black but spent his entire adult life passing for white? Born in Atlanta in 1893, Dennis began life as a highly touted African American child preacher, touring nationally and arousing audiences with his dark-skinned mother as his escort. However, at some point between leaving prep school and entering Harvard University, he chose to abandon his family and his former life as an African American in order to pass for white. Dennis went on to work for the State Department and on Wall Street, and ultimately became the public face of U.S. fascism, meeting with Mussolini and other fascist leaders in Europe. He underwent trial for sedition during World War II, almost landing in prison, and ultimately became a Cold War critic before dying in obscurity in 1977. Based on extensive archival research, __The Color of Fascism__ blends biography, social history, and critical race theory to illuminate the fascinating life of this complex and enigmatic man. Gerald Horne links passing and fascism, the two main poles of Dennis's life, suggesting that Dennis's anger with the U.S. as a result of his upbringing in Jim Crow Georgia led him to alliances with the antagonists of the U.S. and that his personal isolation which resulted in his decision to pass dovetailed with his ultimate isolationism. Dennis's life is a lasting testament to the resilience of right-wing thought in the U.S. The first full-scale biographical portrait of this intriguing figure, __The Color of Fascism__ also limns the strange career of a prominent American who chose to pass. What Does It Mean That Lawrence Dennis - Arguably The Brains Behind U.s. Fascism - Was Born Black But Spent His Entire Adult Life Passing For White? Born In Atlanta In 1893, Dennis Began Life As A Highly Touted African American Child Preacher, Touring Nationally And Arousing Audiences With His Dark-skinned Mother As His Escort. However, At Some Point Between Leaving Prep School And Entering Harvard University, He Chose To Abandon His Family And His Former Life As An African American In Order To Pass For White. Dennis Went On To Work For The State Department And On Wall Street, And Ultimately Became The Public Face Of U.s. Fascism, Meeting With Mussolini And Other Fascist Leaders In Europe. He Underwent Trial For Sedition During World War Ii, Almost Landing In Prison, And Ultimately Became A Cold War Critic Before Dying In Obscurity In 1977. Based On Extensive Archival Research, The Color Of Fascism Blends Biography, Social History, And Critical Race Theory To Illuminate The Life Of This Complex And Enigmatic Man. Gerald Horne Links Passing And Fascism, The Two Main Poles Of Dennis's Life, Suggesting That Dennis's Anger With The U.s. As A Result Of His Upbringing In Jim Crow Georgia Led Him To Alliances With The Antagonists Of The U.s. And That His Personal Isolation Informed His Political Isolationism. Dennis's Life Is A Testament To The Resilience Of Right-wing Thought In The U.s. The First Full-scale Biographical Portrait Of This Figure, The Color Of Fascism Also Links The Strange Career Of A Prominent American Who Chose To Pass.--book Jacket. Introduction: More Than Passing Strange -- Passing Fancy? -- Passing Through -- Fascism -- The Face--of Fascism -- Fascism And Betrayal -- Approaching Disaster -- Framing A Guilty Man? -- Fascism On Trial -- A Trial On Trial -- After The Fall -- An Isolationist Isolated? -- Passing On. Gerald Horne. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 179-207) And Index. What does it mean that Lawrence Dennis—arguably the “brains” behind U.S. fascism—was born black but spent his entire adult life passing for white? Born in Atlanta in 1893, Dennis began life as a highly touted African American child preacher, touring nationally and arousing audiences with his dark-skinned mother as his escort. However, at some point between leaving prep school and entering Harvard University, he chose to abandon his family and his former life as an African American in order to pass for white. Dennis went on to work for the State Department and on Wall Street, and ultimately became the public face of U.S. fascism, meeting with Mussolini and other fascist leaders in Europe. He underwent trial for sedition during World War II, almost landing in prison, and ultimately became a Cold War critic before dying in obscurity in 1977. Based on extensive archival research, The Color of Fascism blends biography, social history, and critical race theory to illuminate the fascinating life of this complex and enigmatic man. Gerald Horne links passing and fascism, the two main poles of Dennis's life, suggesting that Dennis's anger with the U.S. as a result of his upbringing in Jim Crow Georgia led him to alliances with the antagonists of the U.S. and that his personal isolation which resulted in his decision to pass dovetailed with his ultimate isolationism. Dennis's life is a lasting testament to the resilience of right-wing thought in the U.S. The first full-scale biographical portrait of this intriguing figure, The Color of Fascism also links the strange career of a prominent American who chose to pass. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Introduction: More Than Passing Strange......Page 26 1 Passing Fancy?......Page 42 2 Passing Through......Page 56 3 Fascism......Page 69 4 The Face—of Fascism......Page 84 5 Fascism and Betrayal......Page 96 6 Approaching Disaster......Page 110 7 Framing a Guilty Man?......Page 123 8 Fascism on Trial......Page 137 9 A Trial on Trial......Page 151 10 After the Fall......Page 165 11 An Isolationist Isolated?......Page 181 12 Passing On......Page 196 Notes......Page 204 Index......Page 234 About the Author......Page 254 Introduction: More than passing strange Passing fancy? Passing through Fascism The face of fascism Fascism and betrayal Approaching disaster Framing a guilty man? Fascism on trial A trial on trial After the fall An isolationist isolated? Passing on.