Jack Forbes Books

Jack D. Forbes's monumental Africans and Native Americans has become a canonical text in the study of relations between the two groups. Forbes explores key issues relating to the evolution of racial terminology and European colonialists' perceptions of color, analyzing the development of color classification systems and the specific evolution of key terms such as black, mulatto, and mestizo--terms that no longer carry their original meanings. Forbes also presents strong evidence that Native American and African contacts began in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.

The book explores the tension between government or employer regulations and individual natural law rights, specifically focusing on privacy and liberty. It delves into the legal and ethical implications of enforcing rules that may infringe upon these fundamental rights, prompting readers to consider the balance between societal order and personal freedoms. Through analysis and case studies, it raises critical questions about the legitimacy of such practices in a democratic society.

In these short stories, Jack Forbes captures the remarkable breadth and variety of American Indian life. Drawing on his skills as scholar and native activist, and, above all, as artist, Forbes enlarges our sense of how American Indians experience themselves and the world around them.