Herman L. Bennett delves into the history of African influence within colonial Mexico. His work examines how African identity and consciousness were shaped by the forces of Spanish absolutism and Christianity. Bennett deeply explores the complex interactions between diverse cultures that forged Afro-Creole society. His research illuminates the essence of colonial blackness, contributing to a richer understanding of the African diaspora.
Through an examination of early modern African-European encounters, African Kings and Black Slaves offers a reappraisal of the dominant depiction of these exchanges as simple economic transactions: rather, according to Herman L. Bennett, they involved clashing understandings of diplomacy, sovereignty, and politics.