I was sorry to see in early January that Julius Lester, an emeritus professor at U.Mass Amherst where he had taught for more than three decades, posted on facebook that he was having increasing health issues and that he was suspending posting. I was hopeful that he'd be back with us soon; I so much enjoyed his posts about language, culture, and his photographs of the Jim Crow south. Alas, I am very sorry to hear that Dr. Lester has passed away. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but was a close student of his work. Years ago when I was first starting to work on Black Power I was delighted to read Look Out Whitey! Black Power Gon' Get Your Mama. It has such a catchy title, but do not be fooled by the title -- it's a serious if short review of the ideas of black power. He framed one of the key tenets of critical race theory that white people would do nothing that is not in their interest. And while, obviously, generations of scholars have added nuance to that position, that thesis can always start a good discussion about legal history. It's a book I often return to for insight into key tenets of Black Power. And I felt vindicated when some years ago when I was asking David Garrow for some help on Black Power he said he thought Look Out Whitey is a great resource! Dr. Lester's family and many friends are in my thoughts.
Update: The New York Times has a lengthy obituary, which details Lester's activism, conflicts with scholars, and his journey to Judaism.
Very sad to see this. Julius was an iconoclastic and courageous voice, and should be much better known & remembered in the present day than I fear is the case....
Posted by: Dave Garrow | January 19, 2018 at 10:58 AM