The Invention of the White Race: The Origin of Racial Oppression in Anglo-America.

The Invention of the White Race by Theodore W. Allen is a critical examination of the concept of race, specifically investigating the social construct of "whiteness." Allen argues that the idea of a distinct "white race" emerged primarily during the 17th and 18th centuries as a means to justify and perpetuate systems of power, domination, and exploitation, particularly in the context of colonialism and slavery in the Americas.

The book explores the historical processes and political strategies employed by elites to create and maintain racial divides among people, particularly between European settlers and enslaved Africans. Allen contends that this invention served not only to justify oppression but also to unify disparate European ethnic groups under a common identity that distinguished them from others.

Through a comprehensive analysis of historical documents, legal cases, and societal changes, Allen illustrates how the concept of race has been manipulated to serve economic and political interests. This work challenges readers to reconsider the foundations of racial identity and the impact of systemic racism on society.

Overall, The Invention of the White Race is regarded as a significant contribution to the discourse on race, offering a thought-provoking critique of how racial classifications shape social dynamics and individual lives.