This work charts the journey of African Americans from their origins in the civilizations of Africa, through slavery in the Western Hemisphere, to their struggle for freedom in the West Indies, Latin America and the United States. Topics covered include the dilemma of reconciliation between theory and practice in matters of race; popular culture in the period between World War I and World War II; and the 1992 election, including discussion of the largest African-American voter turnout in history, largest number of African Americans elected to congress, and the most African Americans ever appointed to cabinet positions.