Race and the Colour-Line

‘Taking its cue from W. E. B. DuBois’ prophetic remark that ‘The problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color line’, Bolaji Balogun explores how religion, nationalism, colonialism and an obsession with the nation-state had shaped the self-identification and the racialised positionality of modern Poles as white. Race and the Colour-line is a much needed book, which recovers the hitherto neglected histories of race and eugenics, while skillfully demonstrating how the racialization of Black people intersects the color line across the ideological boundaries of Europeanness in Poland. It should become mandatory reading for all those who want to understand the intricate relation between the construction of race and whiteness in East-Central Europe and beyond.’ - Marius Turda, Professor in 20th Century Central and Eastern European Biomedicine, Oxford Brookes University, UK ‘Race and the Colour-line sets the agenda for future research on race and racisms in Central and Eastern Europe. Through the combination of ethnographic and archival research, it locates the present-day production of race and racisms in Poland within longer global histories of race and colonialism and their local manifestation. In this way, Bolaji Balogun demystifies race and racism in Poland and shows why this matters for making sense of the lived experiences of people of colour living within its borders.’ - Michaela Benson, Professor in Public Sociology, Lancaster University, UK ‘Race and the Colour-Line is a ground-breaking book that challenges conventional wisdom and reshapes our understanding of race, colonialism and nationalism in Poland and in Central and Eastern Europe. Through meticulous research and powerful theoretical insights, this remarkable book uncovers hidden realities and provides a critical examination of the global nature of racism, offering a fresh perspective that questions the notion of Poland being free from racism and imperialism. By exploring the specific manifestations of racism in Poland and shedding light on the often overlooked experiences of Black people in the region, the book disrupts established beliefs and calls for a re-evaluation of our perspectives. This extraordinary work boldly navigates the complexities of race, colonialism, and the misconceptions surrounding Poland, compelling readers to critically engage with the global reality of race and racism.’ - Krzysztof Jaskułowski, Professor of Sociology, SWPS University, Poland