Half a Man: The Status of the Negro in New York

Published in the early 20th century, 'Half a Man: The Status of the Negro in New York' by Mary White Ovington provides a historical account of the social and economic conditions faced by African Americans in New York City. Ovington critiques the myth of equal opportunity for Negroes, highlighting persistent racism and systemic obstacles despite emancipation. The book begins with a poignant encounter that encapsulates the feeling of being 'half a man' in America and transitions into a thorough analysis of the status of Negroes from the colonial era to the early 1900s, addressing their struggles for equality and dignity.