This copy of New Progress of a Race is of modest, portable dimensions: when closed, the length of the cover is 8.5 inches and the width is 6.5 inches. The front and back covers are a dull, burnt orange color, with the spine discolored to the point that lines are apparent (Fig. 1, 2). The surfacing of the lines is a major clue to this book’s cover and spine having been made with the plain weave canvas technique. There are minuscule notches on the top and bottom of the spine binding, indicative of the individual page groupings of the sewing-through-the-fold construction method (Fig. 3). Along with the cover title, the title and lines on the top and bottom of the spine have been stamped on with black ink (Fig. 1, 2). The wear suggests that this book is used. The spine is damaged from it being repeatedly pulled off of a shelf. We know this from the small tears in the canvas at the top of the spine (Fig. 4). The binding is wearing out and pages are loose.  The canvas cover has worn off of the corners. Overall, these simple methods of construction and ornament––as opposed to options like leather binding, gilded cover, or expensive paper––demonstrate that this book was published economically and without stylistic frivolities.

This book is not very famous today. At the time it was published, it got positive reviews. [1] It was also published in several editions and with new authors. This book is a part of a larger genre of stories about progress. There was a push by black thinkers to bring African American history into the spotlight. People were trying to navigate a racist society that doubted their ability. William Henry Crogman was involved in the trend of the “uplift” narrative. These histories glorified the accomplishments of African Americans and explained how they had progressed in society. The use of statistics was becoming popular around the time he contributed to this book. He believed that statistics could help to prove social phenomena. In this case, he hoped to prove the worth and ability of African Americans. This is clear with the statistics that are included in the book (Fig. 5, 6). 

In America in the post-reconstruction era, there were many strong and harmful ideas about the inferiority of African Americans. Black intellectuals fought against these stories with progress narratives. These stories tried to prove the worth of African Americans in society. These uplift narratives also created a historical record. Progress of a Race does exactly this as one contribution to this genre. The book generalizes what African Americans believe or do. This creates an argument against racist ideas and combats the idea of African Americans as a “retrogressive race.” [2] It also educates on a history that has been hidden or ignored. It is both an argument and a history that forms a counternarrative.

Across each edition of Progress of a Race––including this copy from 1929––the one person who remains credited as a major author is William H. Crogman. Like most of the work’s other authors, Crogman was a notable professor at an institution we would now call a historically black college or university. At the start of the 20th century, philosophies for educational improvement of black Americans were dominated by Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. Crogman and this book are then situated between these philosophical opposites, proposing the importance of vocational and intellectual education opportunities in order to achieve true liberation. We can recognize this book as a more moderate contribution to the larger debate taking place at the time. 

These stories are counter narratives to the narratives of racial inferiority. They argued against the perception of African Americans as a “retrogressive” race. This book instead argues that the race is equally as capable. The racial progress narrative has a very specific take on the role of race and gender in society. Challenging racist ideology was done by cataloging mostly male achievements, which Progress of a Race demonstrates. It is not necessary to read against the grain to discover something about race in this period. The authors intended for this to be a counternarrative that amplifies the history and achievements of African Americans.