Book Review: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future by Robert P. Jones

Dina Gilio-Whitaker

Abstract

This review of Robert P. Jones’ 2023 book, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future, examines Jones’ analytical approach to the origins of white Christian supremacy in the U.S. Jones’ work resonates deeply with the current Trumpian moment of white conservative backlash and anti-Blackness, tracing the roots of institutionalized racism to the early Atlantic slave trade. A key point is his discussion of the Doctrine of Discovery (DoD)—a papal verdict that enshrined the dispossession of Indigenous land into Indian law. However, the author raises concerns about portraying the DoD as a race-based phenomenon,
arguing that this characterization obscures critical distinctions between white supremacy and settler colonialism. As such, the right to self-determination under tribal law merits further discussion, particularly as Indian nationhood faces increasing endangerment under current U.S. authorities.