The Third Reconstruction

In The Third Reconstruction, historian Peniel E. Joseph presents a compelling interpretation of recent American history, asserting that the events since 2008 signify a pivotal Third Reconstruction. He contends that the racial reckoning of 2020 represents a vital struggle for Black citizenship and dignity, paralleling the historical movements following the Civil War and during the civil rights era. By linking the election of Barack Obama to the emergence of Black Lives Matter and significant political events, Joseph highlights the potential for this Third Reconstruction to fulfill the promises of equality and justice.