Black Anglo-Saxons

The Black Anglo-Saxons (originally published 1965) is Hare’s seminal work that explores the complexities of class and identity within the African American community. Hare critiques the assimilationist tendencies of the Black middle class, whom he terms “Black Anglo-Saxons,” for adopting values and behaviors of white Anglo-Saxon society. He argues that this group often distances itself from the broader Black community and its struggles. The book is a critical analysis of social stratification and the psychological impacts of racism, examining how internalized oppression and the desire for acceptance in mainstream society affect African Americans' collective identity and unity. Hare’s work remains influential for its incisive examination of class dynamics and its call for solidarity and cultural pride within the Black community.