Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

rpannier

(24,579 posts)
17. My reply to a previous post
Mon May 4, 2015, 01:06 AM
May 2015

He had rather low opinions of Japanese, Chinese and especially Koreans
I've seen in several articles where he was a social Darwinist as well

He was an excellent author. I like his novels.
It doesn't make his contributions any less significant - his essays/articles on the conditions of London are must reads to understand just how bad things were. And they did spur people in the US to action against similar conditions in the US

So, like most people, he was a mixed bag. His racism was part of him

addition:
No one we look to is ever perfect.
I've seen articles where LBJ was a bit of a racist and Robert Byrd was a Klansman at one point
People are often complicated and finding the proverbial 'Knight in Shining Armor' is difficult, nay impossible
London's essays, articles and most of his novels are excellent and important works.
But, he was also a racist. I have seen nothing that said he was a violent Klansman or attacked Asians physically
But I've heard that he did support preventing people from Japan, China, Korea, etc from coming to the US

On edit. I don't think he deserves the same recognition asthe 10 you posted
But his contributions were important

K&R..... daleanime May 2015 #1
Great group of people. But, I am not surprised by the list. blm May 2015 #2
Does no one remember Jack London? Downwinder May 2015 #3
Yes! Cheese Sandwich May 2015 #4
Now I can Rec. Downwinder May 2015 #5
LOL ok Cheese Sandwich May 2015 #6
you should all read the Iron Heel Doctor_J May 2015 #7
e-book free Downwinder May 2015 #8
Well, Jack London's socialism was unfortunately compromised Ken Burch May 2015 #9
Yes, I do rpannier May 2015 #10
Really! Time to get with the program for me. babylonsister May 2015 #12
London was anti-Asian rpannier May 2015 #16
My dad is/was pretty racist. babylonsister May 2015 #18
First I've heard of that! Cheese Sandwich May 2015 #15
My reply to a previous post rpannier May 2015 #17
A government where the citizenry has the power to determine it's fate. chknltl May 2015 #11
And Huey Long. enlightenment May 2015 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author Cheese Sandwich May 2015 #14
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Socialist Progressives»10 Surprising People Who ...»Reply #17