A Review of Hoffman's Race Traits and Tendencies of the American Negro The American Negro Academy. Occasional Papers No. 1

by Kelly Miller

"A Review of Hoffman's Race Traits and Tendencies of the American Negro" by Kelly Miller is a scientific review published in the late 19th century, specifically in 1897. It critically examines Frederick L. Hoffman's work on the American Negro, focusing on race traits and their supposed tendencies towards physical and moral deterioration. The book addresses significant socio-economic topics within the context of race relations in America during this period. In this review, Miller contests Hoffman's conclusions that the decline of the Negro population is primarily due to inherent racial traits rather than environmental factors. He argues that Hoffman's statistical interpretations are flawed and fail to consider the impact of social circumstances, such as poverty, lack of medical care, and systemic racism. Miller supports his claims by providing counter-evidence and suggesting that the observed decline in the Negro population may be more closely related to socio-economic conditions than to biological determinism. He emphasizes the resilience and progress of the Negro community, advocating for the importance of improving living conditions rather than succumbing to fatalistic theories regarding race.