A self-professed Socialist and advocate for social change and human rights, London is probably best know for being - arguably - the first American story writer (i.e. not a journalist) to both become very rich and gain international fame within his lifetime because of his writing.
For a man who had so much to say about human rights, there has been some controversy, especially in some literary circles more than others, regarding alleged racism and racist views expressed in London's writings. Some people go so far as to call London a full-fledged racist, arguing that his works portray an "Aryan Nation", "White-Man-On-Top" type of view of the world. Others argue that some select works may portray this view in certain places/through the eyes of certain characters in the work as a part of the work itself, not necessarily as London's personal views. Still, other literary critics do not deal with the issue at all.
As for my personal views on the matter - not to excuse any alleged racism on the part of London, if indeed there was any - I believe we have to look at the era within which London lived and composed his works. At the turn of the 19th Century, there was much more overt racism in the United States - indeed, in the world at large - than there is today (and, sadly, there is still plenty of racism around today in the U.S. and all over the world). My only point is, there may be instances in London's writings where he may express - or, more correctly, appear to some to express - racist views without even consciously realizing it. Again, I am not trying to use this as an excuse to defend or justify racism in London's writings, if indeed it does actually exist. All I am saying is that, while London did speak out on many human rights issues and was a sort of pioneer in his time in this regard, I wouldn't be surprised if he was also, as everyone is to some degree, a "product of his generation" with some aspects of his life. If everyone around you thinks one way, how would you ever learn to think differently? Generally with baby steps - a little bit here, a little bit there.
Take a peek at the links below to explore the extensive London collection (both physical and electronic) maintained by Sonoma State University.
Jack London: Links
Jack London Collection (physical items) at Sonoma State University
Jack London in Context Collection (physical items) at Sonoma State University
Was he really just a racist b@stard?
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