UBUNTU, George M. Houser and the struggle for peace and freedom on two continents

361pp., illus., paperback, Reprint, Athens, (2020) 2021

American civil rights activist and pacifist minister George M. Houser (1916–2015) cofounded and led the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He played an important role in pan-Africanist anti-colonial movements, including the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

“Sheila D. Collins, one of the most prolific - and progressive - authors of her generation, has just gifted us with her latest work, a biography of the anti-apartheid activist George Houser. Deftly written and passionately argued, this is the definitive account of one of the most important US activists of the latter part of the twentieth century.” Gerald Horne, Moores Professor of History and African American Studies, University of Houston

“George Houser spent his life acting for and with people whose voices had been muted by oppression. He challenged unjust wars, racial segregation in the United States, and colonialism across the globe and, especially, in Africa. For me he will be best be remembered for fighting apartheid. I was lucky to join him in the latter years of the struggle and to stand together on the steps of the Union Buildings in Pretoria at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration ... His story has been brilliantly told by Sheila Collins and is a must read for anyone seeking inspiration that anything and everything is possible.” Richard Lapchick, Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport and President of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice

Sheila Collins is Professor Emerita of Political Science at William Paterson University. She is the author or co-author of seven books, including Let Them Eat Ketchup! The politics of poverty and inequality (1996).