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In this book Adams sets out to look into the ‘raciality’ of the unconscious — to determine the nature of the racial contents of the unconscious and how they affect our conscious attitudes to others of different race and culture. He studies this problem in depth from a philosophical/metaphysical, historical/anthropological and clinical point of view.
Most of the experiences of the author — both personal and clinical — are set in the American context, and I had doubts that this book would be helpful to me living in Europe. But, on the contrary, I found it challenging to a degree that surprised me, as well as stimulating and thought-provoking in a manner that was both uncomfortable and enjoyable.
The general ideas that he uses in relation to race, ethnic background and colour can be applied to any situation in the world where these types of conflict occur. I found myself thinking of the ethnic and race problems in this country, of the struggle in Serbia and Croatia, and indeed of the conflict between the religious groups in Northern Ireland.
Adams explores the historical development of the relationship between the black and white community in America. He also discusses the white man's arrival in Africa and how he related to the population in that continent. He looks from every angle at the white man's fear (including Jung's) of ‘going black’ — of living in his instincts — and how he does everything possible to stop this happening. The result has been that the black man is seen as the carrier of all the ‘shadow’ qualities of the white man and so is experienced as inferior to the white man, especially those from Europe. It was the colonial/imperialist explorers from Europe who, on discovering the black man, saw his way of life as representative of an earlier and lower state which they had long since surpassed, and had no wish to return to. He uses the ideas of Hillman, who says that the archetypal problem with whiteness is its own unconsciousness, which prevents it from