Published in 1885 in Paris, De l'égalité des races humaines is a plea in favor of the black race, a response to the essay De l'inégalité des races humaines by Joseph Arthur de Gobineau. Anténor Firmin wanted to combat de Gobineau's racist theses with this combative book that brings great scientific rigor to the Pan-African movement. Positioning himself against pseudo-scientists, Firmin defines a critical, social and cultural anthropology. He reevaluates the essential role of African cultures in the history of civilization, from the Egyptians to the first black Republic of Haiti.

The author asserts his certainties on the equality of men and opens new avenues (voices) for reflection on the black condition. On the equality of human races is a must for understanding racism and the stereotypes that circulate in our modern societies.

It cannot be stressed enough that Firmin confronts with De l'égalité the scientists of the whole world, the United States because of its multiracial composition has a flourishing school of scientific segregationists. Because the heart of the problem consists in telling the Blacks: ''Men are not equal, races are not equal. The Negro, for example, is made to serve the great things desired and conceived by the White. '' And Firmin said NO, in the name of the sons of Toussaint Louverture, in the name of all the negrophiles...

Jean, Métellus, extract from the preface

On the Equality of Human Races remains to this day the most complete response to the racist and pseudo-scientific theses of Count de Gobineau. Anténor Firmin's book has its roots in the most important revolution of the 19th century: the one that led to the independence of Haiti and, in its wake, the abolition of slavery throughout the American continent. This work, like the Haitian revolution, has undeniably contributed to the evolution of humanist thought.

Louis-Philippe Dalembert

Anténor Firmin was one of the first in the 19th century to indicate the limits of the Enlightenment project by responding to Arthur de Gobineau with the affirmation On the Equality of Human Races . This book is a must-read.

Yanick Lahens

Anténor Firmin, born in Haiti in 1850, is a lawyer. He founded the Liberal Party. Diplomat in Paris in 1883, member of the Anthropological Society of Paris, he participated in the debates on the division of the human species into superior and inferior races. Hence his contribution: On the equality of human races. He returned to Haiti in 1888 where he played a political role of great importance. Minister of Finance, candidate for the presidency, he was forced into exile until his death in 1911.