New Books Network – Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: New Books (Sullivan Sommer)
Guest: Gloria Browne-Marshall
Episode Title: "A Protest History of the United States" (Beacon Press, 2026)
Date: December 8, 2025

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Emmy-winning writer, civil rights attorney, playwright, and professor of constitutional law, about her new book, A Protest History of the United States. The discussion explores the book’s interdisciplinary approach to the history of protest in America, from Indigenous resistance to contemporary climate action, aiming not just to inform but to inspire and empower readers to appreciate the legacy and ongoing necessity of protest.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins & Motivation for the Book

• Personal & Intellectual Journey: Browne-Marshall describes being influenced by both her own protest experiences and the story of an unknown Brooklyn activist who died penniless, reminding her that although protest may seem outdated, it remains vital.
  • “As I descended into myself in order to write it, I did different things than I would do with my ordinary research. … It then became a different book, one that was beyond the scope of just looking at protests, but trying to explain it to others and actually empower other people.” (03:07–05:49)
• Aim: The book is both an argument in favor of protest and a teaching tool, combining legal reasoning with personal and family history.

2. The Intended Reader

• Target Audience: Those skeptical about the effectiveness of protest, in particular people who regard protest as outdated or irrelevant in the 21st century.
  • “I envision the reader who is skeptical. … Here’s somebody who might have said to me, I don't believe protest matters anymore.” (07:38–08:50)
• Approach: Incorporates history, primary data, activism interviews, and her own experiences to reach a broad, non-specialist audience.

3. Rule of Law vs. Role of Law

• Key Distinction: Sheds light on the gap between the “rule of law” (the ideal of legal equality) and the “role of law” (the historical use of law to oppress marginalized groups).
  • “The rule of law was meant for the upper classes, that they would be protected by law and the rest of us would be harmed with impunity. … We had to protest our way into the Constitution.” (10:13–13:32)
• Current Relevance: Critiques how “rule of law” rhetoric is often used inconsistently, especially regarding law enforcement and accountability.

4. Structure & Interdisciplinary Approach

• Not Chronological: The book eschews strict chronology for a thematic and interdisciplinary approach, blending narrative, memoir, and scholarship.
  • “If you look at it that way, that's kind of like the structure of this book. … I decided I was going to create this interdisciplinary form.” (13:52–19:09)
• Accessibility: Designed for historians and general readers alike—no “bludgeoning” with academic prose.
  • “We should help them along the way as writers, meet them, many of them where they are, but also meet people halfway in some instances.” (17:51–19:09)

5. Rediscovering Overlooked Figures

• Highlighting Lesser-Known Activists: Intentionally surfaces both familiar and forgotten figures to illuminate the breadth of American protest.
  • “There are people who were well known in their time, who’ve been forgotten about in history, brought back.” (20:04–21:25)

6. Broadening the Definition of Protest

• Beyond Marching: The book reveals diverse forms of protest—petition, economic leverage, communication, legal challenges—across centuries.
  • “I just wanted people to understand the diversity that falls under the heading of protest.” (21:55–22:41)

Structured Chapter Walkthrough & Highlights

Chapter 1: Indigenous Resistance – Defense of Land, Life, and Culture

• Why Start Here: America’s protest history begins with Indigenous resistance, not the Pilgrims.
  • “Our country begins in 1607 with England landing its corporate enterprise…. The Mayflower is not the beginning of this nation.” (25:39–30:54)
• Key Figures: Chief Powhatan as the original protester; mentions of Richard Oakes and the occupation of Alcatraz.
• Notable Insight: Indigenous methods of protest—including economic refusal and diplomatic negotiation—mirror modern tactics.

Chapter 2: Slavery and African-American Protest – “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

• Core Theme: The ongoing quest for freedom, with Frederick Douglass as a central figure.
  • “Frederick Douglass…just amazing. Some people say that at certain times he was in newspapers more often than Abraham Lincoln.” (32:02–35:39)
• Hidden Contributors: Recognition of Douglass’s wife, Anna, in his escapes and fugitive activities.
  • “Anna was the one who came up with the ways in which he could be a fugitive. … You can't find a bad photograph of Frederick Douglass.” (35:45–36:28)
• On Protest Messaging: Importance of a clear message (“Your bondage is wrong”).

Chapter 3: Labor Rights and Union Strikes

• Violence in Protest: Acknowledges the historical centrality of violence, from labor to slave uprisings.
• Notable Figures: Mother Jones and A. Philip Randolph—workers, organizers, and activists navigating intersectional struggles.
  • “A. Philip Randolph is able to…start making changes outside of the union context…to work against racial discrimination.” (37:14–40:05)

Chapter 4: Anti-War Marches and Conscientious Objectors

• Duality of Protest: Both refusal to fight (Quakers) and fighting for recognition (Black soldiers) as forms of protest.
• Innovation: Explains the shift toward nonviolence in the 20th century, in contrast to earlier norms.
  • “Violence has always been a part of protest. And that's why the nonviolent movement was such a difference.” (41:09–43:50)

Chapter 5: Rebellions in the 20th Century

• Time-Bound Deliberately: Emphasizes the social, legal, and economic transformations of the 1900s.
• Teaching Purpose: Essential for younger readers/students, for whom even the civil rights era is “history.”
  • “The average person says, ‘Wait a minute, this rule of law…is supposed to apply to me too.’” (49:25–52:03)
• Role of the Law: More legal analysis here, illustrating law as a protest tool.

Chapter 6: Her Body, Her Ballot, Her Protest

• Women’s Autonomy: Focuses on evolving struggles over women’s bodies and rights—from colonial times to the present.
  • “That womb has been a battleground from the very beginning of this country.” (53:49–58:03)
• Historical Arc: From shipped brides in Jamestown, to the Grimké sisters, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, to Planned Parenthood.
• Contemporary Relevance: Connects past protest to ongoing battles over reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.

Chapter 7: Protesting Violent Policing

• Deep Roots of Police Violence: Traces policing’s evolution from slave catchers and bounty hunters to modern law enforcement.
• Role vs. Rule Again: Discusses how the law was historically crafted to maintain order for the elite, enforced by police.
  • “The police department is then used to enforce the role of law, which is making sure that those marginalized people stay marginalized and stay in their place.” (58:14–59:54)

Chapter 8: Contesting Climate Denial and Environmental Racism

• Broader Connections: Links anti-war activism (Daniel Ellsberg) to climate protest, highlighting the importance of cross-movement empathy and common cause.
  • “Daniel Ellsberg is known for leaking the Pentagon papers, but he was also…an activist against nuclear war.” (60:03–66:03)
• Environmental Justice: Explores how gentrification and environmental degradation disproportionately harm marginalized groups.
• Empathy & Action: Encourages seeing activism as interconnected—and that regular people, at pivotal moments, become changemakers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the book’s intent:
  • “I wanted my book to inform, inspire, and empower.” (05:09)
• On protest as necessity:
  • “We had to protest our way into the Constitution.” (12:41)
• On rediscovering history:
  • “There are people who were well known in their time, who've been forgotten about in history, brought back.” (20:04)
• On protesting today:
  • “Do you have clarity of message? It has to be a clear message that people understand.” (36:28)
• On law as a protest tool:
  • “We take for granted in the 21st century the role of law that we can use as a tool for protest. That was something developed in the 20th century.” (51:17)
• On women’s bodily autonomy:
  • “That womb has been a battleground from the very beginning of this country.” (53:53)
• On interconnected activism:
  • “Once we have empathy for others, we begin to see our connectedness. And I think that gives us the spiritual courage…to help create something that doesn't exist.” (65:37)

Key Timestamps

• Opening Discussion on Protest and Book Motivation: 03:07–05:49
• Explaining the Intended Reader: 07:38–08:50
• Rule of Law vs. Role of Law: 10:13–13:32
• Interdisciplinary Approach and Structure: 13:52–19:09
• Rediscovering Protest Figures: 20:04–21:25
• Broadening Protest’s Definition: 21:55–22:41
• Origin Stories – Indigenous Protest: 25:39–30:54
• Frederick Douglass & African American Protest: 32:02–36:28
• Labor Movements: 37:14–40:05
• Anti-War Protest: 41:09–43:50
• 20th-Century Rebellions & Legal Rights: 45:37–52:03
• Women’s Rights: 53:49–58:03
• Protesting Violent Policing: 58:14–59:54
• Climate & Environmental Protest: 60:03–66:03

Final Reflections

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall’s A Protest History of the United States reframes U.S. history as a continuous tapestry of protest, innovation, and struggle. The conversation highlights the power of ordinary people to challenge authority, reshape law, and envision new rights—making clear that protest is not a relic of the past but a dynamic force underpinning American democracy.

For more:
Find Browne-Marshall at brownmarshall23.com
Host Sullivan Sommer at sullivansommer.com