Imperium in Imperio [E Griggs, Sutton]

Written in 1899, Grigg’s moving, terrifying book describes the Jim Crow era life of a black man inhabiting a living dystopia. Belton Piedmont is from a poor background, he works hard to become educated but is subjected to the full range of discrimination and racism as he grows older. At the point where he has lost all hope he is introduced to the notion of a shadow state, ‘Imperium in Imperio’, a utopia where black people are treated equally and attempt to bring their values into the heart of government in Texas, altering his life forever. Grigg’s unflinching narrative explores nationalism, civil disobedience, voter suppression, poverty and education, all still familiar themes today.