Ellen White Supremacist

Ellen White a Racist

Although Mrs. White encouraged the work for Blacks and even contributed her own money towards the work, she also made statements which would lead one to believe she was at least mildly racist and a subtle white supremacist. For example, Mrs. White assurred her white followers that heaven would be free of dark-skinned people:

"In heaven there will be no color line; for all will be as white as Christ himself. Let us thank God that we can be members of the royal family."¹

Had Racist Books in Her Library

While Mrs. White forbid the reading of the anti-slavery book Uncle Tom's Cabin, she had the white supremacist books The Clansman and The Leopard's Spots, by Thomas Dixon, in her private library. Dixon's father and uncle were at one time members of the Klu Klux Klan, and The Clansman portrays the Klan in a relatively positive light. Both books portray negroes as inferior to whites.

Eyewitness Account of Elders B.F. Snook and W.H. Brinkerhoff

Ellen White's amalgamation statements, published in 1864, raised questions as to whether she thought negroes were an amalgamation of man and beast. Uriah Smith attempted to clarify the matter when he published his defense of her in 1868. He identified the amalgamated species as certain African and Indian tribes.²

Not everyone bought Smith's explanation. Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff were Seventh-day Adventist leaders in Iowa, who were ordained by James White in 1862. In 1866, they published a book unveiling not only the errors in Mrs. White's visions, but also the racist views she held at that time:

"These visions teach that the Negro race is not human. This charge they deny, but we will let the reader decide for himself. Here is what she says; 'Since the flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species, and in certain races of men.'—Sp. Gifts. Vol. 3, p. 75. But what are we to understand by certain races of men? She has not informed us in her writings, but left us to fix the stigma of amalgamation where we may see fit. But the interpretation has come to light. She told it to her husband, and he made it known to Eld. Ingraham, and he divulged the secret to the writer, that Sister White had seen that God never made the Darkey."³

Blacks Are to be Led by Whites

Mrs. White felt that Whites should lead up the work for Blacks in the Southern USA:

"Opportunities are continually presenting themselves in the Southern States, and many wise, Christian colored men will be called to the work. But for several reasons white men must be chosen as leaders."⁴

Not to Push for Equality with Whites

Mrs. White encouraged Blacks not to strive for equality with Whites:

"The Colored People should not urge that they be placed on an equality with White People."⁵

"No one is capable of clearly defining the proper position of the colored people."⁶

"The work of proclaiming the truth for this time is not to be hindered by an effort to adjust the position of the Negro race."⁷

Forbids Interracial Marriage

Mrs. White took a dim view of interracial marriage:

"But there is an objection to the marriage of the white race with the black. All should consider that they have no right to entail upon their offspring that which will place them at a disadvantage; they have no right to give them as a birthright a condition which would subject them to a life of humiliation. The children of these mixed marriages have a feeling of bitterness toward the parents who have given them this lifelong inheritance. For this reason, if there were no other, there should be no intermarriagebetween the white and the colored race."⁸

"In reply to inquiries regarding the advisability of intermarriage between Christian young people of the white and black races, I will say that in my earlier experience this question was brought before me, and the light given me of the Lord was that this step should not be taken; for it is sure to create controversy and confusion. I have always had the same counsel to give. No encouragement to marriages of this character should be given among our people. Let the colored brother enter into marriage with a colored sister who is worthy, one who loves God, and keeps His commandments. Let the white sister who contemplates uniting in marriage with the colored brother refuse to take this step, for the Lord is not leading in this direction. Time is too precious to be lost in controversy that will arise over this matter. Let not questions of this kind be permitted to call our ministers from their work. The taking of such a step will create confusion and hindrance. It will not be for the advancement of the work or for the glory of God".⁹

"You have no license from God to exclude the colored people from places of worship. Treat them as Christ's property, which they are, just as much as yourselves. They should hold membership in the church with the white brethren. Every effort should be made to wipe out the terrible wrong [slavery] which has been done them. At the same time we must not carry things to extremes and run into fanaticism on this question. Some would think it right to throw down every partition wall and intermarry with the colored people, but this is not the right thing to teach or practice."¹⁰

"Do not unite yourself in marriage with a girl who will have cause to regret the step forever after. . . . O what covetous, selfish, short-sighted creatures human beings are. Distrust your own judgment, and depend on the judgment of God. Distinguish between what is pleasing and what is profitable. Do God's will submissively. . . . Following your own way and your own will, you will only find thorns and thistles."¹¹