Mythology with attitude? A black Christian's defence of negritude in early modern Europe

Examines a letter found in a volume of historical documents entitled "Papeles diversos" in the National Library in Madrid. The letter takes the form of a short treatise in which the author's colour is defended against the racist jibes of fellow Christians. A letter from a literate and knowledgeable black person is without parallel in early modern Europe. That its few pages call into question many basic assumptions about people during this period makes it all the more remarkable. For instance, it challenges the comforting if nave view that racialism was but a late addition to Europe's catalogue of intolerances.