The Global Erasure of Blackness

A historical examination of the Black census undercount as a transnational civil rights issue

US census taking is more accurate today than when the practice was implemented over two centuries ago—yet, then and now, Black residents are undercounted. A true census count of a population by race provides concrete data about racial hierarchies and exclusion. Without it, systemic racism is rendered invisible. In this sharp analysis, renowned civil rights law expert Tanya Katerí Hernández argues that census taking is inherently political—and that an accurate count of Blackness is crucial to the pursuit of racial equality and effective democracies.

This book reveals deeply embedded institutional racism that extends far beyond US boundaries and the country’s racial history. Governmental anti-Blackness in Latin America, Europe, and elsewhere has resulted in a civil rights crisis for Black people across the African Diaspora. Told through stories of civil rights activists and grassroots organizers, interviews with these important stakeholders, and accounts of relevant census inclusion campaigns, this book traces:

• The transnational histories of undercounting Blackness on the census
  

• The civil rights crisis the contemporary undercount presents for the pursuit of equality and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws
  

• The international human rights tools for addressing the undercount
  

The Global Erasure of Blackness chronicles the ongoing struggle for accurate census counts of Afro-descendants, revealing a critical failure-by-design that we must address as we pursue an equitable, multiracial democracy

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs