 This history suggested Royce’s philosophy as a promising source for contemporary dialogues about race and community. Scholars including Jacquelyn Kegley and Shannon Sullivan have proposed models of egalitarian, anti-racist Roycean “genuine communities” (See Kegley 1997, and Sullivan’s introduction to Royce 1908 [2009].) Tommy J. Curry has argued, however, that Royce’s philosophy is tainted by racist ideas: it does not have a progressive vision of social justice or of resisting anti-Black racism (Curry 2018). The debate over racist elements in Royce’s philosophy has been extensive.[2] Beyond its implications for our appraisal and use of Royce’s work, the controversy illustrates the challenges contemporary scholars face when confronting ugly facts about the historical figures they study. Here we will survey the concerns that have been raised about apparent anti-Black and colonial themes in Royce’s work. Such a survey may help outline considerations that are relevant for scholars addressing other problematic figures.