No, Ellen White did not believe that black people were an inferior species. In her writings, she repeatedly affirmed the equal value of all people before God, regardless of race. Here are some key points from her published books: - She stated, "Believers, whether white or black, are branches of the True Vine. There is to be no special heaven for the white man and another heaven for the black man. We are all to be saved through the same grace, all to enter the same heaven at last... The same God that blesses us as His sons and daughters blesses the colored race. Those who have the faith that works by love and purifies the soul will look with compassion and love upon the colored people. Many of those who have had every advantage, who have regarded themselves as superior to the colored people because their skin was white, will find that many of the colored race will go into heaven before them." (SWk 55.2) - She condemned the system of slavery and the degradation it caused, writing, "The whole system of slavery was originated by Satan, who delights in tyrannizing over human beings. Though he has been successful in degrading and corrupting the black race, many are possessed of decided ability, and if they were blessed with opportunities, they would show more intelligence than do many of their more favored brethren among the white people." (SWk 60.3) - She emphasized that "Birth, station, nationality, or color cannot elevate or degrade men. The character makes the man. If a red man, a Chinaman, or an African gives his heart to God, in obedience and faith, Jesus loves him none the less for his color. He calls him his well-beloved brother." (SWk 12.2) - She also wrote, "Those who slight a brother because of his color are slighting Christ." (SWk 13.1) While Ellen White did acknowledge the effects of slavery and lack of education on the black population of her time, she consistently called for compassion, uplift, and equal treatment, and she strongly opposed the idea of racial superiority or inferiority. In summary, Ellen White did not teach or believe that black people were an inferior species; rather, she advocated for their uplift and equality in Christ. References: - White, E. G. (1898). The Southern Work (SWk), sections 12.2, 13.1, 55.2, 60.3. Available from the Ellen G. White Estate.