polychromatic_hedgehog_parable's review
4.75
Cornel West is an exceptional writer & speaker and this was a joy to read haha. (really different from the last book I read. 🙈)
very "Christian dad" vibes at times, but I suppose that's very reasonable given the circumstances LOL.
beautiful & accessible writing, yet a broad and deep range of references (i.e. there are some people I can't recommend this book to whoops)
I might need to go back and dig for the quote, but at one point West seemed to really explicitly and succinctly describe his goal in life (?) or broad theory of change (??) and my jaw dropped to the floor. like holy shit I aspire to have that level of clarity about my own life goals and beliefs. I genuinely want to study his statement and set aside time to think about what something for me might be.
lots of big thoughts from this book, but I don't want to write them out here
very "Christian dad" vibes at times, but I suppose that's very reasonable given the circumstances LOL.
beautiful & accessible writing, yet a broad and deep range of references (i.e. there are some people I can't recommend this book to whoops)
I might need to go back and dig for the quote, but at one point West seemed to really explicitly and succinctly describe his goal in life (?) or broad theory of change (??) and my jaw dropped to the floor. like holy shit I aspire to have that level of clarity about my own life goals and beliefs. I genuinely want to study his statement and set aside time to think about what something for me might be.
lots of big thoughts from this book, but I don't want to write them out here
ste3ve_b1rd's review against another edition
4.0
I had a lot of trouble deciding exactly how I was going to review this book -- Frankly, there's so much material to cover that I won't get to most of it. Â First of all, I'm impressed by the density and complexity of the writing -- For that reason alone, I believe the author inherently knows what he's talking about. Â I appreciate Dr. West's objective assessments of various past and present states of affairs in the USA -- As well as his overall worldview. Â While I did read the entire book and also reread the first chapter ("Nihilism in Black America") -- My comments here mainly concern what I was able to glean from the prefaces, introductions and epilogue of this work.
Here are some highlights with regard to noteworthy content: (1) Imperial meltdown -- And how imperial meltdown = spiritual blackout); (1) (a) How we're living in a soulless time, in which everything has been commodified and monetized -- Particularly due to the inescapable influence of social media); (2) Bernie Sanders as a missed opportunity -- I'm in agreement with the policies promoted by Sanders, but I never voted for him, as I didn't believe he could win in a general election; (3) The grey area of commonality between Obama and Trump -- In terms of actions both presidents have taken in regard to furthering America's endless wars; (4) The obscene pentagon budget -- That could ideally be allocated to fund infrastructure, healthcare, house, education etc.
Dr. West also seems to be very open, fair and compassionate in his understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ community (I'm saying this as a white LGBTQ person who's always felt like an outsider in the LGBTQ community) & in recognizing how problematic sexism, homophobia and patriarchal attitudes can be -- Within more conservative sectors of the African-American community.
In Closing: Here's a quote from p. ix of this work [which relates to (1) (a) above]: "The major culprit of democratic possibilities here and abroad is the ever-expanding market culture that puts everything and everyone up for sale. Â The expansion of corporate power is driven by this pervasive commercialization and commodification ... Market activities of buying and selling, advertising and promoting weaken nonmarket actives of caring and sharing, nurturing and connection. Â Short-term stimulation and instant titillation edge out quality relations and substantive community."
Here are some highlights with regard to noteworthy content: (1) Imperial meltdown -- And how imperial meltdown = spiritual blackout); (1) (a) How we're living in a soulless time, in which everything has been commodified and monetized -- Particularly due to the inescapable influence of social media); (2) Bernie Sanders as a missed opportunity -- I'm in agreement with the policies promoted by Sanders, but I never voted for him, as I didn't believe he could win in a general election; (3) The grey area of commonality between Obama and Trump -- In terms of actions both presidents have taken in regard to furthering America's endless wars; (4) The obscene pentagon budget -- That could ideally be allocated to fund infrastructure, healthcare, house, education etc.
Dr. West also seems to be very open, fair and compassionate in his understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ community (I'm saying this as a white LGBTQ person who's always felt like an outsider in the LGBTQ community) & in recognizing how problematic sexism, homophobia and patriarchal attitudes can be -- Within more conservative sectors of the African-American community.
In Closing: Here's a quote from p. ix of this work [which relates to (1) (a) above]: "The major culprit of democratic possibilities here and abroad is the ever-expanding market culture that puts everything and everyone up for sale. Â The expansion of corporate power is driven by this pervasive commercialization and commodification ... Market activities of buying and selling, advertising and promoting weaken nonmarket actives of caring and sharing, nurturing and connection. Â Short-term stimulation and instant titillation edge out quality relations and substantive community."
as_a_tre3's review
5.0
The issues discussed within each topic of this book remain relevant for the current US life.
montyalmoro's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
diana_eveline's review against another edition
4.0
"We need leaders who can situate themselves, who can grasp the complex dynamics of our peoplehood and imagine a future grounded in the best of our past, yet who are attuned to the frightening obstacles that now perplex us."
In this collection of essays about racism in America, West steers clear of putting the blame of current circumstances on any one group. He is, in his own words, not afraid to be bold and defiant to both white and black people about their contribution to the way things are now.
It is a shame that I have very limited knowledge of American history and I know even less about their historical events involving racism. This made some of the essays a bit difficult to understand and left me with a slightly onesided view of others. I doubt that West was to blame for much of my confusion, since I understood most of the other points he made.
West calls on the Malcom Xs and Martin Luther Kings of this generation to stand up and be role models to black people everywhere. Black America, in his words, needs role models that are interested in a better America for everyone, not just themselves. When West expressed his opinion on the necessity of affirmative action, I couldn't help but disagree. He says affirmative action is not the biggest problem black people face but that it is a part of a vicious cicle. I will not pretend to know what it is like to be discriminated because of the colour of my skin but I'd imagine this enforced form of respect (or positive discrimination) is just as bad as actual discrimination, if not worse. It feels as if it only appears to be in favour of black people (or minorities in general).
Again, I am no expert on racial matters but the book was still incredibly interesting. It is hard to contest his ideas, especially since he processes all of them multi-dimensional, in both race and time. I might read this collection again once I have done a bit of research and revisit my verdict.
In this collection of essays about racism in America, West steers clear of putting the blame of current circumstances on any one group. He is, in his own words, not afraid to be bold and defiant to both white and black people about their contribution to the way things are now.
It is a shame that I have very limited knowledge of American history and I know even less about their historical events involving racism. This made some of the essays a bit difficult to understand and left me with a slightly onesided view of others. I doubt that West was to blame for much of my confusion, since I understood most of the other points he made.
West calls on the Malcom Xs and Martin Luther Kings of this generation to stand up and be role models to black people everywhere. Black America, in his words, needs role models that are interested in a better America for everyone, not just themselves. When West expressed his opinion on the necessity of affirmative action, I couldn't help but disagree. He says affirmative action is not the biggest problem black people face but that it is a part of a vicious cicle. I will not pretend to know what it is like to be discriminated because of the colour of my skin but I'd imagine this enforced form of respect (or positive discrimination) is just as bad as actual discrimination, if not worse. It feels as if it only appears to be in favour of black people (or minorities in general).
Again, I am no expert on racial matters but the book was still incredibly interesting. It is hard to contest his ideas, especially since he processes all of them multi-dimensional, in both race and time. I might read this collection again once I have done a bit of research and revisit my verdict.
not_mike's review against another edition
5.0
Essays.
A series of essays written in the early 90s (following the LA riots) and revitalized for 2017 (post Obama, post Trump election). Much of what Dr. West wrote back then reverberates today with many Black activists, artists, social thinkers, critics, absurdists, etc--in the variety of the celebrity, academic, or small. This range of essays comments on Black issues particular to the United States: from Dr. West's criticism of credible Black leadership in the late 20th century (compared to say King, Baldwin, Truth, Ellison, Hooks), the strange rise in Black conservatives, Black-Jewish relations, Black sexuality, criticism of Malcolm X, Black Nihilism. and others.
Many of the arguments Dr. West made are finally in the pop culture spotlight, gaining ground today in both newsrooms and media entertainment, but whether or not they will stick in an oversaturated, often nihilistic, globalized culture has yet to be determined. Some of Dr. West's main points are that love--love of the platonic, community kind of love as well as the intimate and the kind of love we owe to one another--a unified front of trans racial equitable thinking (and not just racial equality), and a movement away from profit driven capitalist rhetoric, among others, will help move the goal posts towards a stronger, kinder, society free of the oppressive practices that white supremacy wields against Black, Brown, women, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups. And yet, while authors such as Kiese Laymon, Angela Davis, Toni Morrison and others have written about, practiced, and preached this language, there still lies a contingent within America that wields unbridled power and views this thinking of equitable, trans racial, progress as dangerous 'un-American,' or 'anarchists'' thought. So then, what is America? So then, who is America?
Dr. West acknowledges this and doesn't seek necessarily to change the world in a vague, liberal, malarkey way, but hopes his words will empower historically marginalized individuals and communities to find agency within themselves and not through the white gaze.
A series of essays written in the early 90s (following the LA riots) and revitalized for 2017 (post Obama, post Trump election). Much of what Dr. West wrote back then reverberates today with many Black activists, artists, social thinkers, critics, absurdists, etc--in the variety of the celebrity, academic, or small. This range of essays comments on Black issues particular to the United States: from Dr. West's criticism of credible Black leadership in the late 20th century (compared to say King, Baldwin, Truth, Ellison, Hooks), the strange rise in Black conservatives, Black-Jewish relations, Black sexuality, criticism of Malcolm X, Black Nihilism. and others.
Many of the arguments Dr. West made are finally in the pop culture spotlight, gaining ground today in both newsrooms and media entertainment, but whether or not they will stick in an oversaturated, often nihilistic, globalized culture has yet to be determined. Some of Dr. West's main points are that love--love of the platonic, community kind of love as well as the intimate and the kind of love we owe to one another--a unified front of trans racial equitable thinking (and not just racial equality), and a movement away from profit driven capitalist rhetoric, among others, will help move the goal posts towards a stronger, kinder, society free of the oppressive practices that white supremacy wields against Black, Brown, women, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups. And yet, while authors such as Kiese Laymon, Angela Davis, Toni Morrison and others have written about, practiced, and preached this language, there still lies a contingent within America that wields unbridled power and views this thinking of equitable, trans racial, progress as dangerous 'un-American,' or 'anarchists'' thought. So then, what is America? So then, who is America?
Dr. West acknowledges this and doesn't seek necessarily to change the world in a vague, liberal, malarkey way, but hopes his words will empower historically marginalized individuals and communities to find agency within themselves and not through the white gaze.
shiradest's review
4.0
He hit the nail on the head, several times. By explaining the nihilistic threat to the existence of the Black Community, he finally gave me words for those feelings of despair that I condemned so often as I was growing up (at the same time as I cursed my parents and myself for having too-light skin): that hopelessness and the constant complaints about the Salvadorean boat-people coming over and taking our jobs, about them not listening to Dad just because he was Black, about having two strikes against us as Black Women, and about how lucky I was to be light-skinned because I would get more job, except that it doesn't always work that way. And my own desperate attempts to make the system work, as the Lt. Col. used to say, but I found that outside of Jr. ROTC, that didn't generally work, either. And now I have the words and the analysis to understand why.
Thank you, Cornel West.
BUT,
I do have to disagree mildly with his statements that there was never much cooperation between Black folks and Jewish folks. Please see my book (ok, yes, it is a short book but a book-sized book, nonetheless) on the subject, with examples, of Black-Jewish cooperation in DC both before and during the 60s: [b:Stayed on Freedom's Call: Cooperation Between Jewish And African-American Communities In Washington, DC|21532511|Stayed on Freedom's Call Cooperation Between Jewish And African-American Communities In Washington, DC|Shira Destinie Jones Landrac|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1396843051s/21532511.jpg|40860923]
Thank you, Cornel West.
BUT,
I do have to disagree mildly with his statements that there was never much cooperation between Black folks and Jewish folks. Please see my book (ok, yes, it is a short book but a book-sized book, nonetheless) on the subject, with examples, of Black-Jewish cooperation in DC both before and during the 60s: [b:Stayed on Freedom's Call: Cooperation Between Jewish And African-American Communities In Washington, DC|21532511|Stayed on Freedom's Call Cooperation Between Jewish And African-American Communities In Washington, DC|Shira Destinie Jones Landrac|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1396843051s/21532511.jpg|40860923]