American Paradox: Young Black Men [Paperback]

Renford Reese (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2003

Over a half-century since Ralph Ellison wrote the classic book Invisible Man, black men have been trying to become visible. In various ways, black men have sought to get the attention of the world. An intense quest to become seen, heard, and felt has manifested itself in rebellious and counterproductive behavior. Whether it is the baggy pants, the bandana, the braids in the hair, the earring, or the tattoo, black men have desperately striven for visibility. Perpetual gang warfare and an overemphasis on living a glamorous lifestyle have derailed many young black men from achieving success in the U.S.

Author Renford Reese examines how young African American males have unwittingly accepted one model of black masculinity. The acceptance of this "tough guy" model is having detrimental consequences on an entire generation of young black men. The book's thesis is supported by a survey the author conducted of 756 African American males from the ages of 13-19 in Los Angeles and Atlanta. This survey attempts to gauge the attitudes, perceptions, and basic knowledge of young African American men regarding black public figures. One component of this survey is a Realness Scale that the author constructed. Along with this survey, interviews were conducted with various young black males to find out why they, or many of their peers, have embraced the gangsta-thug persona. The results of the survey and interviews are fascinating.

Although the primary focus of this book is on the young black male's acceptance of the gangsta-thug image and their enthusiastic embrace of society's stereotypes, this book also looks at the unkindness of the system. One would be naive to dismiss the historical impact of discriminatory policies and the systemic perpetuation of stereotypes in U.S. society. Hence, this book examines the internal and external influences on the current black male identity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"American Paradox: Young Black Men . . . is an eye-opening read that brings to focus some the contemporary social issues that black and white America are reluctant to discuss." --Journal of Urban Affairs, November 2006

About the Author

Renford Reese is an associate professor of political science at Cal Poly Pomona and director of the Colorful Flags Program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Pr (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890895686
• ISBN-13: 978-0890895689
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1996, Renford Reese received his Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Southern California. He received his Master's degree in public policy from the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies and his B.A. in political science from Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Reese grew up in McDonough, Georgia. His father, Earnest Reese, was one of the first African American journalists to write for a major newspaper in the South, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His mother, Artelia Reese, a descendant of the much talked about Pettway's of Gee's Bend, was his high school principal. When Dr. Reese was growing up in the early 1970's his hometown was still partially segregated by railroad tracks. Because most of the blacks were forced to live in a certain area of the town, his community was labeled "Blacksville" on the town's map.

As an African-American boy of 12 years old, he did a seventh grade social science project on "gerrymandering" in his town. He became infuriated at the constructed division between the black and white communities. He also became disgruntled with the lack of dialogue between these communities. At a very early age, he realized that he would like to dedicate his life to issues that help people of different races bridge gaps of mistrust.

He did his doctoral dissertation research on intergroup relations and ethnic conflict at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1993, as a second year doctoral student and a "Presidential Fellow" at USC, he created the acclaimed Colorful Flags program. The tragic death of Latasha Harlins in South Central Los Angeles and his dissatisfaction with race relations prompted him to create this multiethnic human relations module. Today, this program has serviced approximately 130,000 K-12 students in 17 school districts in California. This program has also been implemented in police departments, hospitals, and various other organizations. Reese wrote the play "Bus Stop Soliloquy," which is a candid depiction of ethnic relations in the U.S. This play was produced as the short film, Life Ain't No Crystal Stair, by Emmy Award winner, Saul Landau.

Dr. Reese is currently a professor in the political science department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is the author of American Bravado (2007), Prison Race (2006), Leadership in the LAPD: Walking the Tightrope (2005), and American Paradox: Young Black Men (2004). He is also the author of the Starbucks "The Way I See It" quote #294: "Insensitivity makes arrogance ugly; empathy is what makes humility beautiful." Reese has traveled to 58 countries and has given lectures in many of them. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholars Award to lecture in the American Studies program at the University of Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong, Reese was inspired to write his first novel, "Hong Kong Nights." He was recently featured on ESPN's "Living the Dream" Black History Month series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inmate Quotes from California State Prison System, July 29, 2004

By 

freedom2011 (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Paradox: Young Black Men (Paperback)

I feel it's cool to see someone like 'ol boy (Dr. Reese) put the real out there like that. (Evil - robberies)

His book shows just how far we've gotten off track when it comes to defining what's real and what's fake.

(Quake - manslaughter)

They need to pass that book around the school campus and the rest of these prisons. (G-Rider - various crimes)

He put the real out there but it's gonna take more than a book to save all these wannabe tough-ass niggas.

(T-Macc - murder)

Although that author didn't come from the grind that I came from, I still feel where he's coming from.

(Young Dub - manslaughter)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing professor, author, speaker, thinker, and motivator., September 17, 2004

By 

Mike Cao (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Paradox: Young Black Men (Paperback)

I am a former student at Cal Poly, and have had the opportunity to take not just one, but two of Dr. Reese's classes, and I can attest that this man is nothing short of incredible. He is intelligent, articulate, and charismatic, and he truly cared about every single one of his students. I can say with absolute certainty that he has been the most influential person in my life besides my parents. His book is equally amazing, and is a must read for everyone, regardless of race, color, or background. I am not a young black man, but I can still appreciate the concepts of his teachings. If you were not lucky enough to have had Dr. Reese speak to you in person, his words still carry strongly in this book. I am a better person today, and I can honestly credit that, at least in part, to what I have been taught by this man. For that, Dr. Reese, I thank you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth, June 27, 2004

By 

Lee Williams (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Paradox: Young Black Men (Paperback)

This is a book that should not be passed up by anyone. Renford Reese presents a phenomenal analysis of popular culture and the role(s) of Black men that is at times painfully truthful. He presents the problems, the reasons behind the problems, and real solutions to the problems. His methodical approach uses scientifically sound facts that are often shocking, but undeniable. I used several passages from the book as critical thinking exercises for incoming college students and each of them felt that Renford Reese "hit the nail on the head." I cannot recommend this text enough.