The Assassination of the Black Male Image [Paperback]

Earl Ofari Hutchinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 1997

A compelling expose of the truth behind society's racial and sexual stereotypes of black men, this book offers a wide historical perspective and insights into such recent racially charged events as the Clarence Thomas hearings, the O.J. Simpson trial, and the Million Man March. Hutchinson brilliantly counters the image of black men as a population entrenched in crime, drugs, and violence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"The myth of the malevolent black male is based on a durable and time-resistant bedrock of myths, half-truths and lies," declares Hutchinson (The Presidential Betrayal of African-Americans). He criticizes media portrayals of black men, derisive code words used about black athletes and the media buzz over Waiting to Exhale's nasty portrayal of black men. Perhaps because the author is also a columnist and radio commentator, he skates briefly through his arguments; a few of his chapters (on Tina Turner, for example), stray from his thesis, and others include errors (The End of Racism did not become a bestseller). Hutchinson criticizes black males for using the word nigger. However, though he argues credibly that black violence is the product of a violent and poverty-ridden society, Hutchinson doesn't acknowledge that the problem of the underclass is both an economic and a spiritual/behavioral issue. Still, his advice is helpful. He suggests that readers persuade the media to cover the full spectrum of black life, not merely crime/violence/"hood" stories; he urges them to boycott music, videos and comedians, etc. who demean black images and to buy "positive black-oriented products" from black-owned stores and organizations. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Hutchinson, a Los Angeles-based lecturer and commentator, shows that slanted standards manipulate how the world views black men and how black men view themselves.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (September 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684836572
• ISBN-13: 978-0684836577
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading!, June 22, 2001

By 

Kyver "anansi-the-spider" (Greenville, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Assassination of the Black Male Image (Paperback)

A great book. I agree with the reviewer Bonita Davis in that Dr. Hutchinson does not always provide data to back up his assertions. However, I disagree with her stance against the book for not suggesting ways to "combat the assault". This book is about exposing misinformation, not taking action against the lies and stereotypes. I enjoyed Dr. Hutchinson's take on what the media does to black males, as well as what black women do! I thought that he could have done something more substantive with that chapter. I also thought the "What's Love Got to do with it" chapter was unfinished. The point of that chapter was nebulous at best.

The rest of the book is great, and overshadows the less-than-great aspects. I particularly enjoy the "voice" of this book - it was thoughtful, but a little angry at the powers and principalities that routinely assassinate black males. There are some things that we need to be angry about so that we are motivated to take the next step. What is the next step? If we knew that, there would be no reason for this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ASSAULT ON BLACK MALES, September 19, 2000

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Assassination of the Black Male Image (Paperback)

African-American men have been the targets of character assassination throughout their lives is the main premise of Dr. Hutchinson's work. He gives the reader a wide sweeping historical overview of how the media, sociologists and sadly enough Black female writers have been part of the conspiracy to demean the Black man's image.

The vast majority of what is presented is not anything new. African-Americans are not in control of the media. Thus whatever is projected about them comes from the racist and biased views of those who control the images. Most Blacks should know that they are considered sex-crazed, lazy, shiftless, etc. by the white power structure. Dr. Hutchinson's analysis of the structures' control tells us that things have not really changed only the form in which it has been presented.

I find the major flaw in this work is that it doesn't go into a more detailed analysis in providing the reader with data in support of his assertions. Our author spends quite a bit of time in belittling Black female authors whom he feels have bashed Black men in their works. The fact that they were supported by the media is the credence that he gives in his criticism. I found his critique of them very shallow as well as that of John Singleton. He could have made more of a case if he gave examples and cited the problems that their work caused for Black men rather than giving blanket generalizations.

Although the book is very revealing it doesn't come up with any suggestive ways in combatting this assault on Black males. Should the community rise up in arms against anyone who makes any criticism of Black males (right or wrong)? Will boycotting the media be productive? Can we not take charge of our own image regardless of what white america thinks? All of these questions and many more need to be considered. Most of all what image do African-Americans want to present for its males. If it is merely someone who holds the values of the oppressor but has a Black face then the group is in far more trouble morally than it thinks. This is a good book for further reflection and study over developing a Black male image that is positive for the community regardless of the external stereotypes projected on African-American men.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A much needed exposition on racial stereotyping., August 18, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Assassination of the Black Male Image (Hardcover)

Dr. Hutchinson goes to a lot of pain and effort to expose the media's misuse of racial sterotyping of black males. Dr. Hutchinson's work is written in a conversational format. He educates his readers on such things as the Clarence Thomas debacle, the Mike Tyson case, and the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against Michael Jackson. The doctor's chapter on the misuse of the "N" word was perhaps the most enlightening chapter in the book. The point of the chapter is that the misuse and casual usage of this demeaning word by African-American males (rap stars, comics, etc.) in an attempt to "take the power out of the word" has had the reverse effect.

The author forces the reader to look at himself and consider whether or not the media has been successful in brain-washing the general public.

In the chapter regarding Michael Jackson, though, the author reveals his own personal bias. He speaks of the accusations against Michael Jackson of sexual misconduct against young boys and finishes the chapter by stating that he will choose to believe Mr. Jackson's story until he is proven guilty in a court of law. However, what he says is reversed when he speaks of those implicated in the McMartin preschool scandal. In Mr. Jackson's case the author refers to the accusations as allegations. But when speaking of Ray Buckey, who spent FIVE years in jail without being proven guilty of ANYTHING in a court of law, he calls the same sort of allegations : "revelations".

So the author brings racism to the forefront of the reader's mind.. but his own bias sticks out a bit too far. He paints with too wide of a brush in places. Many of his statements are generalizations and often he doesn't back up these generalizations with facts, figures, etc.

Still, the book is a much needed exposition on racial sterotyping.