Black Genius: African American Solutions to African American Problems [Paperback]

Spike Lee (Author), Melvin Van Peebles (Author), George Curry (Author), Angela Davis (Author), Bell Hooks (Author), Jocelyn Elders (Author), Walter Mosley (Editor), Manthia Diawara (Editor), Clyde Taylor (Editor), Regina Austin (Editor), Manthia Diawara (Author), Clyde Taylor (Author), Regina Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

Thirteen of black America's most eloquent voices share their visions for a self-sufficient, self-determined future.

From Spike Lee's encouragement of independent, community fundraising to Joycelyn Elders's warning about the failings of our "sick-care" system to Stanley Crouch's disputation on "heroic" versus "anarchic" individuality, Black Genius is an exceptional, unique colloquy. Conceived by acclaimed novelist Walter Mosley and sponsored by the New York University Africana Studies Program and the Institute of African American Affairs, this book originated as a series of community conversations where "visionaries with solutions" shared powerful views on personal and communal struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. The list of contributors suggests the range of perspectives and talents brought to bear on such issues as economics, political power, work, authority, and culture. Black Genius is a point of departure for vigorous discussion of our current realities and goals for the future-and a portrait of "genius" that leads the way to enriching American life in the twenty-first century.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

These essays are taken from a symposium held in New York University's Africana Studies Program, whose participants included gifted writers and thinkers from the upper echelon of Afro-American achievement. The organizer, novelist Walter Mosley, writes, "The intent of Black Genius was to assemble a group of black intellectuals, artists, political activists, economists who have broken the visor and seen beyond the fallacies of race.... We wanted to present the stories of women and men who had made it in spite of the system." Farai Chideya delivers an on-point analysis of the media's misrepresentation of blacks and offers a blueprint for more up-front and behind-the-scenes representation in the newsroom. Critic Stanley Crouch body-slams the negroidal nihilism and black "gansta" mentality in rap music, while Angela Davis delivers a nightmarish assessment of the growing African American prison population. Others--including Julianne Malveaux, Randall Robinson, Spike Lee, and Anna Deveare Smith--take aim at health, the film industry, Wall Street, and the state of African-descended people around the world. --Eugene Holley Jr. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Conceived as a community colloquium of "black intellectuals, artists, political activists, and economists" sponsored by NYU's Africana studies department, this volume reprints discussions on economics, political power, work, authority and culture. Genius, according to Mosley, refers to "that quality which capitalizes the hopes and talents and character of a people" and is "something we all share." Poet Haki Madhubuti urges black independent entrepreneurship based on his experience as founder, in 1967, of Third World Press and of the New Concept School in Chicago. Feminist scholar bell hooks decries the toxic effects of "hedonistic materialism." Stanley Crouch's clear-eyed, scathing and exciting "Straighten Up and Fly Right" centers on personal responsibility and laments both the "narcissistic" self-destructiveness of rap artists and the "celebration of rednecks" in America at large. Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Emerge editor George Curry (on the necessity of computer literacy) and performance artist Anna Deveare Smith add their voices to the collection. Perhaps because of the inclusive nature of the project, the quality of the selections is uneven, and the whole is no greater than the sum of its parts. But the best pieces are original, thoughtful and passionate. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393319784
• ISBN-13: 978-0393319781
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, thought-provoking, and most of all, accessible!, April 5, 1999

By 

IotaNet - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Genius: African American Solutions to African American Problems (Hardcover)

This is a very serious piece of writing. So often, African-Americans look to others for help in "handling our business." Here are 13 essays from people of thought and action that have decided to lay out some ways we can handle it ourselves!

The real beauty of this book is the accessibility of what is written. No offense to Cornel West and other Black Intellectuals (they have voices that must also be heard and heeded!), but this book is written in such a way that even the casual reader will be touched and moved to action. There is no lack of depth here but rather a casual familiarity as well as a sense of urgency that will immediately draw the reader in.

Further, there are a variety of voices presented here. From Spike Lee to Randall Robinson to Walter Mosley, these essayists cover a tremendous amount of ground and touch all of us along the way. There is something here that speaks to the many facets of the African American experience.

Buy this book - I dare you not to be inspired by it!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!, October 5, 1999

By 

EarlRandy "earlrandy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Genius: African American Solutions to African American Problems (Hardcover)

The only reason I bought this book is because Walter Mosley's name was attached to it. Mosley is one of America's most valuable treasures, and I jump at any opportunity to experience his words. However, while his essay is excellent, the other authors more than hold their own.

I don't know who the intended audience is for this book, but I think it should be required reading for everyone. From age 15 through 90. Liberal, conservative, egalitarian, libertarian, agnostic, spiritual, what have you.

I cannot put my respect for this book into words. I am saddened with the realization that this book will go unnoticed by many because of a number of reasons. This book deserves much more recognition than it has received to date.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diversity of Opinions and Backgrounds very welcoming, October 18, 2000

By 

Nubian Sage (California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Genius: African American Solutions to African American Problems (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Too many times the Black community is treated as if we all believe only one idea or follow one way of doing things. "Black Genius" brings out the qualities our many talented Kings and Queens by providing personal narratives with solutions to many concerns that effect the Black Community daily. I highly recommend this book. If you are concerned about issues in the Black community you wont be dissapointed.