Black Men Speaking [Hardcover]

Charles Johnson (Editor), John McCluskey Jr. (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 1997

"The book is a gripping litany of sermon, scripture, and spirituality. It is strident and unembarrassed by its message, urgent in its delivery, somewhat daunting in the tenets it proposes, and clear in its mission." —Black Issues Book Review

"... an important book that offers useful insights into the lives and times of black men everywhere..." —West Africa

"Black Men Speaking... provides in its diverse range of black, male voices an antidote for the silence that hindered them for so long." —Washington Post Book World

"... important reading for Blacks and whites, men and women, young and old." —Gazette Newspaper Group

"A must-read book for all" —The Recorder, Indianapolis, IN

Editors Charles Johnson (whose Middle Passage won the National Book Award) and John McCluskey, Jr. have gathered the voices of 11 African-American men in this volume—to tell us how they see themselves and other black males in America today. Contributors include Don Belton, Joseph W. Scott, and Peter J. Harris.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The past few years have seen the publication of a number of excellent books about the black male experience, including Henry Gates's Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man (LJ 2/15/97) and Herb Boyd and Robert Allen's Brotherman (LJ 3/15/95). This anthology, edited by National Book Award winner Johnson and educator McCluskey, intends to join that notable group. The ten chapters display a wide variety of styles, voices, and perspectives. But rather than enrich us with that diversity, the book comes across as unfocused and diffuse. Some chapters, such as Joseph W. Scott's "Making a Way Out of No Way" and Johnson's "The Second Front," are compelling. Unfortunately, their impact is lost in the tedious interviews, lengthy ramblings, and earnest exhortations that make up the rest of the book. Libraries that have strong African American collections may find that the good outweighs the banal here, but most libraries would be better served by purchasing one or both of the other titles listed above.?Nora Harris, Corte Madera Regional Branch Lib., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

More American black men are in prison than in college. They are more likely than whites to die violently and young. Is the American black man an ``endangered species''? National Book Award winner Johnson (Middle Passage, 1990) and fellow novelist McCluskey (Mr. America's Last Season Blues, 1983) spent seven years collecting these original writings. Unfortunately, the perspectives provided here on this important question--with the exception of Yosef Komunyakaa's award-winning poetry and Don Belton's affecting essay, ``Voodoo for Charles''-- are mostly tired and trite. The common thread throughout is the bleak reality of the lives of African-American males and their negative portrayal in the media. Often lacking identity and self- respect, many black men are said to perceive themselves as ``niggers.'' And those who do make it are accused here of too often being preoccupied with pursuing material success while ignoring social concerns. The writers ponder whether the underlying cause of this crisis is institutional racism, the educational system, economics, the lack of role models, or an insidious combination of all of the above. (Ironically, with few exceptions, African- American females don't emerge any more positively here than their male counterparts. Black mothers are often portrayed as abusive to their sons, dismissive of their needs, and incapable of instilling moral standards.) Gangs became the surrogate family to a generation of young men growing up without fathers and with mothers who are, at most, marginal to their lives. Their music is rap as it ``reflects the realities of the judicial system, prison, the police, and our failure as Black men to listen and reach out to young men and validate their worth.'' Despite the urgency of the subject matter, there isn't much here that hasn't been expressed more eloquently elsewhere. (10 b&w photos of art by Jacob Lawrence) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; First Edition edition (June 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253332591
• ISBN-13: 978-0253332592
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,463,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I also disagree strongly with Kirkus review, April 15, 2005

By 

L.A. Woman (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Men Speaking (Hardcover)

I am NOT a contributor to this book and have no association with it other than being a reader. I got it out of the library and was so impressed with it that I bought a copy to own and keep. I am not black and not a man, but I found the book brilliant and thought-provoking. My only suggestion might have been to give it a title less limiting in subject, perhaps using "Black Men Speaking" as a subtitle, because this is a book about human beings. It isn't the last word on any subject -- nothing is -- and as in all anthologies some writers have fresher insights than others, but sections in it moved me and made me think like no book I've read in a long time. Don't make the mistake of thinking this book is a tired re-hash of issues that have already been covered extensively; rather, it has some superb writing about how human beings have dealt with and will deal with the many challenges of living in society, and where that society is headed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is better than Kirkus states, December 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Men Speaking (Hardcover)

As a contributor to this book, I strongly disagree with the assessment from Kirkus Reviews. Yes, there is much here we've heard before (but that doesn't mean it isn't worth saying--and hearing--again.) Then, too, there is a range of perspectives in this book--from the conservative to the liberal--that is greater than Kirkus acknowledges. Some writers see racism as black men's greatest enemy; others call for us to take more responsibility for our own lives. "Black Men Speaking" is a worthy companion to Don Belton's "Speak My Name," and essential reading for anyone who cares about black America.