Customer Reviews

Defending the Spirit: A Black Life in America

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book should be required reading for all schools. It is time for us to hear the truth about those who run our government, maybe then we will make better choices in our elections. The hardest part about reading this book is that, as a white American, I truly believed we were past racism. Sadly to say we have covered it up in many ways. The forces that were so visible in the past are still alive and well hiding behind the mask of whatever. Thank you Mr. Robinson for telling the truth so that others like myself who continually search for truth can be better informed. The hard part is that I don't know how to change the injustice that is so prevalent.

This book is not so significant for its detailing of racism in America, which both white and black surely know of. Rather, it is a lovely view at how American foreign policy holds Africa and the Carribean to be simple pawns in their games, not caring for the countries involved nor their residents. Mr. Robinson, founder of TransAfrica, does a fine job criticizing policy to Rhodesia, Haiti, Rwanda, Zaire (now the Congo once more), Jamaica, Nigeria and more. Angry at times, but often rightfully so. Robinson does a fine job using personal experiences to highlight his message. Worth reading for Americans of all skin colors and backgrounds.

I just finished reading this book. Talk about a page turner, I couldn't put this book down. I have never read a more powerful and inspiring book. Bravo to Mr. Randall Robinson for his courage to stand up, write and speak the TRUTH!

If, in our society, the employment and social playing field were level and race did NOT matter, there would be no need to read Randall Robinson's book. Unfortunately, for all U.S. citizens, race does matter, still. And because of this indisputable fact, Mr. Robinson's book is a must read. He speaks the truth in his insightful analysis of how our foreign policy affects all of us. Those in power positions who dismiss him, do so at the cost of imperiling the future for average citizens in this country in the coming 21st century.

I read this book because I was intrigued by the interview that Brian Lamb did with Randall Robinson on CSPAN's Booknotes. Superficially, this book falls into the genre of "an angry black looks at America". If I had I browsed this book in a bookstore I probably would not have been interested in it. However, while Mr. Robinson is certainly both angry and black, this autobiography is much more than a complaint about 20th century America. It is an emotionally powerful story of an individual who changed both America and the world.

Randall Robinson's experiences clearly demonstrate that America has yet to recover from the abhorrent behavior patterns engendered by decades of slavery and discrimination. Ironically, the original draft of the Declaration of Independence contained a strident denunciation of slavery as violating the most sacred rights of life and liberty. That clarion call for the equality of all men, black and white, was deleted from the Declaration in the interest of political expediency. When America turned its back on equal rights for all people, the effects of slavery proceeded to devastate the ethical sinews of the nation, directly degrading blacks and indirectly debasing the consciences of many whites. The blatant examples of racism that Randall Robinson experienced in settings ranging from Alabama back roads to the halls of Harvard Law School are startling to a middle class white such as myself. It would be easy for Randall Robinson to justify rebelling against a system which allows the stereotypes and prejudices of slavery to infect its social structures.

Randall Robinson chose a different path; he chose to do what is morally right rather than what portends short term political expediency. Randall Robinson decided to change America's wholly unjust and racist foreign policy towards African and Carribean countries. The impact that he and his compatriots had on US foreign policy towards both South Africa and Haiti is stunning. They didn't just nudge the lumbering ship of state on a small course change. They stopped the US in its tracks and caused it to support democracy rather than totalitarian dictatorship. Why is it that in the country of the Declaration of Independence, private citizens have to stand up and tell our government to advocate democracy over totalitarian rule in other countries? Both the occupation of the South African embassy and Randall Robinson's hunger strike over Haitian policy are compelling narratives. These two stories alone make the book worth reading.

The book also documents the warm family relationships Randall Robinson enjoyed. Growing up in materially impoverished conditions was never an excuse to underachieve. Randall Robinson makes it quite clear that strong family values are needed and nurtured by all races. The insight he provides into the daily life in many African countries stands in stark juxtaposition to the common stereotypes of dumb, lazy blacks. That Alexander Haig could "beat tom-toms" during White House cabinet sessions on Africa is appalling for its ignorance. Many African countries are slowly and assiduously building democratic societies, more than can be said for Mr Haig's atavistic contributions.

Overall I'd recommend this book as fascinating reading. Randall Robinson is a shining example of the power of an individual to change America and the world.

This is an angry book by an angry man. It makes me angry to read it. Not because it is an angry man's angry book, but because it is the sad description of the continued failures of US foreign policy towards African and Caribbean countries and of the stalled process of truly equal opportunities of blacks and whites in the US.

Maybe it is this "machinery" of white-dominated politics that I - being a (white) foreigner in the US - had never heard of Randall Robinson before. The story of his life is impressive and full of open and sublimal encounters of racism in everyday's life. His analysis of the influence of minorities on policy making sounds like a resignation, but describes probably the situation rather well.

I encourage the Amazon customers to dig into this book. However, I did not grant a full five-star rating because I had hoped that I could find a perspective how to improve the situation of blacks and whites (and all other minorities) living together in this melting pot USA. Not that I want a "happy ending" - of which there is none (not yet) - but finally, it's up to us to make it happen?!

Dr. Randall Robinson is a valued member in the African American community, he selflessly placed his life on the line many times for the empowerment of his people, not just for African Americans but for Africans (Black people) throughout the Diaspora, this book outlines a few of those occasions. South Africa owes a debt to him an a few other African American congressmen for taking a stand and making a profound difference.

Without a doubt, had it not been for the efforts of Randall Robinson et al, I would not be surprised if South Africa would still be suffering from the ills of Apartheid today.

I'm extremely proud that I had the opportunity to buy the book, I'm extremely proud that I had the opportunity to read the book, and I'm extremely proud that his inspirational message of Black empowerment is still with me today (I quoted it just this week).

Is Defending the Spirit a memoir, a history lesson, or an objective critique? It's all these things. Among men like my father, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King, Jr., Randall Robinson has become one of my heroes. He has managed to make US foreign policy accessible. Sadly, the bliss of ignorance is gone and in it's wake is the question 'why are we treated so bad?'

"Defending The Spirit" was extremely enlightening and at the same time painful for me to read. I applaud the lifetime dedication and courage of Mr. Robinson 's commitment to a worthy cause. South Africa,s exclusion and distancing of the very people who struggled and fought for their freedom brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine the hurt experienced by Mr. Robinson.

I am an African American fully aware, I thought, of the racism that exists in this country - my country, but reading about the extent of government and corporate manipulation and support of apartheid and inhumanity comes as a direct rejection of me. It is disheartening to know that so many in the country I call home would be happy if I simply did not exist.

I can only agree with Bill Cosby, "This is a very important book that should be read by everyone in America".

I'm on the cusp of my 62nd birthday. I've read countless books and this book, Defending the Spirit, will have a lasting impact on me for the rest of my life. No need for me to echo the praises already uttered I simply want to say thank you Randall Robinson for sharing intimate antidotes on your life, your family, and for your honest and frank discussion of race and power. "Power never losses it pauses".