Customer Reviews

The Envy of the World: On Being a Black Man in America

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The Envy of the World" is perhaps the most powerful material I've read this year. In these pages is a wealth of knowledge that validates the struggle of African-American men and describe what it is to be a Black man in America. Hard-hitting, with a soft glove, the book details factual, insightful and hopeful accounts of the challenges and triumphs of African American men. Cose provides a critical analysis of the role that racism, stereotypes and failed government and penal institutions play in the daily lives and experiences of American Black men. How the acceptance of those stereotypes has lead to self-destructive and extreme behavior in men of color in general and Black men in particular. This is a book that should be read by the masses but is certainly required for African-American men. Cose has articulated the commonalties of the Black male's (rich or poor, young or old) experience in America with language that is concise, accessible and fully loaded. Empowering in tone and spirit, "The Envy of the World" is not always an ideal position to be in; that which is envied ought to be free. In a move to liberate the mind and souls of Black men, Cose wraps up his report with twelve rules that are invaluable to our daily lives and ongoing growth. This is certainly the best purchase I've made this year and I will be distributing gift copies for some time to come.

Ellis Cose has written a searing perspective on what it feels like to be a black man in America. His list of the twelve things you must know to survive and thrive in America is profound. Though written to alter the tide of young black men succumbing to racism, rhetoric and defeatism, the words are beneficial for anyone. For example, "Complain all you like about the raw deal you have gotten in life, but don't expect those complaints to get you anywhere," - and - "Even if you have to fake it, show some faith in yourself," - or- "Don't expect competence and hard work alone to get you the recognition or rewards you deserve.. for any organization, government, private business, educational or other, is essentially a social body that rewards those fully engaged in the game. To the extent we try to hold ourselves above that process, we end up losing."- and "Recognize that being true to yourself is not the same as being true to a stupid sterotype." Candid, insightful, loaded with wisdom gleaned from interviews with men in prison trying to save other human beings from repeating the same mistakes. "The Envy of The World" is worth reading, sharing and discussing with friends. I did. Author Cose offers one more hard truth- " Don't be too proud to ask for help, particularly from those who are wiser and older."Five stars is not enough! Is anyone out there listening?

The Envy of the World... On Being a Black Man in America by Ellis Cose
Like It Is
By M.C. Beamon

"Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes."
Two Gentlemen of Verona, act v. sc. 2
Shakespeare

Even Shakespeare realized the unique draw and power of the black man. The black man has the ability to sway women, but moreover, in recently history, he can change the landscape of American business. And, yet Black men, on a whole, are failing to take the reigns and dominate in this society. So, I, like Ellis Cose, wondered, do black men know their power and potential?

"The Envy of the World...On Being a Black Man in America" by Ellis Cose is a book that bestows both praise and criticism on black men. Reading much like an encyclopedia and then advice text, the book blends concrete examples with practical advice to remind and then guide black men towards a positive future. Quite often within the pages, Cose takes time provide a historical framework from which the modern black man has evolved: "We are freer than ever to shake off society's invisible chains and to go place our parents would not even imagine."

The most startling portion of the book is when the raw statistics are introduced, which indicate that black men are not living up to this potential. Rather, they are at a devastatingly high risk of failure by both their own hands and the reaction of society to them:

52 % of black males, according to a Washington Post poll, feel they have been stopped unfairly.
11% of all black American males in their 20's and 30's are in prison.
Between 1980-1996, suicide rate among black males 15-19 has doubled.

Quite obviously, I am not a black man, so the raw numbers indicating their demise, imprisonment (both real and imagined), impacts me indirectly. But, as a black woman, their lack of self-awareness and attainment affects me in my role as a sister, an aunt, and a future wife and mother.

As a society, we reaffirm the worth of women by taking time out, even if it is for one brief month to remind them of their contribution to society. Should not the same or greater effort be put forth for African-American males who are flailing in a climate that is now more receptive to them than ever before? So, why are they faltering? According to Ellis Cose, one of the reasons is that the street quite often seduces black men.

Cose notes they are also bombarded with negative images of themselves on a constant basis. "The very idea that there are black trait and white traits, that there is a black way of behaving that is different from the white way of behaving, always seems to leave us on the losing side of the divide."

What makes "The Envy of the World...On Being a Black Man in America," a must have for African-American households is the list of hard truths at the end of the book, which delves further into what causes the shortcomings of black men:

Complain all you like about the new deal you've gotten in life, but don't expect those complaints to get you anywhere.
Expect to do better than the world expects of you, expect to live in a bigger world than the one you see.
Complain all you like about the raw deal you've gotten in life, but don't expect those complaints to get you anywhere.
Play the race card carefully at your own risk.

As a people, we need to face these hard truths and lead our black men to a higher plain. Cose attempts to do so in a way, I have not read prior. The "truths" are not only applicable to black men, but after reading about the self-destructive tendencies, it certainly is necessary for black men to take heed now.

Despite all of the adversity facing black men, Cose's book, "The Envy of the World...On Being a Black Man in America," begins with a quote, which should inspire all black men to look towards the future with hope, pride, and a resolve to advance their race:

"I mean I don't know what the fuss is about. I mean everything in the world loves you... It looks to me like you the envy of the world."
Toni Morrison
"Sula"

For more information on this book and others, please read my columns and commentaries on the following websites: doenetwork.com; netnoir.com; theblackmarket.com; seeingblack.com; northwesturbanperspectives.com; newbookreviews.com; and weekly on premyier.com.

The Envy of the World: On being a Black man in America is a well done book that gives the reader a view on what it's like to be black or if you are black helps you to understand some of the issues that you're facing. At the end of the book in "The twelve things you must know" he gives some important points that I think Blacks should pay close attention to. He also makes great points in the "Too cool for School" chapter. He brings out important points in the book, like the fact that the quality of education that Blacks receive is far lower than that of whites. Also, the important distinction of the inner city school and the rich suburban school. There are two different types of education going on here and if some people expect the inner city school kid to compete with what the rich suburban kid has, you're really living in a fantasy world. Sadly, the people who would most benefit from this book, probably won't even read it or probably won't even hear of this book. I tend to agree with most of what Ellis Cose has to say in this book and I think it is a book that every person should read to view the struggles of the Black man. A lot of people say that in essence, you're blaming society. However, if the evidence is supporting the claim, who can deny the facts?

Ellis Cose, a Newsweek Columnist, penned a provocative if not intrusive book on why Black men are feared, admired, shunned, and despised in a perceived racist society...and how they can overcome maladies that have allowed views of inferiority to proliferate. The Envy Of The World: On Being A Black Man In America is a superb book! Well written and full of insight, its significance should be appreciated within the style that is was written. It explains with clarity the challenges facing black men in twenty-first century America and offer ways out of the defeatist-type attitudes and despair that wreak havoc in the black community. It's my feeling, and the author concurs, that black men have never had more opportunity for success than they do today. But are the resources and said opportunities being adequately utilized to the fullest? Are the adversities, misconceptions, and stereotypical assessments that White America typically view blacks enough to warrant change? What steps need to be initiated to uplift the black man in this society?

These questions not only are answered, but show progressively some of the experiences that are faced by others trying to find solutions to the aforementioned, acknowledging various systemic obstacles that tend to stifle change. Sequenced in six chapters in his classic interview style, Mr Cose offers and supports his theory with reductive reasoning why they ARE the envy of the world. This is done by garnering the experiences of a broad range of black men, which culminates with 'Twelve Things You Must Know To Survive and Thrive In America'. He concludes by offering this gem: "There is more leeway than there has ever been in history for you to become whatever you would be; for you to accomplish whatever you dread; for you to escape the prisons of stereotypes and caricatures that our forefathers could not avoid" This in itself should be the impetus and reason to want to read such a book that seem to be the perfect anecdote for the future of a race.

Ellis Close uses his experiences and the experiences of several other black men from all walks of life to examine the black male experience in America. This is by no means just a whine or a rant. Close has a lot of things to say to black men about the importance of education and the folly of the "cool pose". It's a short book but an important one. I've purchased copies for my two teenaged nephews.

Kimberley Lindsay Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men

Ellis Cose has done it again. He has constructed a provocative and thought-provoking piece that moves across racial and gender lines. Cose, you have to understand is a strong proponent of education. Of course the principal message here is being delivered to young African American males; but anyone with an ounce of empathy and a clear understanding of the human condition could not help but be moved by the message of hope Cose delivers. (The author's spirituality permeates the essay). The bottom line is that Americans (read that all) have opportunities that citizens of other societies simply do not have. Cose challenges African American men to dream and live large. He opines that while "we often have very good reasons to believe the educational deck is stacked against us and...as justified as that bitterness may be, clinging to it will only hurt us in the end...Griping about the state of society, therapeutic though that may be, has its limits as a life-improvement strategy." He points out that whether African Americans take advantage of opportunity or do not the world is not waiting. He deftly provides examples of youth who stepped out of the trappings of a seemingly dead-end existence (out of the box) and stepped up to higher calling and finally to success: to a place where they were able to realize and experience the joy of living in their own skin. In asserting that African American males are uniquely situated to define their place in the world, Cose provides a précis of twelve hard truths that may help them deal with the competition they face in order to achieve success in America. To find the secret: read the book; follow the commandments; and be persistent in demanding what is rightfully and legally yours. Like Ellis Cose, this book is a huge winner. Bravo!

Thank God! Where have you been Mr. Cose? This work is a breath of fresh air. Toni Morrison is quoted here. I tripped over this book by accident in a retail bookstore. Thought I would read a page or two. Ended up reading the entire book in the store! I purchased the only 3 copies from the shelf. Poignant, informative, well-written, focused, concise. Every Black man and boy in America should read this book. It's an informative read for Black women, too, especially Black mothers.

In general, I don't care for Ellis Cose's writing. (I guess I don't think that journalists make good book authors.) I groan at the fact that every time there is an article about Black Americans in Newsweek, it always has to be pinned by Mr. Cose. But I have to give it up to the man this time: I enjoyed this book. In "Envy", Cose asks why black men have so much cultural currency in this country, yet have almost no financial, academic, or institutional power whatsoever. (Cornel West already asked this question in "Race Matters" years ago, but I digress.) He deals with this question as it relates to school, the prison complex, and fatherhood. At the end, he offers solutions for Black men. This book is both politics and self-help, in the same fashion as bell hooks or David Abalos. Cose really argues persuasively that brothers can think differently and choose new directions. To a small extent, Cose portrays black males as a monolithic group, with the exception of class backgrounds. (For example, he says nothing about Muslim brothers or gay brothers.) However, this book was very Latino-inclusive. I think East Coast Caribbeans should peep this book as much as any African-American male might. It's funny that Cose's table of contents is almost identical to Jawanza Kunjufu's counterpart in "State of Emergency: We Must Save Black Boys", but the former is excellent while the latter is trash. There are better books about black men out there. (Devon Carbrado and Don Belton have authored some, for example.) Still, this book was worthwhile. I would recommend it to any reader interested in black masculinity.

As a young, black, recent college graduate, I was inspired, enlightened, uplifted, and humbled by reading this book. It helped me to realize some truths and fallacies of my own existence. I am more than aware of what being a black man in America consists of. On the other hand I have shielded myself from certain aspects of life in order to protect my sanity and peace in such an unjust nation. I could relate to just about everything, if not everything this book touched on. Ellis Cose did a marvelous job in both exposing some defects in today's society and inspiring young blacks not to use them as a crutch, but to focus on the many opportunities society prevents us with. This is a great read for anyone.