Gospel Choirs: Psalms Of Survival In An Alien Land Called Home [Paperback]

Derrick Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 1997

Through parables and essays, Derrick Bell offers an eloquent work of social commentary on the permanence of racism.“Gospel,” says Derrick Bell, “and particularly the gospel choir at its best, echoes the tempos of the soul searching for God’s peace in the midst of a hostile world.”Just like the songs of a gospel choir, the pieces in this book give voice to the hardships faced by African Americans. Through allegorical stories and fictional encounters, dreams, and dialogues, it presents fresh perspectives on the different issues that concern Blacks, such as the message of The Bell Curve, the Contract with America, the media’s handling of Black men, and corporate greed’s responsibility for today’s rising “White rage” and subsequent “Black blame.” Despite their tough subjects, however, these stories resound with laughter and compassion and a continuing theme of Christian love. Ultimately, like the gospel songs, they offer African Americans hope and direction as they travel the racist world they inhabit.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Gospel Choirs is the third in a series of parables and essays by Derrick Bell that shed light on one of the most perplexing issues of our day--racism. Bell, a law school professor and activist, mixes dreams and dialogues through his own voice and that of the fictional Geneva Crenshaw, a civil rights lawyer of the 1960s. And it's not just racism that Bell ponders. Some of the writings question African-Americans' views on sexuality and sexism. But the issue of race in America is Bell's specialty and one he addresses sharply here with discussions of corporate policies, the fears of whites, and the need for black unity. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Can gospel music-emanating from black culture but speaking with a universal optimism-be employed to find solutions to the poverty and racial hostility that constitute black America's "greatest crisis since the end of Reconstruction?" In this innovative collection of essays and parables that include his fictional lawyer Geneva Crenshaw (this is the third of his Geneva Chronicles, after Faces at the Bottom of the Well), legal scholar Bell uses storytelling and gospel music references to attempt new insights. His style sometimes devolves into didactic speechifying or predictable dissing (taking on Rush Limbaugh types), but he makes resonant points. He criticizes what he sees as the spurious logic behind the Contract with America and The Bell Curve. He reminds us of the rich legacy of those, like Paul Robeson, who dissented from black leadership. He imagines himself in a race riot, after which fellow blacks find liberation by reinterpreting the racist slogan "Nigger Free" as symbol rather than curse. Most interesting are his characters' modest proposals for a monitor to tax America's use of "cultural expressions of subordinated peoples of color," and for a shield to ensure nonexploitive sex among black folk. In the end, Bell's somewhat scattershot approach to issues is more metaphorical than practical, but that's why he's chosen this alternative style, and his voice still has wisdom. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (May 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465024130
• ISBN-13: 978-0465024131
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,569,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fine entry in a compelling series., April 6, 1998

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Candi"ed" Notes (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gospel Choirs: Psalms Of Survival In An Alien Land Called Home (Paperback)

Once again Derrick Bell artfully weaves fiction in to the fabric of what are essentially life lessons on race in America. As an avid Bell fan I was familiar with his storytelling style and was not disappointed by this latest entry. The test for me with any book is whether there are quotes or sections which stand independent in my mind and can be easily identified with or transplanted to other settings. As I find so often with Mr. Bell's books, there are several intances where this is true. As indicated by the book's title, here he uses frequent references to gospel passages and with much success. Given the role that gospel music has played in African-American history, I am surprised that its use as a metaphorical agent, isn't employed more often. I highly recommend this book to the Derrick Bell fan and newcomer alike. And to the newcomers I say run don't walk to pick up his earlier works in this series - "And We are not Saved" and "Faces at the Bottom of the Well". Its well worth the trip.