He Talk Like a White Boy [Hardcover]

Joseph C. Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2006

As a young student, Joseph Phillips once overheard someone say of him, "He talk like a white boy!" The Denver native never thought that speaking correctly would cause others to question his authenticity as an African-American. Little did he know what lay in his future. His choices in music, politics, faith, and family have given rise to many accusations of his not being "black enough.” As an actor, Joseph has encountered even more pointing fingers, this time for not being liberal enough for Hollywood. With a frank voice and a loving heart, this brilliant, conservative and outspoken African-American man presents a series of funny and thought-provoking essays that speak to the simple fact that authenticity is far more complicated that one’s choice of words or music

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Phillips is not your typical Republican: he's a television actor, a sometime stay-at-home dad—and a proud black man. At his best, riffing on the difficulties of not conforming to stereotypes in a nation that refuses to shed them, Phillips is thought provoking and moving. With a memoirist's eye for incident, he writes about sitting out eighth-grade pickup football games, caught between the team of white boys he'd grown up with and the team of black boys who complained he lived in "Honkyville."He's acute on the absurdity of racial perceptions, as when he gets scripts that call for "an African-American neurosurgeon with street smarts." But his political essays often read like blog entries, heavy on outrage and rhetoric (the latter sometimes snappy), and feather-light on nuance and evidence (the latter sometimes dubious). They may draw cheers from those who share his faith in G.W. Bush, but won't persuade those who don't. Phillips's opinions (e.g., on faith, character and the pitfalls of affirmative action) may be the driving force behind his writing, but it's his lived experience that is likely to persuade readers of all colors—black, white, red or blue—that he has something to say. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Phillips, probably best known as the straitlaced son-in-law on the Bill Cosby Show, but lately a columnist and commentator on public radio, reflects on his life and politics from the perspective of a black conservative in Hollywood. He offers an honest look at his personal journey, exploring areas of character, family, faith, idealism, and identity. Phillips was raised in predominately white or integrated areas of Denver, where his diction earned him criticism from some blacks for talking "like a white boy." He recounts other personal experiences in an integrated setting that set him apart from other blacks in the post-civil rights era. A child of divorce, Phillips was also forced to cope with his mother's suicide. His father, a doctor, was stern, and the two didn't develop a close relationship until Phillips became an adult. His struggle to reconcile his life with his ideals led Phillips to become a conservative Republican and to a personal analysis of what it means to be authentic. Readers interested in different perspectives on race and identity will enjoy this revealing memoir. Vernon Ford
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Running Press (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762423994
• ISBN-13: 978-0762423996
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,138,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Looking into a mirror, July 12, 2006

By 

Ronald E. Miller (Huntingtown, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: He Talk Like a White Boy (Hardcover)

I just finished "He Talk Like A White Boy," and I am moved beyond words by what Joseph C. Philips has written. As a black man who moves more easily in white circles, not necessarily by choice but because of the fixed notions of politics, race and culture that exist in the African-American community, I feel like I've walked in his shoes. This is the first book I've read from cover to cover in a long time because I found myself enthralled by his story, which is so much like my own. His courage, candor and eloquence only made it more compelling. I sincerely hope that this book flies off the shelves and fattens his bank account. He deserves the financial blessings that come from a work well done. Thank you!

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph C. Phillips Rocks This Book!, June 6, 2006

By 

Angel "of "The Rogue Angel"" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: He Talk Like a White Boy (Hardcover)

I couldn't wait to get my hands on He Talk Like A White Boy by Joseph C. Phillips. As a fan of his work as an actor, I was interested in what he had to say. I was also intrigued by the title. As the mother of a black daughter who is told that she "talks like a white girl" ... I wanted to hear what he had to say about it and wondered if it was similar to what I had to say about it. It was.

While I was interested in the book for the reasons stated, I have to say Mr. Phillips has a lot more to say and he knows how to say it. He can definitely turn a phrase. His writing style keeps your attention and I caught myself laughing out loud, nodding my head in agreement, and even reading particular passages out loud to anyone that would stand still and listen. I even handed the book over to my oldest daughter at one point just so she could read what I had been saying all along about boys and their relationships with girls ... but from a man's perspective.

Now, of course, Mr. Phillips did have some things to say that I didn't agree with. We didn't agree on Bill Clinton or George W. Bush. We somewhat agreed when it came to Ronald Reagan and we agreed with each other completely when it came to Colin Powell. Even though I don't agree with some of his politics and was kind of discouraged to read some of the same old Republican talking points, I really did enjoy the book and what Mr. Phillips had to say. He also reminded me that while we won't always agree with someone on everything, there is still value in their opinions. Unless it is regarding Bill Clinton and then I will just have to call hogwash, hogwash. ;)

He Talk Like A White Boy is not just about politics and race. It is about family, love, faith, community, and a multitude of other topics. He writes about what it means to be a man and a father. He writes about ethics and values. He writes about honesty and commitment. You will definitely find yourself agreeing with Mr. Phillips on much of what he has to say, conservative or not. Honestly, I don't think his views have as much to do with conservative ideology as it does with just plain old-fashioned common sense. I warn you, this book is hard to put down. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He Talk Like a White Boy, August 5, 2006

By 

D.S. White (Whitehall, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: He Talk Like a White Boy (Hardcover)

Reflections on Faith, Family, Politics, and Authenticity

"...I was determined that if I didn't learn to like rap, I would at least develop a working knowledge of the music so I could discuss it intelligently. I dashed out to the music store and bought CDs by Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, and a list of other artists who were hot at the time. The only ground rule I set was that I had to play each album all the way through at least once. As an illustration of my lack of commitment, I soon decided that playing an album all the way through didn't necessarily mean I had to be in the same room while it played. Strictly speaking, so long as the album played all the way through. I didn't even have to be in the apartment. I will never forget putting NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) on the stereo. I almost broke my neck sprinting across my apartment to turn the volume down when 'F**k the Police' began blasting through the building."


The above quote is one of the many reasons completion of this book was mandatory (for me). By its very title, this book makes a provocative statement which is ably reinforced by its content.

The book is a collection of essays divided into the following themes:


- Character
- Family
- Faith
- Idealism; and
- Identity

The author's love of his country is interwoven throughout the book. His dispair for the incremental demise of the family rings loud and clear as well as his battle to be all he can be: as a man who is black, is educated, is a conservative, is a husband, is a man of God--but most of all as a man who wants to be a good father.

He declares his political views with such conviction, that whether you agree or disagree with his stance, you're left with a sense of admiration for someone who is not afraid to stand tall and proud for their beliefs. At times the weight of the author's burden to push himself to the next level, while wading against the tide of unpopularity of his political beliefs, exhibits itself as a tad overbearing or maybe even a bit pompous. But right at the point that you're about to say, "Enough already," he pokes fun at himself with a scene like the one above which compels you to laughter; (out loud on a crowded bus) or another moves you to tears, (again on a crowded bus) and yet another fills you with gratitude and pride in being an American. (Swelling of the chest thankfully not readily apparent on said crowded bus.)

This book does what a good book should: it prods you out of your sense of complacency with your accomplishments in life and causes you to question whether you're trying to be all you can be for God, man and country.

Rating:

This book earned 4 out 5 stars for humor, honesty, faith, marital perseverance, parenting efforts, and writing style. However, I would have liked to see a few less big words.

Recommendation:

I am glad to have had the opportunity to share a piece of the author's heart and soul. I encourage you to purchase yourself a copy.

"Joseph. Thanks for sharing."