Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence (Paperback)

by Keli Goff (Author)
Key Phrases: younger black voters, young black voters, most important black leader, Party Crashing, African American, Democratic Party (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
According to Goff, a former intern for Sen. Hillary Clinton and campaign manager for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the black vote is becoming more elusive and unpredictable in today's political landscape. Goff's first book explores the transformation of the African-American voting bloc in the U.S. The author argues that what was once a cohesive political unit is now a diffuse coalition divided across myriad social, political and economic lines. Unlike their parents, who have historically held fast to the Democratic Party, younger African-Americans are becoming increasingly independent voters. Examining this generational split in terms of proximity to the civil rights movement, Goff finds that the bond forged between the Democratic Party and the African-American community may have lost its relevance to many younger African-Americans today. The author fleshes out several reasons for this: the split over social issues like gay marriage and abortion, the loss of cohesive, unifying leadership in the African-American community, the First Black President Bill Clinton proving a tough Democratic act to follow and the waning Democratic commitment to black churches. Goff proves herself a savvy political analyst, an adept cultural critic and a talented journalist, culling from sources as diverse as political polls, Chris Rock's standup comedy and interviews with politicians and ordinary citizens alike. She makes a persuasive argument that the black vote is becoming an imaginary concept: while Democrats take it for granted, Republicans don't bother to work for it. The result is disenfranchisement. (Mar.)
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From Booklist
*Starred Review* Young black voters are growing up and going in a different—more independent—direction than their parents, according to Goff, political analyst and frequent guest on CNN and Fox News. She sees parallels with the political evolution of immigrants from liberals wanting sympathy for the downtrodden to conservatives wanting to protect their gains. But for young African Americans, the picture is complicated by the long history of racism. Goff examines the growth of the black middle and upper classes and the influence of black culture on broader American culture that has produced a new generation not easily defined politically. Comedian Chris Rock, for example, with his opposition to higher taxes and support for legalized prostitution, defies categorization. Goff also examines the new direction represented by Barack Obama and what the shifting perspective of the post–civil rights generation will mean to the future of American politics. Goff draws on numerous research studies and interviews with political activists and operatives, scholars, and voters themselves to document this shift. She also brings strong cultural and social analysis—from the lack of a single unifying experience on a par with the civil rights movement to the advancement of black power brokers from Oprah Winfrey to hip-hop moguls—to explain the growing disconnect. --Vanessa Bush

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Basic Civitas Books (February 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 046500332X
• ISBN-13: 978-0465003327
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #738,526 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for All the Political Junkies Out There, March 3, 2008

By	Gwen R. Cooper (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For decades, the Democratic Party has been able to count on almost the entire black vote. But as we progress beyond the Civil Rights Movement, and as African-Americans join the ranks of the middle class in increasing numbers, an undivided black vote is no longer something Democrats can take for granted...or so argues Keli Goff in her thought-provoking "Party Crashing."

Goff's analysis is lively, whip-smart, and comes from an entirely new perspective than the latest rash of political tomes we've seen. Her writing style is engaging and keeps you moving from page to page as she examines everything from economic trends to voter patterns to pop culture, and questions whether and how the Democratic Party can make itself relevant to a younger generation of black voters--or fail to do so at their own peril. Goff moves seamlessly between groundbreaking original research and up-close-and-personal interviews with iconic figures such as Colin Powell and Russell Simmons. In an election year that has seen our first viable African-American presidential candidate, and in which younger voters are already turning out in record numbers, this book couldn't be more timely.

Want to know how "Generation Obama" is trending? The answers are here--and they're not what you'd expect. If you're someone who will be personally affected by the outcome of the 2008 presidential election (and, let's face it, that's ALL of us), this book is a must-read!

4.0 out of 5 stars Get rid of labels, March 24, 2008

By	BC Planning - See all my reviews

As seen with the current Presidential campaign of Barack Obama there is a generational difference among African Americans when it comes to politics. As Party Crashing points out, today's younger black voter has different values and beliefs then their older generation. Race is no longer the only issue for younger black voters, while it is still a major issue there are other factors which younger black voters feel are just as important such as the economy, the war in Iraq and the environment.

The book points out repeatedly that the same issues and struggles of say Harry Belafonte in 1960 would be the same as any other black person who may have been a maid or a bus driver. No matter one stature back then, everyone faced the same amount of discrimination. Today, someone like Lebron James would not have the same issues and struggles in common with a bus driver. The black experience today is more varied than ever and everyone today does not share the same experience.

The book also points out the rise of the young black independent voter and how the Democratic Party is beginning to lose control of this demographic that for decades had been part of their base. While no one foresees large numbers of black voters heading back to the Republican Party where the black vote started before the Civil Rights Era, many young black voters feel that they have been taken advantage of by the Democratic Party and the book cites several examples of this.

Another interesting facet that the books points out is the declining influence of older Civil Rights Era stalwarts have on younger black voters. As pointed out in the book many Civil Rights leaders are having a tough time connecting with younger voters and many outright resent the new crop of younger black politicians who did not go through their experience. As time moves on it will be interesting to see who will become the new political face for Black America...will it be Barack Obama, the great uniter? For some older members of the black community who feel uniters will assimilate black struggle, that is a scary thought.


For those interested in the future of young black voters or the future of a large segment of voters who will most likely shape urban policy, agendas and laws I encourage them to read this insightful book by Keli Goff.