Race Manners for the 21st Century: Navigating the Minefield Between Black and White Americans in an Age of Fear [Paperback]

Bruce A Jacobs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2007

Talking about race relations is never easy. Bruce A. Jacobs has written a book that shows us how we can begin--not with lofty abstractions or policy arguments, but with practicality and directness. Completely revised and updated, this is a candid assessment of, and guide to, improving race relations, a book Kirkus Reviews called "shocking," and Publishers Weekly termed "a frank, intelligent guide."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a frank, intelligent guide intended for both whites and blacks, Jacobs explores the resentments that thwart a genuine dialogue on race. He lays bare the "wildly, even hysterically" exaggerated fear of African-American males held by many whites, and he urges white people to recognize that a racial double standard exists in law enforcement. Jacobs, a poet and essayist, describes how, as an African-American, he grew up surrounded by racial hatred in predominantly white, middle-class Rochester, N.Y. Nevertheless, he cautions that many blacks have succumbed to a siege mentality, judging all whites as harshly and as broadly as they feel themselves to be judged. While supporting affirmative action, he acknowledges that this policy comes with a price involving sacrifice by some whites for the greater good. He urges blacks to gain as much competence as possible in Standard English, while at the same time deploring the negative attitude many whites harbor toward speakers of vernacular "black English." Whether he is discussing interracial love, ethnic jokes, African-American TV shows or Elvis Presley's borrowings from black music, Jacobs challenges preconceptions and entrenched myths. Agent, Sheree Bykofsky.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-Defining manners as "consideration reached through interchange," Jacobs provides an accessible and inspiring response to the contemporary American climate of grievances and attempts at public dialogue about race. Sorting his discussion into such practical venues of public and social life as maneuvering through the streets, analyzing the dating patterns of strangers, telling ethnic jokes, and shopping at the local supermarket, the author consistently reminds both black and white readers that stereotyping is harmful to the stereotyper as well as to the stereotyped; that history informs attitudes; and that cultural change comes through interpersonal exchange, argument and consideration, not through ignorance, fear of speaking up, or failure to listen. Students, teachers, and others who care about where we are heading-and where we have been-as a culture and as a political state-need to read this book. And, having read it, they will want to talk about it; expand upon it; and consider the ideas, fears, and hopes for further interchange that it elicits.
Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 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: 288 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing; Rev Upd edition (January 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559708042
• ISBN-13: 978-1559708043
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,123,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all Americans, black and white, May 17, 1999

By 

M. Atamian "Read-a-holic" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Race Manners (Hardcover)

This book, as the author states, is really the first of its kind. Mr Jacobs, an African-American, eloquently portrays the feelings of black and white Americans in normal, everyday situations. What makes this book so unique is the unbiased and unbitter perspective he shares from both sides, and how we as Americans can better understand the minefield of race relations. If you are white, read this book. Ditto if you are black. You'll learn a lot, as this white man did.

Sad to say, but I found this book ONLY in the African-American section of a bookstore. This is an ironic twist for a book designed for all people, regardless of color.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading for all races, July 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Race Manners (Hardcover)

The author does an excellent job of walking through the minefields of race. I think his writing makes all races uncomfortabe. The Venusian chapter and his explanation of "ethnic" gave me pause. I didn't always agree with what was said, but it was said with such boldness and conviction until I had to re-read many of the lines. This book should be on the syllabus of all first-year college students. Reading this book wil make anyone realize that we all have racist tendencies. A wonderful read!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This superlative book is essential reading., November 23, 1999

By 

mailto:[e-mail] (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Race Manners (Hardcover)

Race Manners matters! Bruce A. Jacob's masterful book creates a safe space for readers of all colors to explore their attitudes, assumptions, fears and hopes about this complex topic.

Like a daring tightrope walker, Mr. Jacobs sways at times to one side or the other, presenting with insight and compassion the views of whites and blacks on interracial dating, affirmative action, humor, ethnicity, etc.

While no one can speak for "all whites" or "all blacks" Mr. Jacobs is an astute observer who collects examples of white and black behaviour and attitudes that ring true in the larger population.

When so many voices are howling invective in the racial wilderness, it is soothing to have Mr. Jacobs bring the conversation into the parlor, inviting the reader to discuss this incendiary topic over a nice cup of tea. Do not think for a moment that civility is an excuse for skirting hot issues. It is not.

By addressing his readers as adults capable of civil conversation, Mr. Jacobs points to one of our greatest opportunities for healing the cultural warfare.

By putting race conversation squarely where it belongs, in our everyday and interractions with the people around us, Mr. Jacobs reminds us that the power to undo the evils of racism come from everyday acts as much as from political policy. Like ripples in a pool, the way we treat each other in elevators and busses, in conversation at home and at work, affect the racial climate in which we all swim.