Customer Reviews

Scam: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

In the early 20th century, Booker T.Washington had a premonition:

"There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs - partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose their grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs."

Sounds like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, and Louis Farrakhan to me.

Thus opens the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson's new book, "SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America" (WND Books, 2003). Peterson, founder and president of the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny (BOND) and author of "From Rage to Responsibility," lays into the modern day civil rights establishment in ways that would make even Rush Limbaugh wince. He shows the ways in which this "other class of coloured people" profits from black misery and racial strife just as Booker T. Washington described almost a century ago. In exposing modern day black "leadership" for what it truly is, the author's main thesis is that the problems of the black community are due to a lack of moral character and not racism. In other words, we no longer need leaders - we need change.

Peterson devotes an entire chapter on the abysmal failing of the NAACP and why that organization should be boycotted, showing how "the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization" is completely out of step with the needs of black America. Over 90% of black homicides in America are committed by other blacks, but instead of addressing the root causes of black-on-black crime, the NAACP absurdly blames gun manufacturers. The average black public high school graduate has in reality only an eighth-grade education, yet the NAAPC vehemently opposes school choice - a policy overwhelming supported by black parents. Over 70% of black babies in America are born out of wedlock, yet Julian Bond and Kweisi Mfume would prefer to tackle "more important" issues - such as the supposed lack of minorities on popular television shows. Peterson sums up his critique by concluding "If the NAACP were truly concerned about black issues, it would focus most of its attention on black-on-black crime, restoring morality in black men, and supporting policies that strengthen black families... But as these moves would increase the real-world welfare of blacks... the NAACP wants nothing to do with them." Ouch!

"SCAM" addresses how the fear of publicly being labeled "racist" causes many whites to hold their tongues when they see things run amuck in the black community (yet black liberals are given virtual carte blanche to publicly spew all manner of invective at whites and/or black conservatives). This fear prevents Americans from engaging in honest dialogue about race (think of the recent fallout over Rush Limbaugh's comments about NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb and you'll get the idea), and serves the interests of self-appointed black "leaders" and their liberal white sympathizers. As the average white person would rather be labeled a child molester than a racist, Peterson urges whites to no longer fall prey to such psychological bullying. (To wit, there is nothing wrong with the word "niggardly.")

BOND puts on the annual National Day of Repudiation of Jesse Jackson, so it is no surprise that the author saves the lion's share of his venom for the self-proclaimed "heir-apparent" to Dr. Martin Luther King. Citing investigative reporter Kenneth Timmerman's best-selling tell-all "Shakedown" (I still can't believe Jackson was brazen enough to take his pregnant mistress with him to the White House for a photo-op with then-President Clinton!), Peterson rips into this improperly ordained minister like a buzz saw. The author also discusses why he is presently suing Jackson and his associates for an alleged assault in December 2001 in Los Angeles. Peterson is not afraid to publicly challenge the black establishment, sometimes at considerable risk to his own safety.

To be sure, "SCAM" is more than just a stinging indictment against the modern-day civil rights establishment. The book is also a critically compassionate look at what is really plaguing the black community, in particular the plight of the black family, and what can and must be done to reverse the downward spiral in which many black men, women, and children find themselves. Peterson's concluding ten-point plan on how the black community can truly realize its full potential and achieve true spiritual freedom is worth of a full-length book in and of itself.

This is the story you dont hear in the media. If you think that Bill Cosby's recent speeches have any validity then this is the book for you. It has statistics that are absolutely frightening. If you think Bill Cosby's recent speeches are a myth, then this is also the book for you because you have been deceived. I know many Americans who blame their current problems on whites ... this book explains why that view is nonsense.

The out-of wedlock birthrate of black americans is over 70%, yet never a word about this from the NAACP or Mr. Jackson. This book gets a little emotive at times but is backed by many facts and statistics from a man who has been active to live what he preaches. A quick, informative read.

First off, I am black and proud to be so. Rev. Petersen's book is a breath of fresh air. He exposes black "leadership" as being in it for themselves. The past civil right leaders made sacrifices and weren't concerned about themselves, but looked to the future. Petersen points out how the current "leaders" really put their own self-interests first. My dad taught me that "you don't pull yourself up by putting someone else down" -something these "leaders" have not learned.

He is gives strong evidence for stating that the lack of real leadership by black men is one of the key reasons for the problems in the black community (which unfortunately may be a foreshadowing of general American society). He identifies that racism, though it exists (and frankly will never go away) is not the cause of the black man's plight, but rather used as an excuse for our moral failings. I'm tired of seeing these leaders rush to defend criminals, and define bad behavior as part of "black culture", while putting down blacks who have achieved leadership but have different political views. I always though that a true sign of how black people have advanced is our ability to be believe in different things and respect each others beliefs.

The writing style, while not outstanding, is easy to read. Petersen may seem too repetitive on some points, but many of them need to be repeated. In summary, I think Petersen makes a strong case for not only exposing the hyprocrisy of these "leaders", but showing how we as a people can better improve our lot by first taking responsibility for our own actions, and then working to improve them.

Scam is one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life. Rev. Peterson does a tremendous job in presenting facts and truths about the plight of black Americans that the civil rights establishment is in denial of to keep our people in mental bondage. He challenges the group identity, that all blacks have to believe, vote, and think alike and why we often behave like we do. The standard is biblical morality and personal responsibility. I'm a black pastor, who's Republican, and I've read excerpts of this book while preaching sermons, particularly at Men's Conferences so black men will know that they've been deceived and have been loyal to culture and not to truth. It is the truth that we know that makes us free. Every black person in America who's literate should read this book. It will challenge and change your life where other liberal blacks will not have to do your thinking for you, but you can think for yourself.

Bennie E. Calloway, III
Douglas, Georgia

( I am an Indian ( Asian ) immigrant who chose USA to be my country. I do not consider myself to be an American-Indian/Indian/Indian-American etc. )
What is surprising me is the fact that a lot of the mentalities Peterson mentions are also prevalent in the Indian communities - victim of racism mentality, Indocentric views, hatred towards whites etc.
Most of them will openly say in an Indian gathering that "Im here just for the money. Otherwise I hate this place". ( Like Peterson notices they say another thing when Americans are present - "I am a liberal" )
What is hypocritical about the Indian community is the fact that though most of them will give you enough testimonies to prove themselves to be the victims of racism. On the other hand they will never say anything good about blacks. Their complaint about racism is only limited to them being treated as equals by whites. Very few of them will allow their children to date a Black kid.
This is a book every Indian should read.
Not only is this a brilliantly written book, but also a very well researched one.
Obviously Peterson and his efforts with his BOND organization are very laudable.
I am also writing a check today to BOND.
I can only wish that there will be at least one leader with half the courage of Peterson, in the Indian community who will have the guts to call a spade a spade.

Until recently thats been the practice. Well Reverand Peterson takes the establishment and black leaders to task in this book.

In his view, People like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton PROFIT much more from a black community that is mired in anger. People who feel like they have no voice will of course look for a leader and men like Jackson are only too happy to keep giving them reasons to be angry, then take their money and fulfill the role self created role of "Black Leader"

The public schools he says are not teaching kids, but breaking them away from families while at the same time not teaching them any of the skills kids need to suceed in life. This also keeps people from escaping poverty, leaving intact an angry poor community ready to vote for politicians who cash in on that anger and then reward the Teachers Unions by keeping the policies that ruined the schools in place. Again, all with the support of the very wealthy black leadership. It is a facinating read and Reverand Peterson writes with a passion for the subject that will keep you engrosed.

I recomend the book especially because it expresses opinions not normaly heard in the grander political discussions but which, if you look at pols taken in poor neighborhoods on school vouchers, may be more common than anybody thought. Under the surface true but no doubt there.

The title of this book compelled me to read it. As a black female at Howard University in D.C., I'm part of an audience that black "leaders" seek often. I've never been an follower of this so-called leadership, and I definitely don't consider Jesse Jackson to be a leader of anything in my world. I figured I'd agree with most of Peterson's criticisms of this man.

I don't consider myself a complete liberal, but I'm not a conservative. I call myself a moderate. Jesse Lee Peterson is a stark conservative (not many blacks are), and I was little skeptical about reading his views. A great professor told me that we learn the most from those who don't agree with, so I gave "Scam" a go.

First, this book is so opinionated. Peterson can really go off the deep end sometimes with personal misgivings. He seems convinced that blacks are this incompetent, greedy, lazy group of people who find the Devil personified in the white man. Yes, there are some black people who are lazy, and I can say this because I have an inside look on that. And some are incompetent, too--but not because they're black. But I'm not going to bash my race without offering concrete solutions. Peterson does more bashing and theorizing than anything else.

Just about everyone knows about the crime, miseducation, and illegitimacy that plagues some black families (and I don't believe there are illegitimate children--just illegitimate parents). Patterson goes on and on and on with the "blacks are lazy" bit, and it annoyed me.

What ticked me off even more is that he seems to have some allegiance to whites. When he says things like, "They gave us jobs, they gave us opportunity, they even gave us their women," I take that as an extreme offense. First of all, no white man "gave" me anything because my rights come from God, even if the state forbid them. Just had to get that out. Anyway, Peterson victimizes whites in several passages, and I can't really sympathize. Yes, it is true that blacks have every opportunity now that anyone else has. But we are not living in some hunky-dory world where everyone is equal, as Peterson believes. Even in the 21st century, I face the simplest struggle--shopping in a department store, for instance--that whites will not understand. It's just a struggle to be black (and I don't want to be anything else) and no law can really change what's ingrained in the bones of this society. But I digress.

I expected Peterson to be objective in his expose of black leadership, but he was doing a little more ranting than any good (and I'm laughing, because I just vented, too). Sometimes we have to get things off our chest, and that's normal. But there must be an objective to all of it, and not a idyllic one. Instead of bashing blacks, he should have provided concrete solutions to the problems that plague the black community. Instead of simply stating that "Blacks need to build strong family bonds," he should describe how this should be done.

"Scam" wasn't completely a scam. I did learn quite a bit; before I read the book, I had the mentality that whites still tried to hold me down. But I was only holding myself down thinking that way. The book taught me that hatred is a waste--I should've known that, but I just couldn't get past it. I can truly say that I look at whites differently now than before I read the book. Dealing with the gentrification in D.C. was hard--and it still is--but this book has made me a little less ignorant, if not more tolerant.

I recommend this book mostly to blacks who feel hatred in their hearts against whites. Hatred will hold you down for the rest of your life if you don't conquer it. But everyone, white, black, brown, etc., should be objective when reading this book, much like the author wasn't. Not all black people are scoundrels who hate white people and cry out for reparations and affirmative action--those things don't faze me. What I want most is to see these black leaders who cry racism every ten minutes to be overthrown. No one preaching evil is going to lead me, and they shouldn't lead the black community--or any community.

First of all ... I am black. Now that we have that out of the way... This book has the potential to change the lives of black Americans in a major way if we are willing to consider that there is a reality that is different from what our culture has been feeding us through our churches, our black schools and universities, our civil rights literature, Kwanza gatherings, rap music, etc.

This is a challenging, eye opening look at one of the most tragic group think phenomanas in human history. It is time for black Americans to wake up and honestly look at their leadership. Read this book - it is a must.

BTW, for those who think this is not well written, I agree that it might not be a literary masterpiece, but it contains more life changing substance than you would ever find in Shakespeare or Dickens. Come on, Rev Peterson used to be welfare collecting drug addict - his goal is not to be recognized as an outstanding writer. Give him some credit for getting a book out! He did much better than 99% of Americans who will never publish anything.

A book with punch, not finese. It's about time!!

I'm in favor of any book that exposes big government phanatics: socialists like Jackson and the like. Folks need to wake up, and stop listening to other people for their info, without researching things for themselves. Jackson, the Black Caucus, NAACP, and the rest of these pseudo black groups are a disgrace and should be jailed for impersonating caring people. Good work Rev Peterson. Down with Socialism.

No there are no deceptions here, nor is there any "pointing" of fingers. This book basically tells it like it really is when it comes to most of the modern day civil rights activists.

After reading this book it is obvious that Rev. Peterson is seriously concerned with the future of African Americans in this country and makes his point very clear. It descibes how leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson are feeding their plush lifestyles by simply breeding hatred within the black community. After all if men such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are so concerned with the poverty issues regarding African Americans then why don't they offer more of their own donated funds to helping those in dire need within their communities? The Rev. Jesse Jackson alone has four (yes four) separate non-profit organizations, but how much of that money actually makes it back to the black community? Not near as much as you think. After all when Jackson spends nearly a million and a half dollars on travel expenses in one year alone, there's not much left over .

I myself am African American and at one time I idolized men such as Jesse Jackson. However, I have begun to realize over the years what kind of man he really is. A self-righteous crusader who is making a living off the very people he is suppossed to be helping.

If you are not of the African American race please keep one thing in mind, not all blacks agree with Jackson's and Sharpton's ideas. Some of us really do search for truth rather than use our race as a crutch and a weapon.