Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America (Paperback)

by Roland S. Martin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Martin is a 21st century ‘race man,' similar to the angry voices of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance." -- DeWayne Wickham, columnist, USA Today and Gannett News Service

"Most people hold back so they won't offend somebody. Roland doesn’t care. And that’s a good thing." -- Reginald Hudlin, filmmaker, Boomerang, House Party

"Roland will make you laugh, scream and thrust your fist into the air (or through the pages of the book)." -- Roy Johnson, editor-in-chief, Savoy Magazine

Product Description
Unrelenting, uncompromising and downright honest, nationally syndicated columnist Roland S. Martin offers a fresh perspective for the 21st century in his first book, "Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America."

Martin, nationally syndicated columnist (Creators Syndicate), news editor of Savoy Magazine and editor of BlackAmericaWeb.com, has covered a variety of stories and newsmakers in his nearly dozen years as a professional journalist. And in the course of doing that he has gained a significant insight into the triumphs and failings of this country’s best and brightest.

In Speak, Brother! he tackles a variety of issues with passion, knowledge and spirituality. Whether it's sports, social justice, business or media, Roland S. Martin refuses to be pigeonholed as a conservative or a liberal, Democrat or a Republican. As he puts it, he is simply "a black man in America."

Here is a taste of what he has to offer in Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America:

Halle Berry’s Oscar win: "My heart always aches and my soul forever hears the echoes of our ancestors when such accomplishments are made because my spirit tells me that when they were catching hell, they were saying, ‘I can't give up because someone will come along after I'm long gone to pick up the torch the continue the journey.’"

Bush-appointed judges: "Democrats must finally shed their image of being soft and unafraid to fight. Sen. Tom Daschle has finally gotten his troops to rally around one position and not be so far-flung in their desires. Sure, there are southern Democrats like Georgia Sen. Zell Miller who are nothing more than Republicans in Democrats clothing, but if they expect to keep the federal judiciary fair and balanced, and position themselves for a real shot at the White House in 2004, they will have to toughen up."

Voting: "I think of the men and women who recently stood in line in Zimbabwe for two days, only to have Mugabe essentially steal the election. I can’t get the images of the same taking place in South Africa – what seems like is years ago – to cast their ballot for Nelson Mandela."

Charles Barkley and Sports Illustrated: "We cannot lose sight of the fact that while Barkley mocks a slave being in chains, real men, women and children were exposed to such indignities, and they weren't wearing pristine white pants and faking a menacing look on their face. Instead, the look on their faces likely were borne from the pain and agony of being torn from their families and homeland, forced to endure the smell of death across the Atlantic Ocean, then the humiliating and disgraceful practice of being sold to the highest bidder and sent to work in hot fields under the dictatorship of a white slave master."

Catholic Church scandal: "Church leaders have been humbled by the vastness of the problem. But until leaders in each diocese purge their rolls of these sexual predators and make a public confession to atone for the past and pledge to operate fully and openly, they will not have the right to speak out morally. Job said what happens in darkness will be brought to light. Now is the time for stadium lights to be shone on the Catholic Church."

With a personal, intellectual and deeply spiritual touch, Roland S. Martin delivers a strong and authoritative voice on a wide range of subjects. "Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America" brings a rich and much needed voice to today’s issues.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: ROMAR Media Group (June 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971910707
• ISBN-13: 978-0971910706
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,203,062 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wake Up Call, July 17, 2002

By	Felita Granby (Elmsford, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Roland S. Martin has definitely put into words thoughts and feelings that may resonate with many of us, but we are unable or unwilling to admit. His brutal honesty regarding the attitudes of black america may sting, but you are forced to continue reading, because the brother captivates you. At times he is a silent observer reporting on the commentary, but most effective when he lets the reader experience his pain and sadness. He is a much needed voice of black america. This book should be a must read for young black men and women.

1.0 out of 5 stars Oh brother here we go again, June 21, 2009

By	F. J. Clauser (St.Cloud, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On June 18, Martin posted an editorial in [...], "Enough with Baseball and Steroids", where he whines about the treatment of Sammy Sosa who now faces perjury charges for lying to Congress about his steroid use. Martin argues to just(for whatever reason) close the book, and let bygones be bygones. His arguments are "I'm tired of rehashing the old drama", " and "I'm sick of it".

So I guess the same could be said for his dredging up of decades and centuries old ugly moments in history as this angry man presents America as an oppressive intolerant society. I think we are all getting tired of racial diatribes. None of us alive today are responsible for what some people did back in history. To put in the author's words, "So, can we just move the hell on?

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an exceptional truthful book!, November 5, 2002

By	Wyatt (Texas) - See all my reviews

Every young black man should read Roland's book. He has quite an insight and speaks of the reality of events of the past and present. The kind of wisdom that Roland has only comes from God.

Thanks Roland for sharing and revealing the truth of this present era.

Honest, enlightening and informative book!