Race Rules: Navigating the Color Line (Paperback)

by Michael Dyson (Author) "THE STUDIO CRACKLED WITH EXCITEMENT..." (more)
Key Phrases: black public intellectuals, racial clarification, moral strangeness, Million Man March, Nation of Islam, Martin Luther King (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
This collection of essays by Michael Eric Dyson, who teaches communications at the University of North Carolina, deals with the problem of racial division in America, and explores divisions within the black community. A discussion of O. J. Simpson focuses on the tensions between black celebrities who find a favored niche in white society and those who must contend with a more mundane existence where racism is sharper. Another intra-commnity division arises in the tension between black women and men. One essay points to the similar support bases of Louis Farrakhan and Colin Powell. Another to the rivalries that have developed between the star-studded casts of newly prominent black intellectuals. Dyson offers a wide survey of African-American concerns from racism to rap. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
In this somewhat disjointed essay collection, Dyson (Between God and Gangsta Rap) argues that "we haven't learned our lessons" about racial etiquette. This ordained minister writes with rhythm and power, even if he sometimes travels well-trod ground, as when he teases out the racial ironies and subtexts in the O.J. Simpson case or analyzes the respective appeals of Colin Powell and Louis Farrakhan. Dyson also presents a self-indulgent essay on black public intellectuals; while he cogently explains this recent phenomenon, he goes on to offer tongue-in-cheek "awards" to various intellectuals and their critics. Much more interesting is his exploration of the tension between black sexuality and the black church, in which he argues that the church must develop "a theology of eroticism" to supplant "guilty repression or gutless promiscuity." Dyson, who is in his mid-30s, lectures his elders that the criticism rap music generates was once faced by jazz; he goes on to dispute Cornel West's attack on black nihilism by urging a focus on how power in the inner cities has shifted to a dangerous "juvenocracy." A final essay on Waiting to Exhale seems a throwaway, but before that, Dyson thoughtfully urges black leaders to "transform" race, to challenge white supremacy and black orthodoxy and to link to "other forms of political resistance." Author tour.
Copyright 1996 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: 256 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (September 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679781560
• ISBN-13: 978-0679781561
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #551,308 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made me think a subject not ordinarily on my radar screen, February 27, 2004

By	Blaine Greenfield "eclectic reader" (Belle Meade, NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Heard the taped version of RACE RULES, written and read by
Michael Eric Dyson . . . it is a collection of essays that deal with
the problem of racial division in America, as well as with divisions
within the black community.

Dyson, a former welfare father and now an ordained Baptist
minister and professor of Communications Studies at the University
of North Carolina, starts by talking about O.J. Simpson . . . I recall
initially thinking, "not this subject again," yet was pleasantly
surprised by how he got me to realize that there was more--a lot
more--to the subject than the media presented . . . another essay
dealt with the sate of black women and the inequities they have had
to face due to not only their race but also their gender . . . lastly,
I found it fascinating how Dyson agreed with both the integrationist
ideas of Colin Powell and the separationist beliefs of Louis Farrakhan--and
then denounced them both as being only road to racial salvation.

Dyson made me think about subject matter that ordinarily isn't on my
radar screen . . . for that, I'm grateful.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very thought provoking, January 2, 2000

By	[e-mail] "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

this man is a genius.whenever he speaks or debates someone i'm all ears and eyes.i've enjoyed all of his books.he has a of wording ideas and thoughts and tieing everything as one.he could connect dr.king,michael jackson,malcolm x&stevie wonder into one with the plight&struggle.i once saw him on sinbad's vibe show with the brillant nikki giovanni and he was talking and resighting the brillant lyrics of rakim.my mouth hit the floor.i wish he had a show alongside of tony brown&rev jessie jackson.this man speaks volumes in this book and is highly intelligent.a must read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Man That Makes You Think., September 28, 2007

By	Cory J. May "Christlike8480" (Asbury Seminary) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thought this book was great. I respect and love Dyson as a thinker and leader. There were a few things in the book that I dont necessarily agree with Dyson on, but who cares, thats life. The only person I need to agree with 100% is God. Overall his thoughts are deep, logical and thought provoking. Dyson is my favorite writer and Black Leader.