Racism 101 (Paperback)

by Nikki Giovanni (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
These brief essays by poet Giovanni ( Sacred Cows and Other Edibles ) on subjects both personal and societal are fluid, often perceptive musings that beg for more substance. Written since she joined the English faculty at Virginia Polytechnic five years ago, the pieces contain her reflections on the path of her career and offer advice to black students on how to apply themselves scholastically, as well as how to deal with stupid questions from whites. Giovanni values the influence of W.E.B. Du Bois's intellectual honesty but also criticizes those whom she sees as his neoconservative progeny, writer Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Justice Clarence Thomas among them. She is harsh on Spike Lee's film, Malcom X , calling it a "sick joke," and lionizes novelist Toni Morrison. Asserting that she doesn't feel alienated from Western culture ("my people have contributed so much that is vital and good to it"), Giovanni adds, "I am alienated from the people . . . who think they own Western tradition." Author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Her books having sold nearly 400,000 copies, Giovanni is proof that poetry remains vibrant. Here she forsakes verse for political essays touching on Malcolm X, affirmative action, and the Sixties.
Copyright 1994 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: 203 pages
• Publisher: Quill (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688142346
• ISBN-13: 978-0688142346
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #789,499 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great account, April 30, 2000

By A Customer

I though this was a great reader. The accounts of her life and the lesson that she is giving to her son and the readers kept me very interested in this book. She gives you the tools that one needs to combat racism. I especially like her critique of Spike Lee's movies!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Munuscript, February 14, 2001

By	M.G. Long (Burlington, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This was my first encounter with Giovanni besides her poetry, and I was amazed at her perspective observations. This book was recommended to me because of it's chapter about black college students. This single chapter did wonders for helping me with my adjustment into the college setting. If I had an opportunity to thank the author face to face, I would definately ask her what influenced the to shape philosophies about race relations on college campuses, ironically we agree for the most part. It is refreshing to me to find a person of her stature willing to voice her own opinions about important issues without holding back.I strongly recommend this book to every serious black student. The necessity of this book before you enter the college classroom is more than you could understand until actually encounter the writer's truths.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "barely worth it", March 30, 2000

By	C.L. Doublin (California) - See all my reviews

Unless you are seeking a much needed feminist sensibility against Morrison's abusive Tar Baby narrative, I wouldn't bother. The rest of it is vague, presumptuous, shockingly lacking in self-reflection and criticism. For the most part, her flirtations at clear, responsible thought all to easily descend into her typical scolding tirades! She insults everyone's intelligence by speaking as if she is getting after an errant five year old!