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Shelby Steele

The Content of Our Character: A New Vision of Race In America Paperback – September 23, 1998

by Shelby Steele (Author)

315 ratings

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In this controversial essay collection, award-winning writer Shelby Stelle illuminates the origins of the current conflict in race relations--the increase in anger, mistrust, and even violence between black and whites. With candor and persuasive argument, he shows us how both black and white Americans have become trapped into seeing color before character, and how social policies designed to lessen racial inequities have instead increased them. The Content of Our Character is neither "liberal" nor "conservative," but an honest, courageous look at America's most enduring and wrenching social dilemma.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From the sight-lines of the university setting, Shelby Steele gives an account of race that is nothing if not controversial. Steele's nine essays derive their messages from personal experience dosed with broader social psychology. The value of this book, which won a 1990 National Book Critics Circle Award, lies in its introspection, rather than its distant calculation. Steele weeds the individual out of the group and argues for personal responsibility. He offers a unique look at the African-American experience and points a questioning finger at the children of affirmative action. The knee-jerk identification he observes "presupposes a deep racist reflex in American life that will forever try to limit black possibility."

From Publishers Weekly

Steele, seeking to improve strained race relations, demonstrates how social policies intensify rather than lessen racial differences, how blacks and whites tend to see color before character, and how blacks are often oppressed more by doubt in their abilities than by racism. This won a National Book Critics Circle award. (Sept.)no PW
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Publisher : Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (September 23, 1998)
Language : English
Paperback : 192 pages
ISBN-10 : 006097415X
ISBN-13 : 978-0060974152
Item Weight : 6.6 ounces
Dimensions : 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #29,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #61 in Government Social Policy
- #288 in African American Demographic Studies (Books)
- #318 in Discrimination & Racism (Books)

Customer Reviews:
315 ratings

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3 star		3%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Sisu

A deeper truth about race in America.

Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2020

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It is absolutely true that that there are disparities and racism. This book speaks to both the cause and effects of why SOME Blacks in America haven't' made progress. It also is very helpful in understanding generational poverty for all races. I thought it very poignant in understanding why some people in the same family are successful and some are not - for all races. I will always remember and am thankful that I was told by a stranger "there will be people that will help you along the way" (to success). The unfortunate thing was that nobody told me that people in my own community/family would hate me for my success and would try to hold me back. Overcoming the collective mindset of victimization is the greatest challenge in every recovery program. Thank you Shelby Steele for writing this book. Even 2009 when he wrote this - he saw what the collective was promoting and called it out. Please create YouTube videos! We need you.

36 people found this helpful

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Jason Carter

Even more important in 2020

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020

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This book is a collection of essays written mostly in the late nineties, but which remain especially applicable to our current racial climate.

Shelby Steele is the son of a black working class father and white mother from Chicago. Despite a poor upbringing, he secured his PhD and went on to become a college professor and hold to solidly middle-class American values. In these essays, he reflects on what it means to be black in America, reflecting on the power trade-offs between blacks and whites that define the current climate.

For Steele, innocence is the key to power. To lose innocence is to lose power vis-a-vis the other. "The inferiority of the black always makes the white man superior; the evil might of whites makes blacks good." Thus, racism becomes a psychological necessity on both sides, despite good intentions to the contrary. The power relations between the races demand this repeated "dance."

The Civil Rights Act was a giant step forward for blacks, but has not resulted in closing the wealth and achievement gap between the races. Steele attributes this to quotas and entitlements, which necessitate a continued victimization mentality as the basis of the power relationship between the races. While not minimizing the call to action to repair the sins of the past, Steele looks to development--rather than reparations--as the key to true long-term equality. "Preferential treatment does not teach skills, educate, or instill motivation. It only passes out entitlement by color."

One or two of the essays lag the others in impact, but overall, this is a great read. I knocked it out in a single day.

13 people found this helpful

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J. Casteen

My 2nd Steele Book but Certainly not the Last

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2020

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For the second weekend in a row, I read a Shelby Steele book, and for the second time, I can recommend "The Content of Our Character: A New Vision of Race in America" to anyone, who wishes to have a better understanding of ... well ... race relations in America. Written at the sunset of the 20th Century, it deals with difficult histories, which we seem to be on the cusp of repeating or reliving.

The book is a collection of essays by a renowned author and English academic. The essays recount incidents from Steele's own life beginning in the segregated 50's into the turbulent and militant 60's. However, Steele's coming of age story is only the beginning of his personal development. The stories continue by offering insight from a black man who grew up in segregation and who achieved success and enjoyed accomplishment through personal efforts in response to opportunity.

He combines his individual insight with a critique of an entrenched culture of victimhood. He argues that the continued reinforcement of that culture and the resulting negative self-image prevent many capable persons from taking advantage of opportunities and offers a ready excuse for a lack of individual effort and personal achievement.

Steele offers universal lessons, which may not be popular among his detractors, but those lessons have withstood the tests of time. He recommends to all: education, hard work, delayed gratification, and personal responsibility. Those lessons provide some comfort and understanding in these turbulent and seemingly incomprehensible times.

10 people found this helpful

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C. oliver

Worth reading

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2020

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This is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to solve the race issue in America. To often we are given one side as if all blacks agree with black lives matter. We are not one, we are a group of Americans from the same ethnic group. We are individuals, this is what the author is saying. If the media used books like this to show different sides, progress could be made.

One person found this helpful

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this is a MUST read for everyone

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2021

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This is probably one of the best books I have ever read. It is very thoughtful and NEEDS to be included reading for any young person (no matter the race). It is about growing up, developing character and just being a better human being.... it's about self identity (not group identity) and how I LOVED this book

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Kevin

Required Reading for Anyone in the US

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2020

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Life-changing to say the very least.

One person found this helpful

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