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Tavis Smiley
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The Covenant with Black America Paperback – February 22, 2006

by Various Contributors (Author), Tavis Smiley (Introduction)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 270 ratings
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Six years' worth of symposiums come together in this rich collection of essays that plot a course for African Americans, explaining how individuals and households can make changes that will immediately improve their circumstances in areas ranging from health and education to crime reduction and financial well-being. Addressing these pressing concerns are contributors Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general; Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of the research think tank PolicyLink; and Cornell West, professor of Religion at Princeton University. Each chapter outlines one key issue and provides a list of resources, suggestions for action, and a checklist for what concerned citizens can do to keep their communities progressing socially, politically, and economically. Though the African American community faces devastating social disparities--in which more than 8 million people live in poverty--this celebration of possibility, hope, and strength will help leaders and citizens keep Black America moving forward.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    254 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Third World Press
  4. Publication date
    February 22, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    5.97 x 0.78 x 9.03 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0883782774
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0883782774
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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This collection of essays is both a plea and a response to the self-assessed critical circumstances of black America today. Tavis Smiley provides the introduction, touching on the issues he explores as host and interviewer on public television and radio; Cornel West and Haki Madhubuti also provide commentary, tying together the common theme of planning how to address the circumstances faced by black Americans. Marian Wright Edelman offers the statement of purpose introducing the 10 covenants, pledging individual effort in the areas of health care, public education, criminal justice, community-centered policing, affordable neighborhoods, democracy, agriculture, economics, environmental justice, and technology. Among the contributors are Marc H. Morial, Angela Glover Blackwell, and Wade Henderson. Each section offers facts on racial disparities in the U.S.; practical suggestions on what individuals, communities, and the government can do to rectify problems; and other helpful resources. Although specifically aimed at problems and issues facing black America, this work has appeal for all readers interested in social issues that plague the nation as a whole. Vernon Ford
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Tavis Smiley is the author of eight books, including ""Doing What's Right, Hard Left, How to Make Black America Better, ""and ""Keeping the Faith."" He hosts an eponymous talk and interview show

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Third World Press; First Edition (February 22, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0883782774
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0883782774
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.97 x 0.78 x 9.03 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 270 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
270 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lionel(Bo)
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
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Glad I purchased this book for my collection. Great information. Knowledge is power.
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Robert W. Kellemen
5.0 out of 5 stars Covenant to Read "The Covenant"
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2006
Verified Purchase
"The Covenant with Black America" should be required reading for all Americans. Whether one agrees with the diagnosis and prescriptions is not the point. The point is to increase dialogue, understanding, and mutual progress.

"The Covenant" includes chapters on healthcare, public education, justice system, policing, housing, politics, rural roots, jobs, environment, and the digital divide. Each chapter outlines the issues from the author's perspective, provides a bio of the author (if this bio were at the front of each chapter, it would be helpful), collates statistics on the topic (a more diverse collation of statistics could increase the impact of the book), shares what the community can do, explains what individuals can do, tells what works now, and describes what leaders and politicians can do (again, further balance here would be beneficial).

"The Covenant" is the brainchild of Tavis Smiley who offers it as a roadmap toward future hope. He brings together a laudable team of experts in their field, though one might wish for greater diversity in political, social, and economic perspectives.

Particularly helpful are the sections on what works now. It's always easy to identify a problem, it's somewhat easy to propose a solution, but it's always helpful to provide examples of currently workable and working models. Smiley follows the "best practices" model of illustrating how to move into the future effectively by describing those who are already successfully doing so.

A chapter on spiritual and religious values, given their historical and current emphasis in the African American community, also would add to the books value. Or, integrating the religious community more fully into the essence of each chapter's discussion would be another way to advance the message of the book.

Not everyone from every political persuasion will agree with the suggested covenants--obviously. However, as the back cover explains, "The Covenant with Black American" is moving beyond talking about "our pain" to talking about "our plan." This is certainly in line with the historic African American focus on moving beyond being a victim to being a victor. Those who may have another socio-economic-political perspective on dealing with issues vital to African Americans (and to all Americans), rather than dismissing a book like this, should engage it; should write their own Covenant with the same specificity of focus, though perhaps with distinctive answers.

The front page quote says it well. "The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time" (Terry Tempest Williams). "The Covenant" is a forward-looking book. Well aware of the past, grounded in the needs of the present, it details a process that can shape a renewed future for African Americans and all Americans-so we can become one America. As stated at the outset of this review and throughout, one does not need to agree with the diagnosis and prescriptions to understand the importance of the issue, to engage in the ongoing dialogue, and to propose their own amended Covenant.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of the "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."
42 people found this helpful
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Joe Rob
5.0 out of 5 stars America Has a Debt To Pay
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
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In a nutshell, compensation is warranted for the dastardly treatment of so-called African Americans!
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Jerry
4.0 out of 5 stars Awareness is Created
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2008
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When I first started reading The Covenant I felt as though I already knew much of what was being talked about. But, as I continued to read I learned that much of what the book talked about with regard to taking action, I was not doing in my own life. The Covenant is a good book because it informs and reminds us that we need to be actively engaged in the continuous development of Black America in areas that we may not be familiar with. I was moved when I read about the injustices and inequalities that low-income Blacks and Blacks in certain neighborhoods experience because I thought about what it would be like if I were in their shoes. The Covenant is good for reminding Blacks that we need to help each other on multiple fronts as a united, organized group. When reading the statistics presented it is clear that there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Although there has been progress in some areas like civil rights there are many hurdles that need to be overcome in education, healthcare, wealth creation, policing, etc. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to be informed about the problems in Black and is committed to selecting an area to start taking action.
One person found this helpful
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Charm
5.0 out of 5 stars True
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2018
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Good read and you can learn a lot.
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Hondo
5.0 out of 5 stars Sad But True
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2007
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The information, commentary, and suggested solutions to improve the position of Blacks are well said. I am a big fan of Cornel West anyway but the intellects that analyze the plight have done their homework and not extreme in the characterization of what actually is. Enjoy it for enlightenment and join the effort to change what is unfortunately sad but true.
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Tracy Givens
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I'd expected...but still a good piece of information
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2007
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I had expected so much more from this book I guess. Not that it was a bad read, it really wasn't, it just wasn't what I had expected. The ideals and processes outlined are very basic, with some direction to make it happen. It falls in line with many of the other books I have read in the past on money management, professional growth, etc., except it is targeted to the African American community and the plight these issues have on the community and family structure in Black America. I suggest this book if you do not have a collection of "self help" book on your shelf. I suggest this book if you want to know what the plight of the Black American is in this world and what can be done to fix it. But if your pretty well read on these topics already, it will be a repeat of information. I did buy copies and gave it to the younger generations of my family as I feel these are things they need to know and work on NOW. So in that respect this is a winning read.
3 people found this helpful
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Carol Deaton Kimbrough
5.0 out of 5 stars Covenant
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2007
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Well written, informative, educational and stimulating. Well worth the investment. Tavis is a gifted educated and well versed young man. I have several of his books and thoroughly enjoy reading his literature.
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