Reviews (17)

A vehicle for the NA
I enjoy reading wiewpoints that vary in scope since all stories have two sides. This author's pretext leads us into his ideology with surreptitious restraint. But, the anti-Jew, brown, and black sentiment is pouring out by the second chapter.Steele writes well and his ability to put together thoughts and list supportive data offers compelling credence to his white separatist resolve...especially if you're a white man.
Got gumption ?
It will take a lot of moral fortitude to read this book.You may have to learn some things about yourself that you don't like. Some things about your worldview you don't like.
Defensive Racism
All who are not afraid and truthfully seek what others may be thinking should consider reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    3. Social Science    4. Sociology   

Reviews (15)

American citizens abandoned by their gov't
Dyson brilliantly explains to us the reasons why those that were left to fend for themselves could not do it on their own and the reasons they got to that point.He explains how the gov't failed purposely or not to come to the aid of its most vulnerable citizens.
Linda Jo Smith, Book Review Editor, Sisters~Nineties Literary Group
Come Hell or High Water is a well-documented account of the events surrounding the failure, or more accurately the refusal, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), state and local politicians from the State of Louisiana (Governor Kathleen Blanco, Mayor Ray Nagin) and the President of the United States, to take immediate proactive measures to rescue the predominately black residents living in the Ninth ward of New Orleans.
Former NOLA resident
When many of the premises of a book are faulty, I find it impossible to continue reading.Perhaps this will help prospective readers in their decision about this book.
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Disaster Situation Planning    3. Disasters & Disaster Relief    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Ethnic Issues    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Floods    8. Hurricane Katrina, 2005    9. Louisiana    10. Natural Disasters    11. New Orleans    12. Social Science    13. Social conditions    14. Sociology    15. Social & cultural anthropology    16. USA   

Reviews (10)

Excellent book!
This book is highly readable and the analysis is very good.The only reason people would be reacting so negatively is if they have an investment in perpetuating racism. If you do not, then you will appreciate this book and its contribution to helping us understand the dynamics of privilege and how we can unconsciously fuel racism.The first step to changing something is understanding it.Nothing is helped by sticking your head in the sand and denying a problem exists.I encourage everyone who cares about ending the racist (and sexist and classist) power structure in our society to read this book.

Read for Class
This book was a pretty good source of article information for a class I took.If you are looking for something that helps open the mind regarding what "white" means in race/status this is the book for you.

A white activist who's tired of white guilt
It wasn't long ago that I was a very active and outspoken advocate of social change, an activist if you will. I marched on the WTO convention in Seattle and have joined numerous activist groups in protesting the ills of American society, the economy and our awful "President" Bush and his senseless wars on Afghanistan and Iraq. I would like to see a reformed America where people are truly equal. One thing I was fond of taking a stance against was racism, or at least, what I thought was racism.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Minority Studies - Race Relations    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Social Science / Gender Studies   

Reviews (13)

DianeMoneyd
I respect June's love for her mother but I don't think her mother deserved it.Larry was never a big star and his career wasn't so great that She had to give up a black daughter and a white son.She gave away three children and she called herself a mother.June should had more love for the woman who raised her.

Intriging Story of a "special" little girl
This is the story of June Cross (the author).As a little girl she is forced to live with that fact that she is different, but non the less she's that little girl that is like every other little girl her age.In the early stages of her life she innocent and unfortunately she has to grow up fast during to a time of segregation and oppression.Overall it's about June's journey as a bi-racial girl who goes through ups and downs, and how she prevails against all odds.This is definitely a book that you can't put down!

Racism & Relationships in this Generation
The story is compelling in its complexity. That it starts with the author's birth in 1954 the book highlights the recent events and history of the US I have grown up in and witnessed. As the adoptive mother of two bi-racial children I found her mother's actions perplexing and hard to understand...but her daughter wants the reader to understand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abandoned children    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Discrimination & Racism    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Race And Ethnic Relations    8. Race identity    9. Racially mixed people    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

Order this book ... and please don't be put off by its pallid subtitle, Read more

Reviews (558)

One Man's Identity Crisis
"The Color of Water" is a very good piece of reading material written by Mr. James McBride, a noted journalist, composer, and musician. McBride is a very successful man and, in his mind, he has his mother to thank for it. He wrote this book as a tribute to the mother that raised him and his other eleven siblings, showing the positive impact that her life lessons had on him and the other members of the family.
A Stunning Read
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother by James McBride is a powerful, stunning book.It is both a biography and an autobiography, for it tells the life story of the author's mother intertwined skillfully in the author's own.
Never mind the woman and who she is, but hurray for Mommy, right?
Yeah, I know I'll get shot down for the low rating, but I don't really care. The book gets glowing reviews for the most part, because most people find it touching and beautiful, and people like reading something that makes them feel all warm inside. I appreciate the feeling as much as the next person, but, really, I need more to like a book!
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Mothers    6. Mothers and sons    7. Mulattoes    8. New York    9. New York (State)    10. People of Color    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Biography & Autobiography    15. Black studies    16. Social Science / Discrimination & Race Relations   

Reviews (61)

Race Matters
Excellent look at race issues in America that apply today even though the book was written more tha a decade ago.

Race matters to Cornel West...
...because that's how he makes his money and fame. Without it, he'd be known for what he ultimately is: a poor charlatan posing as a "scholar."

Race Matters (Vintage)
Race Matters is an excellent book! Cornel West is a brillant man and one of our great leaders.This book is a must read for any one seeking knowledge and truth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    2. General    3. Minority Studies - Race Relations    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Race relations    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. Black studies    10. Racism & racial discrimination    11. Social Science / African-American Studies    12. USA   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (64)

why would you NOT want to read this..
I picked this book up based on the title. I saw it sitting on the shelf and thought it would be a very honest book and worth reading.
One of the Most Balanced and Fair Books I Ever Read
It's not very often that one comes across a totally fair and balanced yet excellent work of non-fiction. It's even more exciting when one comes across such a book by chance.I first saw this book at the local branch of the Los angeles Public Library. Its title, which carries the singlemost offensive and taboo word in USA, was the factor that intrgued me. I expected it to be a preachy, judgemental book. And was I wrong!
Not as controversial as the cover
Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law Professor, has certainly created a great deal of discussion with his latest book.
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Communication    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Ethnic Issues    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Race identity    8. Racism in language    9. Social Science    10. Social conditions    11. Sociology    12. Black studies    13. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural    14. USA   

Reviews (2)

New Insights into How Race Gets Constructed by Schools
Race in the Schoolyard adds a new dimension to the literature on race and schooling. It examines how race is understood, produced, reproduced and contested by students, teachers and parents. It provides rich description and profound analysis of the dynamics of race in elementary schools. Its explanations of how race is constructed and dealt with at schools incorporates the examination of micro processes such as teacher practices and macro processes such as residential segregation. It makes a strong statement about how racial categorization is imbued in everyday life at school and even in the most minute or "insignificant" details of school. The book shows how racial categorization leads to behavior toward others that influence their educational opportunities. Extraordinary book on race and contemporary schooling
This book is truly amazing. It deals with a controversial topic in a careful but thought-provoking manner.Having taught in urban and suburban schools for twenty years I can relate to many of the stories that she tells about the inability of teachers, school administrators, and parents to deal effectively with the elephant in the room, race.As she points out in her conclusion we as teachers and Americans cannot "merely close our eyes and try by sheer force of imagination to will ourselves into a color-blind world." In this very readable and well-written book the author reminds us that as teachers we owe it to our students (not just our black and hispanic students) to help them understand how race matters.It is only through direct and honest dialogue that our students will be better prepared to make sure race matters less in the future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Discrimination & Racism    3. Discrimination in education    4. Multicultural Education    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Race relations    7. Social Science    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. Students    11. Students & Student Life    12. United States    13. Racism & racial discrimination    14. Schools    15. USA   

Reviews (34)

Good
This book arrived in perfect condition, on time, and it was interesting as well!

Other People's Children was Transformative
I am a teacher and a Ph.D. student in education, and of all of the hundreds of articles and books I've read about education, Other People's Children has been one of the most useful, both in terms of my intellectual development and also in practical, common-sense classroom strategies.If you are an educator who is ready to stop blaming your students' parents for everything your students do wrong and who is ready to start asking what YOU can do to help your students achieve more, this book is an excellent choice for where to start.
The Problems Behind Teaching Black Children
Delpit pulvarizes us with her brick-hard words about how teachers (both Black and White) must re-negotiate and re-align their paradigms regarding how to plan to teach minority children, especially those whose native tongue differs from English.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Policy & Reform    5. Multicultural Education    6. Education / General    7. Ethnic studies    8. Teaching of ethnic minorities   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Colonies    3. Ethnic Studies - General    4. Europe    5. Human Geography    6. Imperialism    7. Minority Studies - Race Relations    8. Race relations    9. Sex customs    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. World - Colonial Studies    13. Anthropology    14. Colonization & independence    15. Gender studies    16. History / General    17. Racism & racial discrimination    18. Social history   

Reviews (8)

Interesting Read

Required Reading For All African American Teenagers
I went to the store to purchase "White Guilt" but they were out.I purchased this book instead and I cannot tell you how happy I was to read it.It took me 2 days to read it and then I read it again just to let it all soak in.This book uncovers the secret (at least the secret from African Americans) to be succesful.It should be required reading of all AFrican American teenagers age 16 and up.He explains how India and Koren immigrants to this country have acheived more than blacks have and they we should not whine about White People holding us back because by doing so, you CANNOT be focused on becoming an Economic Warrior, i.e., a Capitalist Nigger.
He's right on it
I thought the book gave a raw and uncut truth about africans,etc. Onyeani shot straight from the hip in regards to how we view and approach wealth. We need to become more aggressive, not to the point where we become blinded by wealth, but as far as being more proactive when it comes to wealth. I am an entrepeneur, and I am going to implement some the theories and concepts he mentioned so I can make my community a better place. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career/Job    3. Careers - General    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. Ethnic Issues    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. General    8. Sociology    9. Black studies    10. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry   

Reviews (7)

Con Game
Star Parker's latest rant shows marked improvement in literary composition compared to her earlier attempts. Despite being a little rambling, it is awash in the current right-wing hot-buttons and assuredly helps her quest for funds from the "better" half of society. Perhaps she had some help in writing this, because I did not find an Ebonic faux pas, such as appeared in "Pimps, Whores and Welfare Brats", i.e."You kiddin, right?".
poo-poo
First of all, I do not consider myself "a Liberal," or even Blue State.The simple fact is, there IS epic moral decay in this country.I had to read this book for a graduate course.
An American Traitor exportsAfrican-American Moral Decay
Star Parker cloaks her treachery, her bigotry, her ignorance and her immorality under so-called "conservative values".But just try to watch BET for more than five minutes-if you can stomach it.The programming is either loud-mouthed preachers or pornographic rap and hip-hop videos.This is not a coincidence, that Christian evangelical shouters and pulpit-pounders and violent, obscene gangster rappers-notdecent, progressive African-Americans like Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, or Aaron MacGruder, who struggle mightily to raise the African-American conscious-occupy the world of Black Entertainment Television-and African-American culture, debasing not only African-American culture but American culture generally.It is the conservatives, who cynically capitalize and merchandize sleaze to the lowest Black-American appetites, with the help of religious hypocrisy and mob psychology.And Star Parker wants to export this trash, this irresponsible freedom-hating sedition to the American middle class with this book.She talks about "values," but she is against the American value of choice.She is against the fundamentally American principle of free thought, despoiling our educational system as one of the many conservatives who rant against philosophical education and prevent the teaching of ethics in our schools, so that she can further the unAmerican agenda of replacing this free society with a theocracy of Christianity, a religion that harbors a false morality of extrinsic religious doctrine and an immoral escape hatch of expiation; the real moral relativism dictated by the man, the horse-thief, the morally reprehensible hedonist who preferred to have his feet bathed in spikenard oil rather than help the poor, the man who said "Do not say I have come for peace; I come not with peace but with a sword-read your Bible, REALLy read your Bible, and learn what an immoral reprobate Jesus was.This Christian hyper-religiosity has plagued the African-American community for generations, and the reason you see moral decay in the white middle-class community for the past twenty years up to now is because of the rise of neoconservatism since Reagan and his conservative Christian fundamentalist minions.Star Parker wants you to turn your back on real American values and go over to gamblers, philanderers and whoremongers like William Bennett, Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker.These are the moral archetypes whom Star Parker would have you hearken to. She is a black who cannot even recognize her own bigotry against other members of society and she wants to dictates her flawed morals on free American people of better morals and character than her.Look past the color of her skin and see the ugliness of her character.When Bill Cosby said American blacks need to look at their own problems, he meant blacks like Star Parker ARE the problem.Americans of every race and color should denounce and condemn Star Parker for the scurrilous liar, malefactor and instigator that she is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Discrimination & Racism    3. General    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Inner cities    6. Middle class    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    11. Social conditions    12. Sociology - Social Theory    13. Sociology - Urban    14. U.S. Urban Politics And Problems    15. United States    16. Political Science / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (30)

Branch's Trilogy
Volume one of Branch's biography of King, though interesting most of the time, suffers from Branch's sometime tortuous syntax and lack of focus, it seems._Parting the Waters_, overall, was excellent, but I only wish that it flowed always when it only flowed some of the time.
Impossible not to be a letdown
Any follow up to Parting the Waters is destined to be anticlimatic. Concedingly, there are a few drawbacks to Pillar of Fire. Nonetheless, this is another classic work from Branch.
Keeps the Fire Aflame...Pillared Story of the Shaping of America
Taylor Branch has certainly done better work with his first Pulitzer Prize winning Civil Rights movement work, "Parting the Waters,' but that doesn't mean you should be brushing aside this good history writing in "Pillar of Fire."There's a quote out there...that I can't seem to find right now...that says something to the effect of, "If we don't learn from history, we will find ourselves repeating mistakes already made."In the realm of social justice and American Civil Rights history there is no finer capturing of our society's mistakes and the heroic struggle undertaken by civil rights movement leaders than the history written by Taylor Branch on the subject.The entire trilogy should be required reading for all liberal arts majors (all other under grad majors for that matter) as an education in the important history that shaped the America we know today.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. African Americans    3. Civil rights    4. Civil rights movements    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History - U.S.    9. History: American    10. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    11. Political Science    12. U.S. - Political And Civil Rights Of Blacks    13. U.S. History - 1960s    14. United States    15. United States - 20th Century/60s    16. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    17. Human rights    18. King, Martin Luther    19. Political Science / Civil Rights    20. Racism & racial discrimination    21. USA    22. c 1960 to c 1970   

Reviews (4)

Avoid at all costs!!!!!!
This book is chock full of hatred and inaccuracies. I was forced to read this book for a class and was disgusted from page one. How a teacher can assign this horror for a diversity class is beyond me. If you want indoctrination, then by all means read this nonsense.

Race Class and Gender: An Anthology
this book had no writting in it if it was not new it was like new

Excellent Reading
This book was amazing in its scope and varying perspectives on issues concerning "minority" Americans. Both editors and incredible and I personally am really looking forward to reading Patricia Hill Collins' lastest book, Black Sexual Politics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Gender Studies    3. Minority Studies - Race Relations    4. Race And Ethnic Relations    5. Social Classes    6. Social Science    7. Social Stratification    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Social Science / Sociology / General    11. Social groups & communities   

Reviews (1)

A powerful critique of tolerance
Brown delivers a compelling critique of tolerance. In a complex, yet accessible way, she argues that tolerance functions as an instrument of power by regulating group differences and by selectively and differentially integrating "others" into the civic space. Conferring and withholding tolerance can both function as differential modes of exclusion and regulation of difference.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. History & Theory - General    3. Political Science    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - Social Theory    7. Toleration    8. Ethics & moral philosophy    9. Political Philosophy    10. Political Science / History & Theory    11. Political Science and International Relations    12. Political science & theory