PDF Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. in History

Review

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful. Would America have been America Without her Negro people? DuBoisBy Terry TeacherThis book resonated with me on so many levels. The first being I’m not crazy/out of touch - someone else share my thoughts (a scholar even). The author; Glaude; unfolds masterfully the true condition of Black Americans in America; he pulls no punches. This book is so informative. I found myself reading this book every chance I got.The author’s verbiage/break down of the “value gap” - how some men and women are valued less than others because of the color of their skin - and how this gap is infused in our so called ‘democratic’ system; as well as ‘racial habits’ (things we do to sustain this gap) could be considered the theme of this book. This value gaps informs all decisions -employment; educ; housing; and policy etc. To quote the author; ‘…black America has experienced and is experiencing a depression…more like the symptoms of a national congenital disease than the flu.’The author illuminates how we like to think of our nation as the chosen moral nation (‘shining city on the hill’ Ronald Reagan) and how our collective active forgetting/dismembering determines the kind of story we tell ourselves. We tend to forget all the hypocrisy this country was built on as well as how much of Black history dealt with ‘waging a relentless war against white supremacy’.The book reports on heart wrenching personal stories of the effect on the foreclosure crisis that hit African Americans (AA) more than anyone else – not only monetarily but also mentally – entire family breakdowns and more than likely will be broke down for generations not to mention how we’re raising our children with the belief that their lives don’t matter.The author breaks down and compares the traditional/liberal with the conservative AA politician and how they pretty much all go through lip service with no real change occurring in the AA community – not even attempting to close the value gap…. ‘Standing by silently as this economic devastation swallowed black America’. Our President is not excused from these list of politicians – ‘AA have suffered tremendously on Obama’s watch’. I wholeheartedly agree that ‘changing policies and addressing structural racism are the first steps toward undoing our racial habits.’ Initiatives such as ‘My Brothers Keeper’ are Pie in the sky programs.So called black leaders/TV pundits/organizations are also called out and reflected on in a very real way – from Rev Al to DeRay Mckesson; again; the author pulls no punches. Some of the facts the book reveals about these individuals and the “racial theatre” they go through will leave your mouth open. Information on the young leaders of today (including DeRay and Netta) that I’m so proud of; and their so called confrontive (I call highly effective) tactics as well as current movements such as #BLACKLIVESMATTER are reported on.I really appreciated all the real and meaningful quotes from MLK (ones you never hear); James Baldwin and DuBois.“The value gap is in our national DNA.”40 of 44 people found the following review helpful. A Tour De ForceBy Read-A-LotProfessor Eddie Glaude Jr.; of Princeton comes out firing on all cylinders in this book. He really has his pulse on the race situation that continues to plague America and has come up with some thoughts that I'm sure will become part of the prescript of any discussions concerning race. One such idea is the "value gap"; which Eddie describes as; "...(the belief that white people are valued more than others) and racial habits (the things we do; without thinking; that sustain the value gap) undergird racial inequality; and how white and black fears block the way to racial justice in this country.""We talk about the achievement gap in education or the wealth gap between white Americans and other groups; but the value gap reflects something more basic: that no matter our stated principles or how much progress we think we’ve made; white people are valued more than others in this country; and that fact continues to shape the life chances of millions of Americans. The value gap is in our national DNA."This is an interesting new angle in which to view the issue of racism; i.e.; white supremacy. When you frame white supremacy in those terms; there certainly isn't much to argue with there. Clearly white people and white lives are valued more than others in America. In support of this "value gap" theory he quotes from Dr. King;"that in this country the idea of racial equality remains 'a loose expression for improvement.'"And by the way his understanding of Dr. King is superb; many try to lock King into a dream state; but if you listen to and read King from 1967 to the time of his assassination; you would think of him as a totally different person than the I have a dream King. And the radical King is rarely mentioned or praised in print; public or schools. Eddie is unafraid to raise the radical King; though I'm not of the belief that courage is needed in doing this; truth is truth. There is a chapter in the book titled Restless Sleep After King's Dream. I digress.But here is what the author is attempting to convey in this book; "Most Americans see inequality—and the racial habits that give it life—as aberrations; ways we fail to live up to the idea of America. But we’re wrong. Inequality and racial habits are part of the American Idea. They are not just a symptom of bad; racist people who fail to live up to pristine ideals. We are; in the end; what we do." Is that not correct? We all have heard the arguments of reverse racism; I'm not a racist; Black people need to take responsibility; etc. etc.Eddie does a fantastic take down of these rhetorical devices while clearly establishing that "Our democratic principles do not exist in a space apart from our national commitment to white supremacy. They have always been bound tightly together; sharing bone and tissue." Eddie provides several anecdotes that intelligibly illustrate the "value gap" and how it effects the lives of Black people.President Obama takes a heap of criticism from Eddie and even those who disagree will find Eddie's arguments logical; though I did detect a bit of contradiction. He also takes to task the modern civil rights leaders and their failure to move the needle. His definition of liberal is quite different from what usually comes to mind and challenges readers to redefine their own definitions. So what of solutions? Eddie offers up; a revolution of values and a more strident democracy as the way forward. "A revolution of value upends the belief that white people are more valued than others....It involves three basic components: (1) a change in how we view government; (2) a change in how we view black people; and (3) a change in how we view what ultimately matters to us as Americans." He has great respect and admiration for the Forward Together moral movement as well as the #blacklivesmatter campaign.Perhaps his boldest and most controversial recommendation is the "blank-out" campaign. A trip to the presidential ballot box in 2016; but instead of choosing the lesser of two evils that no doubt imprisons us to the status quo; we write in none of the above; thereby calling for a new democracy while still exercising the franchise to quell the screaming crowd of citizens who instinctively cry; "you must vote." I'm sure he will be roundly criticized for this suggestion.Though I have some minor quibbles; none worth mentioning; this is a 5star effort.The book is not at all academic; which in this case I mean as a compliment andhe supplies plenty of analogies to help readers grasp his explanations; these analogies make an already accessible book that much more of an easygoing read. Surely you will see this book on many year end "best" lists.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Thought provoking analysis of race in AmericaBy CustomerAs an older white male; I found Prof. Glaude's book to be both painful and thought provoking. I think he is absolutely correct about the existence of a value gap wherein in white people are more valued than people of color; and that this is associated with a variety of racial habits. However; like many complex social problems; it's one thing to talk about diagnoses and another to come up with meaningful cures. The author identifies three components of a "value revolution": (1) a change in how we view government; (2) a change in how we view black people; and (3) a change in how we view what ultimately matters to us as Americans. I fully agree that governmental action is required to address many of the racial problems in this country including black poverty; mass incarceration; and voting rights. However; bringing about change in longstanding attitudes is much more difficult and may take generations to occur. I can understand his frustration with President Obama; Democrats in general; and traditional liberals - both white and black. However; ultimately we may have to settle for incremental change over a long period of time. I highly recommend Carol Anderson's book; White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide; which makes the case that every advance made by black people in this country; going back to the abolition of slavery; has been followed by white backlash. Glaude was disappointed that the election of a black president did nothing to address the value gap and recommended that blacks leave the choice for president blank in the 2016 election. I considered this to be a mistake. Although in interviews; he later recommended voting for Clinton in battleground states; we ended up with Trump who had strong support from white supremacists. There is no question that a subtext for Trump's call to "make America great again" was "make America white again." This is just another example of white backlash against the election of a black president and growing diversity within the country. While I understand his disdain for Hillary Clinton; we are now left with the consequences for black America of a Trump administration. To his credit; Glaude did recommend voting for downstream candidates and efforts to bring about electoral change at local; grassroots levels. Despite these concerns; I believe that Glaude's book should be widely read by all Americans - especially whites who deny that race influences their attitudes and behavior toward blacks and all people of color.