American Paradox: Young Black Men
By:
Renford Reese
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Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5
Description:
Over a half-century since Ralph Ellison wrote the classic book Invisible Man, black men have been trying to become visible. In various ways, black men have sought to get the attention of the world. An intense quest to become seen, heard, and felt has manifested itself in rebellious and counterproductive behavior. Whether it is the baggy pants, the bandana, the braids in the hair, the earring, or the tattoo, black men have desperately striven for visibility. Perpetual gang warfare and an overemphasis on living a glamorous lifestyle have derailed many young black men from achieving success in the U.S. Author Renford Reese examines how young African American males have unwittingly accepted one model of black masculinity. The acceptance of this "tough guy" model is having detrimental consequences on an entire generation of young black men. The book's thesis is supported by a survey the author conducted of 756 African American males from the ages of 13-19 in Los Angeles and Atlanta. This survey attempts to gauge the attitudes, perceptions, and basic knowledge of young African American men regarding black public figures. One component of this survey is a Realness Scale that the author constructed. Along with this survey, interviews were conducted with various young black males to find out why they, or many of their peers, have embraced the gangsta-thug persona. The results of the survey and interviews are fascinating. Although the primary focus of this book is on the young black male's acceptance of the gangsta-thug image and their enthusiastic embrace of society's stereotypes, this book also looks at the unkindness of the system. One would be naive to dismiss the historical impact of discriminatory policies and the systemic perpetuation of stereotypes in U.S. society. Hence, this book examines the internal and external influences on the current black male identity.
Publisher: Carolina Academic Press
Release Date: 2003-12-01
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Great Read for anyone interested in knowing why our youth - are on the path that they are on. For thoses of us looking to try and change the values that some of our children have grown to embrace, this is a MUST read.
Customer Review: 4 out of 5
an interesting critique - I found this book to be informative about some issues that influence young black males in the USA. I did something I usually do not do - I chapter hopped, reading those chapters I thought would be more interesting and going back to the others to gleam information from them.
I was very interested about what Reese says about anti-intellectualism. I also found other subjects Reese covers to be interesting, all of which he outlines in the Introduction.
I hope what Reese covers will make people stop to think about today's issues regarding race, and how to better ourselves and our communities through rejecting negative stereotypes rather than embracing them.
I am not a sociologist, nor am I black, but I found the information Reese presents to be quite interesting; I think everyone can learn something from his book.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Excellent Book for ANYONE interested in cultivating social responsibility!! - In American Paradox: Young Black Men, Dr. Renford Reese discusses how film, media, pop culture, and others often lend themselves to the the development and reinforcement of false representations, negative social stereotypes, and racism. Nonetheless, Reese affirms that the US is still one of the greatest countries in the world where lives, regardless of race or color, can prosper.
Reese's discussion is strongly directed at inspiring Black Americans but is important for anyone. Himself a mentor, Reese pleads that negative social stigmas be rebelled against by way of education, the strengthening of community, mentoring, and other positive forms of leadership in order to bring about positive social action and policy. His ideas about empowering community resonate with John McKnight's, "Careless Society: Community and Its Counterfeits" in that both authors intend to help move inidvidual and community to higher grounds of shared accountability and social responsibility.
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
African American Mother - This is a scholarly albeit shocking analysis of the dilemmas that young African American males face. It was eye-opening, even for this mother of two African Americans men!
Customer Review: 5 out of 5
Amazing professor, author, speaker, thinker, and motivator. - I am a former student at Cal Poly, and have had the opportunity to take not just one, but two of Dr. Reese's classes, and I can attest that this man is nothing short of incredible. He is intelligent, articulate, and charismatic, and he truly cared about every single one of his students. I can say with absolute certainty that he has been the most influential person in my life besides my parents. His book is equally amazing, and is a must read for everyone, regardless of race, color, or background. I am not a young black man, but I can still appreciate the concepts of his teachings. If you were not lucky enough to have had Dr. Reese speak to you in person, his words still carry strongly in this book. I am a better person today, and I can honestly credit that, at least in part, to what I have been taught by this man. For that, Dr. Reese, I thank you.
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