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

Book Description....

"A powerful polemic on the state of black America that savages the idea of a post-racial society

America’s great promise of equality has always rung hollow in the ears of African Americans. But today the situation has grown even more dire. From the murders of black youth by the police, to the dismantling of the Voting Rights Act, to the disaster visited upon poor and middle-class black families by the Great Recession, it is clear that black America faces an emergency—at the very moment the election of the first black president has prompted many to believe we’ve solved America’s race problem.

Democracy in Black is Eddie S. Glaude Jr.'s impassioned response. Part manifesto, part history, part memoir, it argues that we live in a country founded on a “value gap”—with white lives valued more than others—that still distorts our politics today. Whether discussing why all Americans have racial habits that reinforce inequality, why black politics based on the civil-rights era have reached a dead end, or why only remaking democracy from the ground up can bring real change, Glaude crystallizes the untenable position of black America--and offers thoughts on a better way forward. Forceful in ideas and unsettling in its candor, Democracy In Black is a landmark book on race in America, one that promises to spark wide discussion as we move toward the end of our first black presidency."

Title:  Democracy in Black:  How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul

Author:  Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.

Publisher:  Broadway Books

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Democracy in Black:  How Race Stills Enslaves the American Soul" by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.

My Thoughts...

What a read that Dr. Glaude gives the reader some interesting perceptions of 'why the 2008 recession disproportionately' did impact black people and so much more. Yes, this is a book about race.   Now, I will say I had to sit back and think about that and as I did I believe I was able to understand some of this author's thought pattern.  As he continues on in the read Dr. Glaude talks about the value gap which to me is very true but yes there are many people who feel that are more valued than black people.  Why is that one may say?  Well, if one really thinks about it and just how some things have gone on in today's world...well I will say the writing is definitely there on the wall for anyone to see. I liked how this author Dr. Glaude didn't pull any punches on stated it like it is..with letting all know that 'anyone is fair game for criticism, not just the conservatives'...which as one knows how our President Obama received some of the worst of it all and even though when he left office he still gets it.  Now, why is that?

Now, I will say some of Dr. Glaude's ideas I was not in agreement with but again I could also understand why he might want to take that route...'electoral black-out?'  I did feel by reading "Democracy in Black"I was able to get some other knowledge that  could help me in having a better conversations in the future about our race.  I also did find this novel 'interesting, eye opener on several discussions relating to African-Americans racial discrimination' that is so prevalent in the United States of American.  The question that I am left with is how will these problems be fixed?   We talk and talk but when will one go deep into all the basics of the problems that are presented in the book and be able to move from theory to action?  This will have to be well done before anything is truly solved.

So, if you would like to read about the political and economic insights of the lives of African-Americans you may certainly find this novel of great interest.  No, it may not be a comfortable read however who ever you are I believe its a good read where it will leave you with thoughts long after the read as you are left to take a good look at the history of this country and see some of the wrongs that have been ignored far too long.