The civil rights movement of the 1950′s and 60′s was predominately led by black communities that were strong in their solidarity. I recall meeting the first and only woman to lead the Black Panther Party, Elaine Brown, in Washington, D.C. The stories she shared of her Party’s movement and what she endured as its leader were chilling. While I wavered between being horrified and intrigued, I was also struck by the solidarity and commitment of the “soldiers” in this movement. The sense of community that she felt was clear.
A new book has been released that claims the days solidarity and “community” among African Americans is over. “The Splintering of Black America”by Eugene Robinson claims that over the past 40 years, the black community has actually splintered into four subgroups: the Transcendent elite (think Oprah, Kobe or Colin Powell); the Mainstream middle class; an Emergent community (mixed race families and black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa) and the Abandoned (underclass in inner-cities and depressed areas of the South).
Robinson goes on to demonstrate how little these four subgroups have in common; from economics to culture. He tells us that referring to a “black agenda” or “black leaders” is obsolete and serves only to obscure the complexities of race in a vast multicultural nation. Robinson believes that we need to recognize these four groups and their distinguishing interests and we need an immediate response to the deteriorating situation of the Abandoned blacks.
I’m finding this book intriguing and can see it playing out in the Rock River Valley. I wonder how many are reading it and their thoughts on the “disintegration of black America”. Please let me know either through your blog comments or by emailing me.
He says: “we need an immediate response to the deteriorating situation of the Abandoned blacks.” Well what real “hope” do you give them by just giving them a free paycheck for every aspect of their lives? Why doesn’t the State set up a working program to teach skills in return for a check? And Rockford folks are begging for volunteers and we have 10′s of thousands out of work. Where is your focus people that write these blogs? Mandate some kind of community service for God’s sake! How else do people learn skills???
Juice – I assume there must be something about the topic of race that interests you as you reguarly comment on my blogs – I appreciate you taking the time to read my articles. This blog was created to encourage people to open their minds to a different view and perhaps even challenge the way they’ve always thought about issues.
I’ve noticed that over the past month, your comments have remained in the same mindset, there’s really been no change or much give on any of the topics I’ve written about. It disappoints me that I’ve not been successful in helping you see that there are other ways to look at the issue of race and racism. I do know that change can only occur when someone wants that change – perhaps you aren’t interested in changing your view or allowing that there is another view out there?
I think you’d find the book I’ve written about in this blog interesting and it may provide a perspective that you’ve not seen or heard before. I’d like to discuss the book with you once you’ve read it, then we can remain on topic and really discuss what the book is saying and highlighting. What you’ve written above is a comment that you’ve basically written before – it really has nothing to do with the book or what it’s even about.
I enjoy an informed discussion about books and the topics I write about – I hope you can participate.
Kris:
The book you mentioned is excellent, If the YW does a study session on it, please announce it in your blog so that I can participate.
I will, Elizabeth! I\’m hoping to do one in late February or early March – I\’ll keep you updated. And, I\’m glad you liked the book – I\’ve found it to be facinating!