Stupid Black Men?
I find it extremely disturbing that Larry Elder has chosen to call his new book “Stupid Black Men”. I have not read the book. I skimmed through it while sipping a cup of tea in a bookstore. I suppose Elder is capitalizing on Michael Moore’s bestseller “Stupid White Men” (the same way Chris Rock seemed to use the popular “Everybody Loves Raymond” to title his sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris”). That is smart marketing, I guess.
So, I understand that Elder wants to sell books. Titles have to be sexy and eye-catching. Stupid Black Men” certainly makes you stop and pick it up. There is a big photo of Elder on the cover so this makes it seem even more interesting. Wow. A black man is calling other black men “stupid.” I’m sure the mainstream public is anxious to hear a confirmation of their perceptions about black men straight from the horse’s mouth. The editors and publishers at St. Martin’s Press must have thought they had a bestseller when they agreed to publish this book.
Elder states in his preface that “this book calls out black men and women, men and women of other races, the ‘empathetic’ liberal media, and Democratic party sympathizers for their racism-done-me-wrong statements and policy measures that maximize victimhood and minimize personal responsibility.” So, if the book is about how all the ethnicities in the mainstream should stop whining about racism, why not call it “Stupid People” or something more accurate? Why call it “Stupid Black Men”?
One of his chapters is titled, “Three Things that Need to be Said to Stupid Black People: Grow up, Grow up, Grow up.” In all the pages I skimmed, Elder seems to be saying that racism is a thing of the past and folks need to move on and stop complaining. I agree with the sentiment behind much of what Cosby has said in the past couple of years. But I also agree with the opposite side of the argument that says that we need to seriously consider the impact of history when we discuss the overall condition of African Americans today. When we look at the wars and the coups that constantly plague Africa, we should certainly point out the internal problems of corruption and bad leadership. But we must always remember how key historical events have played a vital role in contemporary problems – slavery, colonialism, globalization, and the oppressive policies of the international banking systems.
Perhaps Elder really wants to help people, but in my skimming, I find no reference to the past. People like to know that you are thinking widely about their experience before they take any directives you have to offer. I don’t know that any of the “stupid black men” and “stupid black people” he is referring to will be drawn in to happily read and take his advice.
I think, for all his good intentions, Elder wants to sell as many books as possible. Perhaps he will land on the bestseller list and lots of “unstupid” people will buy it. I did not.
First of all I’m disheartened at the fact that once again a black men feels the need to market himself after what a white man has done. Getting pas this point however, let’s look at the preface:
“this book calls out black men and women, men and women of other races, the ‘empathetic’ liberal media, and Democratic party sympathizers for their racism-done-me-wrong statements and policy measures that maximize victimhood and minimize personal responsibility.”
In the end I beleive the only “stupid black man” is the author of this book. I beleive that he’s gotten so high up on his horse that he neglects to remember the people who had to struggle before him so that he even had the opportunity to learn to read and write. While for some there is a personal responsibility that needs to be taken, we cannot ignore the fact that racism and segregation is alive and well in America. While some do use the race card as scape goat and they have the whole “the man is holding me down mentatlity” sometimes the man is holding them down, the phrase had to come from somewhere.
Initially, I must admit, the title is beyond inflammatory, and something which garners taking a few days to process. I actually refrained from responding on Tuesday evening when it was posted because of the old adage of not engaging in conversation when you’re upset.
However, now that I’ve taken some time off, and done extensive research concerning the author, I’m more than ready to dissect the actual purpose of the title and the book, as opposed to what the immediate perception might be.
Now, it’s important that we each take time out to acknowledge what the title actually says. “Stupid Black Men.” That’s right, Stupid, then Black, then Men.
It doesn’t say “All Black Men are Stupid,” or that “The Black Men in America are Stupid,” it simply states “Black Stupid Men.” After I took the time to evaluate what that actually means, and what the inference is, it becomes far less inflammatory and makes a decent amount of sense.
The book’s title is no more inflammatory or dissimilar to if it read “Young Black Men” or “Tall Black Men.” Essentially, it’s simply referring to individuals who might be considered stupid. It’s using stupid as an adjective, to describe black men, and an adjective is not all encompassing or absolute. There are fast black men, and slow black men, there are smart black men, and unfortunately so, there are stupid black men.
Now, I’m sure we’re all asking ourselves, what gives anyone the right to call another individual (especially a race leader like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton) stupid, but we have to be honest with ourselves and think about if we’ve ever made such a statement like that.
If you’ve never said, “Jesse is so stupid” (don’t forget about his love child moment a few years back) or “Al does some of the stupidest things” then I trust you have a right to be frustrated with what the book is all about, but when one takes a moment to think about it, there’s some validity to the statement.
Now, as far as utilizing race as an excuse, that’s something which warrants examining on a case-by-case basis. If race is the reason why something happened, then it’s not an excuse, and is justifiably a reason to be upset. If race is simply an excuse why something bad happens, then it’s just like using any kind of excuse to rationalize or justify why something bad happened.
The book recommends that instead of looking to Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other opportunistic individuals, Negro men and young men should look to Bill Cosby, Barack Obama and Tiger Woods. Now although I don’t agree with that last individual, because Tiger has consistently refused to acknowledge his heritage, and is more willing to celebrate his accomplishments than his father’s heritage, he has worked tremendously in the Negro and American community as a whole, and does personify many of the traits and characteristics that Negro men should aspire to.
Thus, it’s ultimately up to us as intelligent and engaged human beings to not evaluate a book by its cover, but by its content, and this is a perfect example of how easy it is to get distracted by the cover.
Perhaps it serves as the ultimate lesson in discretion and patience when attempting to get to some bit of knowledge which might be of some value, and although I’m not going to move this text to the top of my list of books to read this summer during my break, it won’t be something that I refuse to include in the laundry list of texts to work my way through.
After hearing the title of that book, as eye catching as it is, I was wondering how many white people would be brave enough to actually pick that book up and buy it?
I hate hearing people say things that imply racism isnt a factor in the progression of black people this day in age. Because it is. I think that the physical opression/slavery of blacks may have been short lived, but the mental lives with us today. I agree that we must take responsibility more and start blaming less. However, by no means do I think we should not call white people out on their discriminatory or racist behavior .
I also dont like the title because its negative and the last thing black need amongst each other is negativity and division.
After reading the title of this book and some of the topics dicussed, I think that I would take a closer look at his book but definately not purchase it.
Concerning the comment that racism is a thing of the past, and we need to move on, grabbed my attention quickly and upset me a little.
I grew up in a white community and did not view racism until I moved to the city.
But even in today’s world with all the advancements that have been made, I often view racism happening.
I think that naming a book with such a controversial title is done with only one purpose and that’s to grasp the attention of people. Even if the book’s title had nothing to do with the subject matter of the book. I think that the author(s) came up with this so that they could stir everything up clinging to hopes of fame, whether its positive or negative.
I myself spent half on my life growing up in Chicago and the other in the southwest surburbs; this allowed me to get a good look at both sides of social classes. The author says, ” grow up”, but my question is how do you grow up in a society that was created to keep you down? Look around. Chicago IS segregated and divided.
I also believe that the author is confused about the nature of society. He is probably a guy who grew up as a full blown SURBURBANITE.I wonder if he thinks his father, grandfather and brothers are stupid black men.
I feel as if this book is another attempt for someone to forcefully assimulate by putting down the class or race of people who are hated by the majority of the public in the United States. We see it across the board when new immigrants come to the States. The Irish, The Italian, and Asian groups finding other ways to push the racism away from their group. It’s like the bully in grade school theory, “if you can’t beat them join them.” I feel like once a person peaks at an economic status that satisfies them they eventually turn and build on the backs of others to make themselves feel better. In all honesty people with money have the least amount of self worth. It has been a proven fact throughout history.
all in all this is just another side to the many faces of assimulation.
“I also believe that the author is confused about the nature of society. He is probably a guy who grew up as a full blown SURBURBANITE.I wonder if he thinks his father, grandfather and brothers are stupid black men.”
think you should do some research about Larry Elder’s father and his direct influence on his mentality before you make such innane statements.
Well the title alone, truly caught my attention, which seems to be his intentions. This just reminds of me of Nas latest album “Nigger.” It is all for publicity, and sells. Once getting past the title and understanding what the book is about, I am annoyed at another attempt to just disregard racism and move on. Why some people feel that we should just move on, without truly addressing the issue bothers me tremendously. Maybe in the book he states how we can move on, but since I have no plans to read the book, I will not find out. Today, we all know that racism is still prevalent rather it is overt or subtle. Either way, America or any country will not be able to move on if we do not at least try to understand one another. So whatever this guy has to say, will not reach me, because the title alone tells me to keep moving.
Elders has not had an original thought in years.
The title is obviously from “Stupid White Men”, a best seller written by Micheal Moore about the Bush administration.
Elder is full of self-hate. And though he may claim to have the best intentions he doesn’t. He thinks that success is based on how white people perceive you. The better you look to them the more successful you are. What a joke.
Larry is simply saying that it’s time for blacks to rise above, to step up to the plate, to knock the perverbial chip off your shoulder and stop living in the past. Black men should BE men and take responsibility for their lives, and those they are responsible for. Stop living for and expecting handouts from Uncle Sam. Start working toward a solution to the problem and not being a part of it. Stop accusing whites of still being racially prejudice and using it for a crutch to not doing anything. While, in fact, if they were to be objective they would see that the hate and prejudice comes more from blacks than whites. The black friends that I have and enjoy being around are ACHIEVERS. I don’t enjoy being around complainers and negativism. Why don’t you call yourselves AMERICANS(which you are), and not AFRICAN-Americans? I don’t describe myself as Irish-American, or Italian-American. Of course, there will be a small segment of bigots on both sides of the fence. These are the people we should fight against. These are the vocal ones that the Liberal media use to cause unrest. This is what we should fight against to create a better America. Let’s face it, America is on a downward spiral. We are dying from the inside with a cancer that needs to be addressed. So, what are we going to do?