The Black List

by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Elvis Mitchell

Twenty-two prominent African-Americans share their personal stories and insights into the struggles, triumphs, and joys of black culture in America, in a volume that includes contributions by such figures as Toni Morrison, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Colin Powell. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Biography, Audiobook, Nonfiction, History, Photography

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2008

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

My original thought, based on the preface, was that I likely would not like the book as it would be little more than a caterwaul about white oppression. It turned out to not be that way at all, and was really quite a positive reflection of the experiences of these African-Americans in a culture where skin color often worked to divide a single race. At the end I was quite hopeful that my great-grandchildren might listen to a similar work that would be truly boring were it to use the same premise, "black," and perhaps might have moved on to a division based on religion, or a different facet of ethnicity/culture that had taken the place of skin color as a discriminator.

[Phobean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little put-off by this rambling, seemingly unedited collection of vignettes. The photo portraits aren't particularly inspiring, and the secondary portraits (for lack of a better term) are downright odd as they show the subjects at uncomfortable angles and each includes either the book's author, the photographer, or both (why?).

Many of the vignettes are as awkward and disjointed -which is exactly what one expects of normal, unedited human thought -which made me wonder about this book's intent. Was it to bring these "stars" of African American culture down to a level that we less accomplished people find more accessible? Was it to appear fresh, unusual -a sort of flash-in-the-pan approach to the traditional collection of "star" photos/biographies?

I couldn't really figure the book out, though I did read the whole thing. In the end, I did appreciate a number of the snapshots/inner thoughts (the playwright being my favorite), so I vote 2 stars.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read and a more interesting exhibit. Some of the traditional people were included like Al Sharpton and Colin Powell, however, many people who were unknown to me were included. Information about each individual was included in the back of the book rather than before the interview began. The prose was presented as a conversation and often times it felt like the reader had entered a conversation already in progress. It become the responsibility of the reader to learn about the individual prior to reading the selection in order to have a sense of who the individual is and why he or she may have been included in the book. The concepts of discourse, viewing life through a myriad of lenses and marginality are themes that resonated through out the text.

My edition is signed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders; a welcome edition to my library.

[Dave Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really incredible insight into current A list black celebrities and what their experience with being black in America has been like. Goes across the gamut from Slash (arguably one the greatest guitarist of all time, next to Jimmy of course) to Sean Combs to Colin Powell to Toni Morrison. Music, Movies, the news might show one thing but this show a wide array of what different people went through and now and are on high class. They're are some things I don't agree with but let's treat this like a college class. I liked some of my professor but I didn't like some of the things they said at Northeastern. Take it with a grain of salt. You should check this book out!!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that there was an emphasis on what it means to be successful in the media and be black. Many black folks don't want to carry the wait of being black on their shoulders, whether it's they are successful and black or they are just another black person that failed. Instead there is a desire to just be, and the freedom to be average about it. When compared to their white counter-parts, there isn't a responsibility for white folks to narrate on how it feels to be successful in-spite of they color of their skin. This country still has a ways to go on providing equality in all regards for all people.

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The portraits in this book are beautiful and honest, and whatever questions were asked clearly got the subjects of each photo to open up about their experiences in Black America. The only flaw was that the monologues sometimes got confusing since the questions were edited out of the interview transcript, and there were a few publishing errors that caused sections of the text to be repeated. Hopefully a new edition will come out, and this will be the must-have book for anyone raising a black child. The stories were so inspirational that people of all races will benefit from reading this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I listened to this on audio. It was just perfect for a 2-hour car ride and I loved listening to these people talk about their lives. It was powerful to hear their voices. There were some that I have fundamental disagreements with on major issues (Faye Wattleton, I’m looking at you) but I loved hearing about their life experiences, how they process race in America today and how they got where they are. Very short snippets of their lives, but compelling enough to make me want to read a whole bunch of biographies.

I think it’s possible, based on the other books written by this author and a few of the professions represented that some pictures in the book could be inappropriate. I’ll update if I get my hands on the book eventually.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this one. Some of the stories were interesting but I think it would have been better if you could watch the actual interviews - it was set up as a transcript from the interviews.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of photographs and essays from Black leaders. I would have appreciated more depth.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the concept, but it lacked depth.

[Saul]

Xxx

[LaDonna Vroman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very eye opening.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was 27 stories of such a wide range of black people with such different opinions and out looks on life. I love that it shows that black people are not a monolith that has only one outlook on life and the same experiences. I can not tell you enough how refreshing that is. Chris Rock was talking about how some interviews he went on asked if he though his career was making black people look bad. He responded with the idea of watching the 3 stoodges but never thought that ALL white people were stupid. he just took it as comedy. I can not say it enough how great it is to see such a diverse collection of black voices with differing opinions on what the black community should live, how the black community can help each other, their experiences growing up ect.

I liked this book. It is more a collection of stories with the over arching theme of stories from black people. It didn't necessarily have a consistent theme throughout which I didn't mind. I absolutely loves the diversity of the stories.

Some of my favorites that I wrote down while listening at work.

"In my neighborhood theres like 3, 4 black people in my neighborhood in Alpine and ok its me Gary Sheffield, Mary J. Blige, Patrick Ewing. Hall of famer, hall of famer, greatest R=B singer of our time, decent comedian. Who lives next to me? Who's the white man next to me? He's a dentist. He didn't invest anything. He's just a dentist. That's what America is"
- Chris Rock

[In a conversation with his father about dropping out of college]
"I see it like this, if I have a cushion that I know I can fall on I'll allow myself to fall. I said but if I know there is nothing but hard concrete Imma do my best to stay standing"
-Waynes

"The true equality is the equality to suck like the white man"
-Chris Rock

[Kristal Stidham]

Dozens of famous African-Americans recall memories, struggles, and lessons learned on their path to success. I listened to this book on audio, which was great because it includes the voices of the interviewees, but disappointing because not all of the original subjects are included. (A puzzling choice, since the abridged audiobook is less than two hours long.) With regards to content, I found it to be interesting but not all that profound. I think I'll likely only remember one part: Rev. Al Sharpton's reflections on rap music artists.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book with interviews of famous black/African American people. It is interesting to hear their thoughts and the narration is well done. (I listened to it on cd). Some people I know such as Collin Powell but others I did not know at all. The hard cover book has pictures of the people so I have ordered it from the library to view. I would give it an extra half star if I could.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this in an abridged version, and I really wish I had the full thing now. Wonderful snippets of leaders in the black community about the arts, society, racism, history, and more. I found it inspirational, educational, and insightful. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from Slash, Chris Rock, and Al Sharpton. I highly recommend this in audio form, as the authors read their pieces. It adds to the overall book. Well worth the listen.

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Replacing the negative connotation of the term Black List, the authors put together a collection of interviews with African American who are outstanding in their fields. Well known people were selected to represent the fields of arts, government, sports and business. Each subject discusses in a stream of consciousness style the things that challenged them or pushed them upward in their climb up the ladder of success.

[Shawn]

I am so happy this book was created. I think every person should own this to read about amazing pioneers and african americans should own it to know some of the people that are legends,still living and of african american decent.

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wonderful--Great stories, wonderful photography

[Bettie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not iunterested in this right now.

[Kecia]

Since this is a coffee-table book, I'm kinda-sorta "currently reading" it...in that I pick it up when I think about it, read a profile, and put it down.

[Mrs. T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. quick, nice images and found out some things I didn't know.

[Brian TramueL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to these stories via the Hoopla app. It did a great service to hear the 'list' in their own voices.

[Jason Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!