Jerry Butler

I found this book to be illuminating, contentious, and disturbing, that we as Americans still refuse to recognize and deal with systemic and institutional racism. As an educated Black man, I too have experienced many of the ill-wills of the dominate culture. However, I was prepared before leaving an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) what to expect and be judged differently. Therefore, my father, professors, and former college students prepared us to work 2-3 times harder, and be 2-3 times smarter for parity. However, the young man in this book did not have such guidance. We must realize that we do not live in a post-racial society. The U.S. was founded on racism through the trans-atlantic slave trade and many of its ideals are prevalent to today (Many of the founders of this democracy were slave owners; ie, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson). Instead of it being open and blatant, racism is discrete, subtle, and institutionalized. It is hard to get the privilege class to engage in a meaningful discussion about this subject without them being offended or embarassed. They simply want to leave it in the past. Consequently, there is little progress being made to resolve this issue. This book echoes a son's pain, as a Black man living in America, with a greiving heart of a mother wondering if she could have done more to prepare her son for the realities of life in the U.S. It is a commentary of who we are as a nation, and how far we have yet to go. I believe this book will open the eyes of anyone who is not a minority. It is a must read. Jerry L. Butler, PhD, MBA