Brutal facts for brutal acts 2010-08-29

Reviewer: Jeff King

Tim Wise provides a searing update on the new racism that has entered the sociopolitical mindscape in the United States. He provides thought-provoking facts, both current and historical, that demonstrate a behind-the-scenes unconscious agenda played out in society because of unacknowledged white privilege. Not even Obama escapes the pressures of the new racism. I am sending copies to my family members and friends.

Great 2010-08-20

Reviewer: Scott

Shipment was fast. The book came in really good condition. Hope to use this seller in the future.

Is Race a pure Strategy for de-railing the Obama political train? 2010-08-14

Reviewer: Herbert L Calhoun

Tim Wise, along with Robert Jensen (at the University of Texas, Austin) is among only a handful of vocal, activist, white, anti-racists still remaining in America. In this irreverent book that appears to have gone to press just shortly after Obama's election, Wise proves that he is not afraid to call a "spade a spade" even in race-sensitive America, and even when the subject is "our first Black President."

Although his main point in this penetrating series of "essay like commentaries" seem to have been that of raising the level of consciousness about the subtle differences between white denial in Racism 1.0 and the newer even more pernicious denial in Racism version 2.0, Wise does one other thing that I think is even more important than the message about the continuing evolution of white denial. He also goes about removing all pretense (and the remaining clothes) from our race-allergic" biracial Emperor, on the issue of race.

By taking no quarter with Obama's clearly established "race-cowardice" stance, in the face of the most devastating social and political meltdown in the black community ever, Wise establishes himself as the voice to be heard in America's conversation on race. One that is increasingly being commandeered and dominated by the likes of Sarah Palin's "Tea Party," and the shock Jocks from the racist radical right like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. As always, Wise has learned that when talking about race, one must come armed with all the facts, and here he is a virtual encyclopedia of facts about the alarming increase in the chasm in the racial divide -- mostly as a result of Racism 2.0.

But on the other topic of this book, Obama's skittishness on race, I agree with the author entirely: that Obama's disgraceful "pandering" to the white supremacist vote, harks back to the old days of the Jim Crow South, where right up through the election night parties, blacks were "wined and dined," but on the morning after the election, they were the only ones "missing in action" when it came to handing out the political goodies. And oddly, with the Shirley Sherrod flap, and Obama's gratuitous announcement that "there is no black agenda," this pattern has gotten worse rather than better since this book went to press.

To their credit, the "Tea Party," the shock jocks from the right, and Fox News pundits, all smell blood in Obama's skittishness on the issue of race. As a result, they are able to fashion, based on this vulnerability, a "pure strategy" for ruining Obama's chances of a continued veto-proof Congress, and ultimately for derailing any attempt by him of trying to win a second term. Sadly, as Wise so carefully points out, Obama and his Chicago handlers are falling for this racist "okie-doke," and right into the radical right's trap: When the idiots of the far right say "boo," like a cage of monkeys in the zoo, the Obama administration, first pees, and then jumps all over themselves. Thus as anyone can plainly see (from the Shirley Sherrod "attack and then retreat;" the withdrawal of his own hand-picked appointee for the EPA, the inept "Beer Summit," Robert Gibbs' mindless declaration about the "professional left," and declaring that "there is no black agenda") there is clearly an established pattern by the Obama administration of showing Blacks and other progressives (the ones who went to the well for him to get him elected) a kind of gratuitous disrespect for their concerns.

This pattern of "flipping the bird at those who elected him," is one that we have not seen since the "unctuous politicians" of the racist Jim Crow South: By "pandering," "tacking," and "triangulating" to the white supremacist vote, Obama and his handlers may think they are being politically clever, but as this book demonstrates, doing so has the very high costs of making our new biracial President seem just plain weak and timid, and weak and timid, for anyone who remembers Jimmy Carter, just happen to be the very two qualities from which a politician never recovers. A solid Five Stars.

impact of texts on black and white relations 2010-05-28

Reviewer: Phyllis G. Weisberg

this book details some of the problems existing in the relations of whites and blacks in America. Much as individuals may wish to think or accept that there has been improvement in these relations, the text pinpoints the problems still present. it is a worthwhile read and an eye opener....

Between Barrack and a Hard Place... 2010-05-26

Reviewer: Mr. Joel L. Sys

An excellent read about racism which still exists in the US today. Tim Wise has throughly researched this topic and has presented it in a way that most everyone can undersatnd the topic and its ramifications to society. We are living it through all people the President of the United States, Barrack Obama.