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11corvus11's review
4.0
I dislike the title as it's a misnomer and thought the author kept the kid gloves on a bit too much. However, it was interesting to read more about Black conservatism and what their reasons are (or what's they claim they are at least.) She discussed a range of people from those likely having a mental health crisis like Kanye, clear grifters like Candace O, and non famous black folks who land on a more conservative place for a variety of reasons.
I would have preferred more exploration of the difference between those who go conservative and those who move further left to get away from Democrats. I also think the kid gloves approach of trying to be a respectful interviewer of the conservatives allowed then to sneak through some stuff that hides bigotry. But, they probably wouldn't have been honest at all if she went too hard at them.
It's def a good book for liberals, especially the more right wing ones, to read to understand how their assumption that they just get the black vote no matter how racist they are is harmful and will backfire again and again. If they can be open to the realization that some of the things some black conservatives say are correct, maybe they can do better.
I would have preferred more exploration of the difference between those who go conservative and those who move further left to get away from Democrats. I also think the kid gloves approach of trying to be a respectful interviewer of the conservatives allowed then to sneak through some stuff that hides bigotry. But, they probably wouldn't have been honest at all if she went too hard at them.
It's def a good book for liberals, especially the more right wing ones, to read to understand how their assumption that they just get the black vote no matter how racist they are is harmful and will backfire again and again. If they can be open to the realization that some of the things some black conservatives say are correct, maybe they can do better.
kevin_shepherd's review
4.0
“…the instinct to dismiss 2016 as a fluke and embrace 2020 as an unmitigated success—particularly when it comes to Black voters—obscures the crisis at hand within the Democratic Party …the Democratic Party has taken black voters for granted …that fragile alliance is beginning to fracture…”
Political parties, like most relationships, are rarely a perfect fit. Any engaged voter in a two party system is sooner or later handed a ballot upon which all of the available options are objectionable. So what do we do?
“Of two evils, the lesser is always to be chosen.” ~Thomas à Kempis, 1418
For some time now, the assumption has been that the Black American electorate will, when faced with unpalatable choices, always err on the side of the Democratic Party. In the past, Black voter support for capital “D” candidates has been crucial to their success but, as laid out by author Brandi Collins-Dexter, there are signs that POC party loyalty is slowly slipping away.
“For decades, Black voters have walked in the steps of those who chose the Democratic Party, but… I am trying a new direction because what’s been done before no longer serves me or us as Black voters.”
The author’s arguments are compelling. In statistical analysis and personal interviews she shows that an increasing percentage of Black Democrats are becoming disenchanted with what they see as detrimental party rhetoric. While there are still many who are working for real changes in party policy, there are others, whom Collins-Dexter refers to as “Black Skinheads,” who are jumping ship. Some are supporting third party candidates. Others are opting out of political discourse, disconnecting from a perceived “lose-lose” two party debacle. And still others are aligning themselves with the Republican Party—deciding they are better off with overt GOP white superiority rather than covert Democratic racism.
“Every time someone in power tries to say everything is fine, there will always be a group of people that feels [sic] like it’s not. That will see that it’s not. This is the inherent byproduct of capitalism, which intrinsically relies on an economic caste system that will always produce a disempowered group at the bottom.”
Personally speaking, I get it. The DNC is sailing under a flag of self-deception. I myself left the party in 2016, deciding I would rather be an Independent voter than one aligned with an organization who couldn’t muster enough electoral college votes to defeat the most vile windbag that ever stood behind a podium. But… I’m not so far off my rocker that I would shift my allegiance to the political party that birthed that said windbag. As much as I disagree with the likes of Thomas Sowell and Ben Carson and the late Herman Cain, they are all bellwethers of a political shift that needs to be acknowledged and addressed sooner rather than later.
“…despite outward appearances, Republicans do actually recognize that to stay relevant, they have to court Black voters on some level. When you listen to the Republican’s rhetoric, it’s not a secret they have run all the numbers, and they understand that if they can get 20 to 25 percent of the Black vote, then it’s over. They will win every time. And so, they know they have to find ways to convince Black people to their side—ideally without losing the base of Republican voters drawn in by racist talking points.”
Political parties, like most relationships, are rarely a perfect fit. Any engaged voter in a two party system is sooner or later handed a ballot upon which all of the available options are objectionable. So what do we do?
“Of two evils, the lesser is always to be chosen.” ~Thomas à Kempis, 1418
For some time now, the assumption has been that the Black American electorate will, when faced with unpalatable choices, always err on the side of the Democratic Party. In the past, Black voter support for capital “D” candidates has been crucial to their success but, as laid out by author Brandi Collins-Dexter, there are signs that POC party loyalty is slowly slipping away.
“For decades, Black voters have walked in the steps of those who chose the Democratic Party, but… I am trying a new direction because what’s been done before no longer serves me or us as Black voters.”
The author’s arguments are compelling. In statistical analysis and personal interviews she shows that an increasing percentage of Black Democrats are becoming disenchanted with what they see as detrimental party rhetoric. While there are still many who are working for real changes in party policy, there are others, whom Collins-Dexter refers to as “Black Skinheads,” who are jumping ship. Some are supporting third party candidates. Others are opting out of political discourse, disconnecting from a perceived “lose-lose” two party debacle. And still others are aligning themselves with the Republican Party—deciding they are better off with overt GOP white superiority rather than covert Democratic racism.
“Every time someone in power tries to say everything is fine, there will always be a group of people that feels [sic] like it’s not. That will see that it’s not. This is the inherent byproduct of capitalism, which intrinsically relies on an economic caste system that will always produce a disempowered group at the bottom.”
Personally speaking, I get it. The DNC is sailing under a flag of self-deception. I myself left the party in 2016, deciding I would rather be an Independent voter than one aligned with an organization who couldn’t muster enough electoral college votes to defeat the most vile windbag that ever stood behind a podium. But… I’m not so far off my rocker that I would shift my allegiance to the political party that birthed that said windbag. As much as I disagree with the likes of Thomas Sowell and Ben Carson and the late Herman Cain, they are all bellwethers of a political shift that needs to be acknowledged and addressed sooner rather than later.
“…despite outward appearances, Republicans do actually recognize that to stay relevant, they have to court Black voters on some level. When you listen to the Republican’s rhetoric, it’s not a secret they have run all the numbers, and they understand that if they can get 20 to 25 percent of the Black vote, then it’s over. They will win every time. And so, they know they have to find ways to convince Black people to their side—ideally without losing the base of Republican voters drawn in by racist talking points.”
getlitwithbernadette's review
4.0
Black Skinhead is controversial. Yet, extremely entertaining. Collins-Dexter explains through a series of essays, the complex disillusionment of the Black voter. She uses an array of examples to support, my favourites: the dissection of Kanye West, and the interview with Adult entertainer, Lotus Lain.
I thoroughly enjoyed the facts & research analysis but thought at times, it became prejudice toward certain ideologies.
Regardless, Collins-Dexter provides awareness and discussion on challenging subjects. The moments of comic relief and relatability, made this read a lovely one.
I thoroughly enjoyed the facts & research analysis but thought at times, it became prejudice toward certain ideologies.
Regardless, Collins-Dexter provides awareness and discussion on challenging subjects. The moments of comic relief and relatability, made this read a lovely one.
emilyisoverbooked's review
3.0
Thanks to Celadon Books for the copy of this ARC.
“This is the thing about how our narratives are often taken from us and reinterpreted. We are stripped of our voices even when telling the stories of our own lives, families, and histories. We’re told we’ve never had anything, which plays into public pathologies of Black people as having not done enough to improve our own station in life, when the reality is many of us were actively deprived of property ownership and economic opportunities. But even when your mind doesn’t know, your body does. Those memories of fear and struggle live in your body for generations.”
This collection of essays is so unique, focusing on politics from a Black perspective and interwoven with the author’s own personal coming of age story. With many pop culture references and explorations of the world around her, Brandi Collins-Dexter explores the relationship between Black voters and the Democratic Party, and what the political future of Black voters looks like. This wasn’t totally what I expected, but I really appreciate how Brandi wrote this book to read well. Her story makes for a vibrant read while also addressing a difficult perspective that many (myself included) need to hear.
“This is the thing about how our narratives are often taken from us and reinterpreted. We are stripped of our voices even when telling the stories of our own lives, families, and histories. We’re told we’ve never had anything, which plays into public pathologies of Black people as having not done enough to improve our own station in life, when the reality is many of us were actively deprived of property ownership and economic opportunities. But even when your mind doesn’t know, your body does. Those memories of fear and struggle live in your body for generations.”
This collection of essays is so unique, focusing on politics from a Black perspective and interwoven with the author’s own personal coming of age story. With many pop culture references and explorations of the world around her, Brandi Collins-Dexter explores the relationship between Black voters and the Democratic Party, and what the political future of Black voters looks like. This wasn’t totally what I expected, but I really appreciate how Brandi wrote this book to read well. Her story makes for a vibrant read while also addressing a difficult perspective that many (myself included) need to hear.
leslico's review
5.0
Very impactful and thought provoking book which introduced a lot of new things I haven't learned or thought about as a white Canadian. I need more books like this in my life!
epubprincess's review
4.0
This book does a good job of breaking down my political angst as a black woman in America. Many of us feel unserved by both political parties and disillusioned with the two-party system as a whole. We feel unappreciated in the Democratic Party and unwelcome in the Republican Party. Collins-Dexter brands these political outliers as Black Skinheads (from the Kanye West song).
The structure of this book is odd. In between some chapters are interludes, which are unrelated shorter chapters. I didn’t really like these. The book starts off strong and very focused on the main thesis of the book: that black voters are increasingly disillusioned by our current political system. at the disappointment of the Obama years and the ways in which our political landscape has changed since then.
There are lots of personal anecdotes — this book is part memoir. I didn’t feel like this aspect of the book was as strong or as necessary as the political analysis. As the book goes on, it explores other topics like wrestling and Playboy. While interesting, these tangents made the book feel unfocused.
I also think that the author gives way too much credit to Kanye West, someone who has become extremely hard to support these last few years. I appreciated her attempts to provide nuance for some of Kanye’s more offensive statements, but he’s no longer someone I look to as a leader of any kind. (Update: Kanye has announced that he doesn’t read. Enough said.)
Collins-Dexter looks at black MAGA supporters, their subculture, and what led them to their current political beliefs. This part is interesting because it explores the possibility of more black voters voting against the status quo. Overall, I think this book does a good job of exploring the political future of black voters.
The structure of this book is odd. In between some chapters are interludes, which are unrelated shorter chapters. I didn’t really like these. The book starts off strong and very focused on the main thesis of the book: that black voters are increasingly disillusioned by our current political system. at the disappointment of the Obama years and the ways in which our political landscape has changed since then.
There are lots of personal anecdotes — this book is part memoir. I didn’t feel like this aspect of the book was as strong or as necessary as the political analysis. As the book goes on, it explores other topics like wrestling and Playboy. While interesting, these tangents made the book feel unfocused.
I also think that the author gives way too much credit to Kanye West, someone who has become extremely hard to support these last few years. I appreciated her attempts to provide nuance for some of Kanye’s more offensive statements, but he’s no longer someone I look to as a leader of any kind. (Update: Kanye has announced that he doesn’t read. Enough said.)
Collins-Dexter looks at black MAGA supporters, their subculture, and what led them to their current political beliefs. This part is interesting because it explores the possibility of more black voters voting against the status quo. Overall, I think this book does a good job of exploring the political future of black voters.
laylacarstairs's review
4.0
4/5 stars
“When I talk to middle-class Black people and ask them where things for gone wrong for Black people, the number one answer I constantly hear integration. I hear it so often, I don't even get surprised by it anymore. They (well me, too) are out here living like T'Challa, impervious to the nation of Killmongers being created through economic starvation, unaware of the growing economic divides in the Black community and the people—and shared culture—now left behind. If Black culture is only the realm of the elite, how do we survive that?”
Thank you to Celadon Books for sending me a review copy!
I am not one to often read non-fiction books but I had to read a book about American Politics for school so I thought why not choose one I already owned. This book surprised me- I learned so much about Black Americans and their journeys in improving life for their community. As someone who is left-leaning politically, it was interesting to read about the different avenues pursued by Black Americans to achieve growth for their community. I read about Black Republicans, Black Democrats, and even Black voters who abstained from the vote to protest the lack of change for the community. This book opened my eyes to the way the Democratic party takes advantage of the Black American votership and how their needs have yet to be satisfied. A really eye-opening book, told in the form of essays that captivated my attention and had me wanting to learn more. I definitely would recommend this book, it teaches you a lot!
“When I talk to middle-class Black people and ask them where things for gone wrong for Black people, the number one answer I constantly hear integration. I hear it so often, I don't even get surprised by it anymore. They (well me, too) are out here living like T'Challa, impervious to the nation of Killmongers being created through economic starvation, unaware of the growing economic divides in the Black community and the people—and shared culture—now left behind. If Black culture is only the realm of the elite, how do we survive that?”
Thank you to Celadon Books for sending me a review copy!
I am not one to often read non-fiction books but I had to read a book about American Politics for school so I thought why not choose one I already owned. This book surprised me- I learned so much about Black Americans and their journeys in improving life for their community. As someone who is left-leaning politically, it was interesting to read about the different avenues pursued by Black Americans to achieve growth for their community. I read about Black Republicans, Black Democrats, and even Black voters who abstained from the vote to protest the lack of change for the community. This book opened my eyes to the way the Democratic party takes advantage of the Black American votership and how their needs have yet to be satisfied. A really eye-opening book, told in the form of essays that captivated my attention and had me wanting to learn more. I definitely would recommend this book, it teaches you a lot!