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The Panthers Can't Save Us Now: Debating Black Life, Policing and Left Struggle by Cedric Johnson
lukes_ramblingwritings66's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book is a collection of essays that begins with Cedric Johnson’s essay that bears the name of the title, a follow-up essay also written by Johnson, four essays that respond with both agreements and criticisms of Johnson’s critique of the Black Lives Matter movement and the identity politics within, and a final response essay by Johnson himself. Johnson’s main critique is that the current movement is based on racial disparity alone, and does not include class disparity in the equation when there are discussions surrounding mass incarcerations and police brutality against black bodies.
I found Johnson’s critique very well researched from a class and labor perspective and something that stood out to me was his perspective on how the Black Lives Matter movement felt very much like a marketing campaign at certain points with the founders getting into arguments with individuals wanting to use the hashtag. He writes how it showed more entrepreneurial product branding than something born out of a social struggle and that was interesting to note (pg43).
He also criticizes the idea of black exceptionalism and how trying to establish a collective unity amongst Black Americans is not possible because there are differing politics between what Johnson identifies as the Black Bourgeois and the Black working class, using examples of how Black Americans who buy into the neoliberalization of their communities and will eventually push/vote for more policing and will be harder on crime (pg46, 53)
As far as the responses go, the essays critiquing Johnson’s essay do bring up solid points, however, Johnson’s follow-up essay at the end acknowledges said critiques and even points out their arguments still rely on not only the neoliberal identity politics, but also the hopeful outlook that the Democratic party would unite the large demographic of black voters. Johnsons writes about the Democratic Party “What should be clear to anyone paying attention is that the New Democrats are much more willing to embrace versions of liberal anti-racism than they are willing to make substantial commitments to broadly redistributive public policy. (Pg171). After reading this, I can only think of the recent event when most of the propped up “good guys” in the Democratic Party (Bernie, AoC, etc) voted to send more of the United States’ money to Israel, rather than call for a permanent ceasefire and invest that money into affordable housing and healthcare for millions of Americans that cannot afford either.
I found Johnson’s critique very well researched from a class and labor perspective and something that stood out to me was his perspective on how the Black Lives Matter movement felt very much like a marketing campaign at certain points with the founders getting into arguments with individuals wanting to use the hashtag. He writes how it showed more entrepreneurial product branding than something born out of a social struggle and that was interesting to note (pg43).
He also criticizes the idea of black exceptionalism and how trying to establish a collective unity amongst Black Americans is not possible because there are differing politics between what Johnson identifies as the Black Bourgeois and the Black working class, using examples of how Black Americans who buy into the neoliberalization of their communities and will eventually push/vote for more policing and will be harder on crime (pg46, 53)
As far as the responses go, the essays critiquing Johnson’s essay do bring up solid points, however, Johnson’s follow-up essay at the end acknowledges said critiques and even points out their arguments still rely on not only the neoliberal identity politics, but also the hopeful outlook that the Democratic party would unite the large demographic of black voters. Johnsons writes about the Democratic Party “What should be clear to anyone paying attention is that the New Democrats are much more willing to embrace versions of liberal anti-racism than they are willing to make substantial commitments to broadly redistributive public policy. (Pg171). After reading this, I can only think of the recent event when most of the propped up “good guys” in the Democratic Party (Bernie, AoC, etc) voted to send more of the United States’ money to Israel, rather than call for a permanent ceasefire and invest that money into affordable housing and healthcare for millions of Americans that cannot afford either.
growing_zoe's review
4.0
While I did enjoy the points and sentiments presented within this book which I haven’t seen fully fleshed out until now, there are still a few problems I have with this publication.
Although this critique seems very surface level, I still believe that the amount of elongated terms and layered academic writing fundamentally work in hypocrisy of what Johnson is fighting for. For the majority of his essays, he is arguing that the most effective way to tackle the heaps of issues within America is through joining together as third and working class citizens rather than focusing on race, but he proceeds to establish these beliefs in a highly academic way of writing, using constant litanies of complicated terms which make his writing difficult to read or understand without a college-level education, which is what lower classes often lack. Academic writing has always been an unsaid institutionalized way to gatekeep certain discussions and education from the less educated/privileged, so it’s just puzzling to me to see Johnson upkeep this pattern when fighting so hard for lower class citizens which often don’t have the money to peruse higher educations, though I suppose since he has a PhD, it might be hard to break out of the habit of layered academic writing or simplifying what he’s saying when there are already terms that explain what he needs established.
I did enjoy how he included two differing opinions from his own since they voiced a few of my concerns, and it was interesting to see how he combat them as well. Although I still wasn’t fully convinced of his narrative by the end, I found his rebuttal easier to read, probably because he had a more systematic way of addressing his disagreements and explaining them in detail. Either way, including differing opinions within your own publication is admirable to me whether I end up agreeing or not.
Although I know there were good arguments and sentiments expressed within this book, I already know I’ll need to reread it in it’s entirety with a dictionary by my side if I want to fully grasp what Johnson is saying, which is a shame since I was so excited to read this and apply what I learned to my life when I first bought it.
Although this critique seems very surface level, I still believe that the amount of elongated terms and layered academic writing fundamentally work in hypocrisy of what Johnson is fighting for. For the majority of his essays, he is arguing that the most effective way to tackle the heaps of issues within America is through joining together as third and working class citizens rather than focusing on race, but he proceeds to establish these beliefs in a highly academic way of writing, using constant litanies of complicated terms which make his writing difficult to read or understand without a college-level education, which is what lower classes often lack. Academic writing has always been an unsaid institutionalized way to gatekeep certain discussions and education from the less educated/privileged, so it’s just puzzling to me to see Johnson upkeep this pattern when fighting so hard for lower class citizens which often don’t have the money to peruse higher educations, though I suppose since he has a PhD, it might be hard to break out of the habit of layered academic writing or simplifying what he’s saying when there are already terms that explain what he needs established.
I did enjoy how he included two differing opinions from his own since they voiced a few of my concerns, and it was interesting to see how he combat them as well. Although I still wasn’t fully convinced of his narrative by the end, I found his rebuttal easier to read, probably because he had a more systematic way of addressing his disagreements and explaining them in detail. Either way, including differing opinions within your own publication is admirable to me whether I end up agreeing or not.
Although I know there were good arguments and sentiments expressed within this book, I already know I’ll need to reread it in it’s entirety with a dictionary by my side if I want to fully grasp what Johnson is saying, which is a shame since I was so excited to read this and apply what I learned to my life when I first bought it.
bedsidearchive's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Cedric and other contributors describe the shortcomings of the Black Panther Party, Black nationalism, and the current Black Lives Matter Movement in achieving concrete demands. Class struggle across all working-class and poor communities needs to be the in movements in order to achieve collective goals. Finding similarities in difference is difficult, but as Johnson emphasizes, is necessary. I think this commentary is something that is so needed, especially from Black writers. Short, but an informative read.
blaisef's review
Insightful but dense, long chapters and paragraphs. Felt like a lot of asides to make related points. Couldn't get a handle on where it was going usually.
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