First published 2007
Randall Kenan confronts America's ongoing racial struggles in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The acclaimed writer combines personal memoir with sharp cultural commentary to assess how far the nation has traveled since the civil rights era. Kenan traces his observations from childhood memories to contemporary realities, revealing a complex landscape where progress mingles with persistent problems. He examines how the word "nigger" has transformed into hip-hop vernacular, how African-Americans in high political office often embrace conservative ideologies, and how the spiritual music that once fueled social movements has given way to aggressive rap. His analysis spans from historical giants like W. E. B. Du Bois and Martin Luther King Jr. to modern figures including Oprah Winfrey, O. J. Simpson, Clarence Thomas, and Barack Obama. Written as a tribute to James Baldwin's influential work, Kenan's book offers readers both unflinching diagnosis and passionate hope for transcending America's racial divisions.
Genres: american, african-american, social-issues, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, cultural-studies
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-narrative, social-commentary
Setting: America, United States
Period: Civil Rights Era, Contemporary
149 pages · Hardcover · Melville House