Review of The Black Problem In America
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TONGJAL WUNGAKHA
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- Latest Review: The Black Problem In America by Steven B Lofton
Review of The Black Problem In America
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Black Problem In America" by Steven B Lofton.]
The Black Problem in America by Stephen B. Lofton
The Black Problem in America: And It Ain’t Racism Nor the Cops is an insider exposition on the problems of the Black community in America. In this compelling autobiographical piece, the author argues against the projected problem of the Black community in America as racism. He argues his case against the backdrop of a legal battle between his parents and the Los Angeles Unified School District, involving the state, which lasted for almost the entire lifetime of his parents. This was a battle in seeking to secure their fundamental right to work, which according to the author, underlines their entitlement to any other right in America. The consequences involved also the author and his siblings; which includes intermittent apprehension by the state security agencies.
Drawing from personal experiences, including the narrative of his grandfather’s lifetime and experiences through his parent’s, he drives home the point that the problems of the Black community in America consists mainly of the following: Ignorance towards the provincialist nature of the American society, inadequate and ineffective representation of the Black community in state affairs, the falsity of the social welfare programmes for the Black community, among several others. Most fundamental of the problems, according to Lofton, is the first mentioned above. Lofton will be pleased if his work informs the majority of the Black community, as against their confusing provincialism for racism. He describes provincialism as a situation where a community looks out for its kind before considering an alien.
I find the book enlightening and informative, especially for the fact that I am an outsider to the American society and a novice to understanding the affairs of the United States. Having an insider account to unravelling the misconception of provincialism as racism, as described by the author, leaves me curious.
The journey into the book was dull at entry point, and sounded overly serious; though I did not expect less than that. What tends to put me off was the inclusion of scanned documents occupying about forty-three percent of the entire book (that is about 181 pages out of 421). However, it is unkind not to mention that it was all in support of the facts the author was trying to put forth. In addition, the book reads like a draft awaiting professional touch. It appears to be self-published, which implies it was self-edited. This is evidenced by several omissions and misappropriation of punctuations here and there in the book. Aside these, his inter-twining personal experiences with national matters was well done.
Hoping it does not remain at the level it is, that is to say it advances to a credible publisher, I will rate it 2 out of 4 stars. The book will be suitable for anyone concerned about understanding the discuss around racism in the states and the ones who are seen to be most victimised by it on the public scenes. This book is also for anyone who seeks to understand the other side of the debate that does not fault solely the white for the perils bedevilling the Black community in America.
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The Black Problem In America
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Black Problem in America by Stephen B. Lofton
The Black Problem in America: And It Ain’t Racism Nor the Cops is an insider exposition on the problems of the Black community in America. In this compelling autobiographical piece, the author argues against the projected problem of the Black community in America as racism. He argues his case against the backdrop of a legal battle between his parents and the Los Angeles Unified School District, involving the state, which lasted for almost the entire lifetime of his parents. This was a battle in seeking to secure their fundamental right to work, which according to the author, underlines their entitlement to any other right in America. The consequences involved also the author and his siblings; which includes intermittent apprehension by the state security agencies.
Drawing from personal experiences, including the narrative of his grandfather’s lifetime and experiences through his parent’s, he drives home the point that the problems of the Black community in America consists mainly of the following: Ignorance towards the provincialist nature of the American society, inadequate and ineffective representation of the Black community in state affairs, the falsity of the social welfare programmes for the Black community, among several others. Most fundamental of the problems, according to Lofton, is the first mentioned above. Lofton will be pleased if his work informs the majority of the Black community, as against their confusing provincialism for racism. He describes provincialism as a situation where a community looks out for its kind before considering an alien.
I find the book enlightening and informative, especially for the fact that I am an outsider to the American society and a novice to understanding the affairs of the United States. Having an insider account to unravelling the misconception of provincialism as racism, as described by the author, leaves me curious.
The journey into the book was dull at entry point, and sounded overly serious; though I did not expect less than that. What tends to put me off was the inclusion of scanned documents occupying about forty-three percent of the entire book (that is about 181 pages out of 421). However, it is unkind not to mention that it was all in support of the facts the author was trying to put forth. In addition, the book reads like a draft awaiting professional touch. It appears to be self-published, which implies it was self-edited. This is evidenced by several omissions and misappropriation of punctuations here and there in the book. Aside these, his inter-twining personal experiences with national matters was well done.
Hoping it does not remain at the level it is, that is to say it advances to a credible publisher, I will rate it 2 out of 4 stars. The book will be suitable for anyone concerned about understanding the discuss around racism in the states and the ones who are seen to be most victimised by it on the public scenes. This book is also for anyone who seeks to understand the other side of the debate that does not fault solely the white for the perils bedevilling the Black community in America.
******
The Black Problem In America
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Black Problem In America by Steven B Lofton
