Update: I don’t always agree with Debra Dickerson, author of The End of Blackness, but she usually makes me laugh. 
Check out “Black History Month is coming soon. I wonder: Will anyone pay me to be black for them this year?”
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John McWhorter certainly doesn’t need me to sell his books, but I’d like to recommend Authentically Black: Essays for the Black Silent Majority as a Christmas gift.
In a collection of essays, McWhorter covers topics like the idea of a black “double consciousness,” reparations, black stereotypes in television, skin color diversity, and so-called black leadership.
I referenced Authentically Black in my latest Townhall column, “A Minority’s Minority View.” The column, primarily written for new blog readers via Townhall, is about why I write about race so often. I’ve explained it all before to regular blog readers, so for you the column will be somewhat redundant.
Feedback from new readers below the fold:
Yvonne O. wrote:
Dear Ms. Barber,
I’m one of the thousands who read your blog daily. I like your writing style and I like what you have to say. You do bring another perspective to what is happening. I have never contacted you before, but after your latest column in Townhall, I just felt I needed to tell you that.
Keep up the good work. I know you don’t need to hear this, but stay true to yourself and don’t let PC pressure get you down.
An anonymous reader wrote:
I’m a black female conservative here in Lieberman country, so your words are resounding in my ears as a welcoming truth. As I agree with you, I also think there are deep rooted psychological reasons why blacks (and white liberals) automatically portray us as victims… African-Americans are easily 80 to 95% democrat, which means we have not only bought into the liberal victim philosophy, we pertutate it among ourselves…With this, comes the entitlement factor…[W]henever we as a community try to combat these issues by having conservative ideas or not upholding the status quo, liberals (the media) [are] there to socially combat and tear down these alternative solutions.
John D.
Good for you, La Shawn. As an old white guy, I think you and McWhorter and Sowell and Cosby and many other influential blacks are to be commended for preaching positiveness, to counter the MSM and the elite establishment and poverty pimps like Jesse J. and Al S. This is analagous to providing everything in Spanish for immigrants, making their lives easier in the short run, but depriving them of equal opportunities in the long run. I just wish more prominent black athletes like LaDamian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers to mention one would spend more time as
role models to disadvantaged kids in the ‘hood, this too would help open doors of opportunity.
Anonymous reader:
WOW! What a refreshing outlook you take on race and victimology. I can only imagine how you must be hated by the “race hustlers” and their flocks of mindless followers. These are what I call VIP’s; “Victims in Perpetuity”. From all indications, neither I, nor my children will live long enough to see the day most blacks see reality the way you do, but I’ll “keep hope alive”. You correctly recognize the prerequisite white guilt, or liberal aloofness necessary to nurture this PC poison; this black dependence on (white) government. I applaud you.
Sharon K. writes:
As one who knows that there are MANY brilliant, compassionate, hard-working, talented, religious, philanthropic,etc., black people in the world; I am soooo happy to see you and other blacks set the record straight and work for all your people to know they can succeed in this country. Here’s to you!~ May God bless you as you continue your very important good work.
Gene E. writes:
I am most concerned about the plight of urban blacks and the stoking of “we need help,” self-defeating remarks from Rangel, Jackson, Kennedy, et al.
Keep telling the truth; I will pray for you and do everything I can to dispel the notion blacks aren’t up to life’s challenges.
