Rating: 
Summary: A Life-Altering Book for Everyone -- Black as Well as White
Review: In Scam, Jesse Lee Peterson has written a superb book. Scam is so much more than an expose of the corrupt black leadership. It would be best described as a book of practical insight and sincere inspiration - a book on how to live righteously with strength - using the black leadership as a case study to reveal these reverberating truths. Throughout the book I was caused to look within myself. Was I standing up against black racism as strongly as I should? Was I fulfilling my responsibility to spread the truth and oppose evil? This book re-ignited my commitment to speaking for truth on matters of race. Not only did Rev. Peterson show why whites and blacks have a responsibility to this, but he also made apparent the dark consequences of failing to do so. The book is chockfull of Rev. Peterson's own experiences in standing against black leaders. These episodes were always inspiring and very good reading. I can't understand how a person could read this and not be amazed by Rev. Peterson's example - or not feel the need to follow it. The book is a great history lesson and educational tool. It is amazing how transparently evil these "leaders" actually are and how vacuous their message is. Rev. Peterson presented this in such a sober, common-sense manner that only the most hate-filled reader could not be disgusted by the preachers of hate. I must emphasize that this book is for EVERYONE - not just blacks. It is pure truth - a prescription for all to live rightly and stand for truth. It will open the eyes of blacks and show them how to change. It will invigorate those who are not black and remind them of their obligation to stand strong and set an example. Scam is a superbly written, well-researched, inspiring, eye-opening, life-altering book. I am a changed man for having read it. I recommend it to all - black and white, men and women, young and old. You will never be the same.
Rating:
Summary: In a word.... OUCH!
Review: In the early 20th century, Booker T.Washington had a premonition: "There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs - partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose their grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs." Sounds like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, and Louis Farrakhan to me. Thus opens the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson's new book, "SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America" (WND Books, 2003). Peterson, founder and president of the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny (BOND) and author of "From Rage to Responsibility," lays into the modern day civil rights establishment in ways that would make even Rush Limbaugh wince. He shows the ways in which this "other class of coloured people" profits from black misery and racial strife just as Booker T. Washington described almost a century ago. In exposing modern day black "leadership" for what it truly is, the author's main thesis is that the problems of the black community are due to a lack of moral character and not racism. In other words, we no longer need leaders - we need change. Peterson devotes an entire chapter on the abysmal failing of the NAACP and why that organization should be boycotted, showing how "the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization" is completely out of step with the needs of black America. Over 90% of black homicides in America are committed by other blacks, but instead of addressing the root causes of black-on-black crime, the NAACP absurdly blames gun manufacturers. The average black public high school graduate has in reality only an eighth-grade education, yet the NAAPC vehemently opposes school choice - a policy overwhelming supported by black parents. Over 70% of black babies in America are born out of wedlock, yet Julian Bond and Kweisi Mfume would prefer to tackle "more important" issues - such as the supposed lack of minorities on popular television shows. Peterson sums up his critique by concluding "If the NAACP were truly concerned about black issues, it would focus most of its attention on black-on-black crime, restoring morality in black men, and supporting policies that strengthen black families... But as these moves would increase the real-world welfare of blacks... the NAACP wants nothing to do with them." Ouch! "SCAM" addresses how the fear of publicly being labeled "racist" causes many whites to hold their tongues when they see things run amuck in the black community (yet black liberals are given virtual carte blanche to publicly spew all manner of invective at whites and/or black conservatives). This fear prevents Americans from engaging in honest dialogue about race (think of the recent fallout over Rush Limbaugh's comments about NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb and you'll get the idea), and serves the interests of self-appointed black "leaders" and their liberal white sympathizers. As the average white person would rather be labeled a child molester than a racist, Peterson urges whites to no longer fall prey to such psychological bullying. (To wit, there is nothing wrong with the word "niggardly.") BOND puts on the annual National Day of Repudiation of Jesse Jackson, so it is no surprise that the author saves the lion's share of his venom for the self-proclaimed "heir-apparent" to Dr. Martin Luther King. Citing investigative reporter Kenneth Timmerman's best-selling tell-all "Shakedown" (I still can't believe Jackson was brazen enough to take his pregnant mistress with him to the White House for a photo-op with then-President Clinton!), Peterson rips into this improperly ordained minister like a buzz saw. The author also discusses why he is presently suing Jackson and his associates for an alleged assault in December 2001 in Los Angeles. Peterson is not afraid to publicly challenge the black establishment, sometimes at considerable risk to his own safety. To be sure, "SCAM" is more than just a stinging indictment against the modern-day civil rights establishment. The book is also a critically compassionate look at what is really plaguing the black community, in particular the plight of the black family, and what can and must be done to reverse the downward spiral in which many black men, women, and children find themselves. Peterson's concluding ten-point plan on how the black community can truly realize its full potential and achieve true spiritual freedom is worth of a full-length book in and of itself.
Rating:
Summary: Truth is hard but must be made available
Review: It is sometimes hard to speak out especially when you realize the truth. Rev. Peterson is a very honest and good man. It is so sad to think people will exploit others and keep them in anger so they can make a comfortable living out of the misery. I realize that readers who vent to the left will say it is all lies but unfortuantely for them the news media is beginning to bring some of the information forward to the public. Those of the right may find the "I told you so" attitude but when we look at this situation it is all to human. I believe Rev. Peterson and men of his calibar are the way forward. Excellent read from a man who wants to make things better.
Rating: 
Summary: Very narrow,not well thought out
Review: It reads as far right as Michael Moore is left. The point about reparations having already been paid. Through civil war deaths is absurd at best. That is akin to robbing a bank, and that a shootout with the police is repayment.
He also states that those to whom repayment would be given cannot be found.
The fact is that, Black people, any opressed people must help themselves for their own sake. This does not however relieve the opressor of any human obligation. Both need to happen.
Also, it's not just slavery that African Americans have suffered, but Jim Crow laws as well. These laws kept them from receiving the fruits of their ancestors labor. This continued in many places till after 1970. These victims of legislated deprivation can be found. The sooner our country owns up to it's history. The sooner we can all move on.
Neither denial by the established classes or anger, frustration, and laziness by the victims of racism will acomplish a solution.
Rating: 
Summary: getr ready for the truth
Review: It's wonderful to see some one who feels as I do, and who is willing to tell it like it is. We as a people need to stop defining our selves as a race and more as individuals who are growing. The only way we can grow as a people is to grow as individuals and then each one can teach one, not how to be black but how to live in harmony with everyone, whether they be black white asian indian or hispanic. We are all americans and we need to to unite as one. Thank you Rev Petterson for your willingness to stand where others dare not in in the cross hairs of the race peddlers, I join you in spirit and I feel confident in calling you brother as I do with any one (regardless of race) who speaks the truth.
Rating: 
Summary: Right idea but wrong focus
Review: Jesse Lee Peterson has a good idea in this book. The idea of BOND as a program to keep another generation of young African-Americans from falling by the wayside is good and valid. Now on to the topic of the rotten "leadership" in Black America. For the most part he's right. But too much time is spent on this and it becomes redundant. For instance, VERY few people take Al Sharpton seriously at all to qualify him as a "leader." Minister Louis Farrakhan's age and health problems pretty much makes him a figure of the past these days, and Maxine Waters is not that well-known outside of Los Angeles. As for the Reparations bit, the poorly attended "Reperations march" that took place in August 2002 revealed that to be the collection of crackpots that this movement actually consists of (even Jesse Jackson himself has admitted in a newspaper column that the 14th Amendment sec. 4 makes this issue a moot point). As for Jackson and the NAACP, much of what he says is valid, although I am aware that they both still do some good from time to time. I also disagree with Rev. Peterson referring to Nelson Mandela as a communist when Mandela himself has admitted in his Rivona trial speech and other writings that while he may have cooperated with such people, he was never a member of the party or a full subscriber to Marx's teachings. Basically, instead of wasting time with antics by "shooting fish in a barrel" in boycotting the NAACP, Jesse Jackson, and the Reparations movement, Rev. Peterson would do well to build up the good that BOND does and he would receive more support for such a worthy cause. PS-The quote from Booker T. Washington about "leaders" who do not wish to see solutions so that they could stay on business was dead on target.
Rating:
Summary: Man is a slave to whatever has mastered him
Review: Jesse Lee Peterson is one of the few Men in our day and age that is qualified to expose corruption in America. As a former "disciple" of the self-appointed black leadership of this country, Jesse Lee had a spiritual awakening akin to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, with the Lord asking the resounding question "Why do you persecute my Church". Following the self-appointed black leadership of this country results in exactly that; persecution of the very people who are purportedly being helped. The following accurately depicts the self-appointed black leadership of America: 2PE 2:17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. Jesse Lee Peterson is a modern-day Moses proclaiming to the self-appointed black leadership of this country "let my people go"!!! It is impossible to over-appreciate this man and the work he is doing for our country, which is detailed in SCAM. And best of all, Jesse Lee never loses sight of the reason for these reforms: that the black community may be more pleasing to God, glorifying him and enjoying His grace forever. God bless you Jesse Lee Peterson, may you never lose strength and courage in your work!!!
Rating:
Summary: Keep up the great work
Review: Jesse Peterson is right on target. His book is one of the greatest truths in a long time. It hits all the right spots, and is very well needed for our age. It is obvious that the black leaders are not leaders but manipulators. They use defenseless blacks to get what they want for themselves. Blacks realize they are between a rock and a hard place, when they think all whites oppose them and know thier black leaders are using them. No wonder black communities have riots, no where to turn. Rev. Peterson simply tells the truth in his book. Jesus is all anyone needs as a leader. Keep it up Rev. Peterson, and God be with you and your organization.
Rating:
Summary: Right Wing Propaganda and Hate
Review: Manufactured "facts" abound and are used to prop up the usual sneering, thinly-veiled racist arguments. This is what the right has come to in America: dirty tricks, lies and hate. So called "black" sources are the usual rich Republicans who are completely out of touch with the black community. If you believe this guy I've got a bridge to sell you.
Rating:
Summary: Race Hustlers
Review: Maybe now the so-called Black leadership will now be known for what they are, race hustlers.
| 
