Rating: 
Summary: There are better ways to expend all of this energy
Review: I read the book and was underwhelmed. While the author does shed light on an interesting segment of African-America, my opinion is that he does not maintain enough professional detachment from his subject matter - subject matter that is "lightweight" to begin with.Regarding all of the sound and fury posted here, I am somewhat embarassed to see so many of my people engaging in commentary that is so publicly mean-spitited. Tip: for a book that is truly thought provoking, try "Black Genius: African-American solutions to African-American Problems." (also available on Amazon.com). It is a book filled with insightful and thought-provoking commentary from some extremely bright and well-respected members of our community. Unfortunately, only one person has reviewed it online. Thats a shame - it is far more worthy of our time and energy.
Rating:
Summary: What About Zero Stars?
Review: For the reader from Hampton Roads who insists that this book is "a must read for any American," let me tell you: only klansman David Duke would be interested in this book, and then, he'd only use it as an example of black self-hatred and stupidity. You people actully think someone is jealous of you. When I read this book was EMBARRASSED for you people. The author needs to go to therapy (the best that money can buy, of course). I should mention that I am one of those unblessed black folk who was raised in a housing project as my mother was on welfare. But these humble beginnings never hurt my chances to hit the big time: the black upperclass. You see, I have the right skin color and the right hair, and I can speak Standard English. I've had more than my share of men from Hampton Roads, USA, asking me to marry them, salivating over my good hair, etc. Those men were so sweet (those they were terrible lovers) that they were willing to overlook my poor background. Of course, I married an ordinary middle-class television engineer. We live in a mixed middle-class neighborhood. (Don't tell anyone, but we've never been to Sag Harbor!) And though we don't have enough "net worth" to be blessed, for some strange reason, we are happy. And yet, I can't help but think that all my good hair has gone to waste. I coulda been a contender! Lord have mercy.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding Book. A must own for any American
Review: I am in the book. I know people throughout the book. It is accurate. The objections to this book have to do with the unfortunate fact that there are very few members of the black upper class. I say this is unfortunate. I once heard someone say that the most honest people in the world in terms of behavior and actions are the very rich and the very poor. It is the middle class who try so much to conform. Its all about net worth. If you've got it you've got it. Most blacks that have really been blessed do happen to be well educated, well travelled, well heeled members of the Boule' and the Episcopal Church. It is fact. Peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Old issue; Renewed anger
Review: For those who think criticisms expressed are secondary to jealousy by darker blacks toward the lighter-skinned blacks, that's not it. It is the pompous attitude that many light-skinned "sisters" were taught at any early age,at home and in "the club". As mentioned in this book, this attitude was passed down through generations and still continues today. Many of you walk around as if you are the queen bees and unfortunately, too many of our "brothers" have fallen into that mess. This book only re-exposes that fact (and the self-aggrandizing author is part of the problem). I will say that, at least, THIS Mr. LOG's wife (apparently) has some brains, although, given his mindset, he obviously picked her for her skin color. Too many times the other LOGs end up with "light-bright, almost white" useless airheads who don't even know how to write out a check.Yet, the brothers cater to these women's every whim (as many will do with white women. That is, pick a stupid white woman over an intelligent Black woman, just because...). Many times, our brothers will leave their first wife, who may have been darker, more intelligent,more accomplished, more grounded, etc., and then, when they make it into that corporate world, pick a woman who has nothing to contribute to him but her light face, which HE may consider a plus. So, my light-skinned sister from Columbia, MD who made a comment a few statements back, just remember who excluded whom first. We darker-skinned folk didn't ban you from being with us. You did it to us and are, seemingly,proud of it.This will only change when people like you teach your kids that we all are created equal. (Sad. Isn't that what we have to tell white people... still?). And brothers, wake up and learn to appreciate the intelligent, beautiful hues of real black women who can offer you something more than useless cotton candy for a brain. Lastly, so where is the open forum going to be to bring the masses together to discuss this book, Atlanta? DC? [Montana? :))] It's obvious we all need to peaceably talk...but will it change anything?
Rating:
Summary: It's A Shame
Review: You can't blame people for how they were raised but you can hold them accountable for their actions. Granted Mr. Graham thinks this is an important part of American History, but should we be proud of a group of people who bought in to and sold out to the dogma that whiter is better. How could the same group of people that judged based on skin color hipocritcally claim African heritage? The body is just a physical dress for the spirit and what ugly spirits these people have.
Rating:
Summary: read it or don't read it, it's not that big of a deal!
Review: interesting that one little book could cause this much commotion. i must say though, that everyone seems a bit uptight about the subject matter. some of us have been unfairly accused (by some of YOU) of being snobs just because of our background or education. there seems to be alot of jealously out there and considering all of the other problems that we as African-Americans have to face, the last thing we need is to start hating each other for no reason. everyone should just relax and be happy with yourselves instead of letting one book about a subject that is really a non-issue create so many bad feelings and hatred. i know that i'm not going to get upset over the authors insecurities because, quite frankly, it doesn't concern me, or any of you for that matter!
Rating: 
Summary: Rethinking first impressions
Review: I read this book right before the holiday season, and in the time since I have re-read it two times. My initial impression, as I indicated in a review I wrote for this site at that time, was overwhelmingly positive. I felt that I really missed out because I hadn't been very involved with the organizations my family members are part of. And I was proud that my family contributed to the building of the middle class for blacks in this country. I didn't think that the author was saying he was better than anyone else, just that he was brought up a certain way, this is what it was like, these are the names he's heard. Now, after reading the vicious, personal attacks from other readers, I truly understand one reason why we have such a division among our community. As someone who has for her entire life been told that I "talk white" "act white", "think I'm cute, smart, etc.",the comments brought me back to a bad place. While some readers may think that these people in the book, and Mr. Graham, are snobs, you have no idea what it is like to be attacked because you are considered "not black enough". Who decides what is "black enough"? I identify, STRONGLY, with my heritage, and still I meet some blacks who think that I have issues because I don't speak ebonics and don't come from the hood. I am a nice person who is proud of her family and their accomplishments and there is nothing wrong with that. The harshest critics on this site make me feel like I should be ashamed of my family. This book is not meant to be the gospel on how black America should run, it is a sentimental memoir about an era past that some of us feel lucky to have been able to be a part of. Finally, Mr. Graham's wife has done nothing to any of you to deserve the attacks on her skin color or education. It is just as wrong and harmful to discriminate against someone because they are very light skinned, as it is someone who is very dark.
Rating: 
Summary: DISTURBING PORTRAIT OF BLACK AMERICA!
Review: I am a black college student at an Ivy League School. Currently, there is a book by Joseph Green called Pseudo Cool that is being passed around in our dorm. It's about how hard it is for Black students at predominately white educational institutions. But after recently reading Graham's book, I think that maybe African Americans need to look more at how we treat one another. This book is good though because it brings something to the light that needs to be looked at 'cause it forces us to look at ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: Gimme a break!
Review: Reading this book was a very strange experience -- I'm glad that I borrowed it from the library and didn't buy it, because it would be money down the rathole. I could write a book about this book!! I was amazed by some of the contradictions in it -- for example, while the members of this "upper class" disdain those who "marry white", the men in this group, consciously or unconciously, seek out the lightest-skinned women they can find! I guess this form of "selective breeding" will ensure children with "good hair" who are light enough to pass the "paper bag test." Also, Graham talks incessantly about the "power" and "privilege" of this group, but despite their superficial trappings of success, (designer clothes, fancy cars, etc.) where are the Fortune 500 companies these people own? What real influence to they have on public policy? Does anybody really care what they think anymore? Alice Walker, Diana Ross, and other famous African Americans "excluded" by this group have more talent, ability, and character than all of them put together and multiplied by ten. Their amazing snobbery is pathetic in the wake of the racial situation in this country, such as the rise of hate groups, killing of James Byrd, etc. Despite your nose job, fancy degree, and light-bright wife you're STILL a pathetic wanabee. without a clue.
Rating:
Summary: PRESUMPTIOUS POPPYCOCK
Review: THE AUTHORS' AUTHORITIES ARE PEDDLING THIER OWN SELF IMPORTANCE. NOT ALL THE BLACK UPPER MIDDLE CLASS FELT THE NEED OR THE PREFERENCE TO JOIN FRATERNITIES OR SOCIAL CLUBS.iT IS SAD THAT FAMOUS OR SUCCESSFUL NAME DROPPING IS A MEASURE OF THE SUCCESS OF ANY SOCIAL ORGANISATION. THERE ARE MANY WAYS THE BLACK UPPER CLASS HELPS THE COMMUNITY WHICH DOESN'T ENTAIL FUND RAISERS AND BALLS.
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