In Search of Black America: Discovering the African-American Dream

By David J. Dent

Book Overview

Exposing myths and exploding stereotypes, a landmark work of road journalism reveals the diverse and surprising realities of contemporary African-American life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684810727
• ISBN13: 9780684810720
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.5" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A new perspective...

Long overdue, this book presents a rich and layered look at middle-class black Americans. We journey along with Dent through his vividly portrayed encounters and engaging text while discovering truths about our society, about ourselves. Read this book, encourage your friends to do so as well. In it lies the hope of finally starting to clear away the misconceptions and stereotypes, seen and heard far too often. The resiliancy and beauty of these people changes you.

A Neo-Conservative View of David Dent's Splendid Work

Both Liberal and Conservative commentators often prefer to perceive black people as card board abstractions able to easily fit within their own ideological preconceptions. David Dent did not fall into this seductive trap. He writes about real flesh and blood Afro-Americans. Regrettably, Dent's work is needed to aid present day Americans to better understand and resolve the racial issues haunting our nation since its earliest history. One can only hope that in the near future this superb work will become essentially irrelevant and of interest to only academics studying the peculiarities of American life at the dawn of the 21st century.I am a white man who can choose to be indifferent towards his ethnic heritage. It is impossible to tell when I walk down the street whether my ancestors were originally from Russia, England, or Sweden. I am actually of German extraction, and this fact bores me to death. The German language and culture is meaningless to me, and I have absolutely no interest "in getting in touch with my roots." An Afro-American, however, does not have this option. Their blackness is inescapable and perhaps even suffocating. I recall Sidney Poitier's public criticism of journalists who constantly asked him questions pertaining to racial issues. Poitier had to remind these probably well meaning individuals that there were also many other facets of his life that were being ignored.The very concept of a viable middle class black life is an oxymoron to many decent white Americans. Afro-Americans who garner most media attention are the very wealthy artists and athletes, and their opposites residing within the "permanent underclass" areas of our nation's impoverished ghettoes. Blacks either get their pictures on a Wheaties box, or a wanted poster---virtually nothing in between. David Dent has succeeded admirably well in depicting black Americans as varied socially, economically, and educationally as the rest of "main stream" America. I am glad that I read this book.

Distinctive Voice

What struck me about In Search of Black America: Discovering the African American Dream was the author's tone. There is a feeling of treading optimism and genuine concern but not condescension for his subject--the places of black middle class life in the United States. I was reminded of the work of Albert Murray and Anthony Walton's Mississippi in that this book shares a similar impulse to try and understand black middle class life. In Search shows the presence of an author who is questioning but also brings sensitivity without the heavy handedness of a writer focused on elevating or denigrating their subject; one who is genuinely interested in hearing and seeing the people who he writes about.

Great Book!

I recently purchased "In Search of Black America" after seeing David Dent interviewed by Bryant Gumbel on the Early Show a few weeks ago. David Dent makes Charles Kuralt's journeys boring in comparison! I was stunned by how much insight I gained from this extraordinary work. This is a book that is long overdue--a serious exploration into what Mr. Dent says is the "Black Majority" --those African Americans that make up the working and middle class. I was energized by all the stories of ordinary African Americans who are living their lives with dignity and respect all around the country. I especially loved the chapters on Detroit and the N'Namdis who have overcome a life stopping tragedy and managed to succeed beyond their wildest dreams. It is so invigorating to read about people who don't limit themselves by race! Kudos to all! I can't wait until Mr. Dent's next journey!