| The Covenant with Black America is the brainchild of | | | | thought processes of those so confined. The |
| Tavis Smiley. For the past seven years, the talk show | | | | symptomatic results are evidenced in school dropout |
| host has had his own "State of the Black Union" | | | | rates, drugs and gang violence. So dysfunctional has |
| symposium. Seeing that simply exchanging opinions | | | | this public policy been, that some cities have started to |
| with the nation's top black leaders was not sufficient, | | | | tear down their projects. Throwing more money at the |
| he decided to chart a course for the African American | | | | problem, for them, is not the solution.In this same vein, |
| Community. To provide a structured blueprint, The | | | | the tile "covenant," is perhaps a misnomer for this book. |
| Covenant with Black America have assembled a | | | | A covenant is a pact. And a pact, as such, requires |
| scholarly collection of 10 short essays by esteemed | | | | that both parties perform a specific set of criteria. |
| experts in various disciplines to address the | | | | Although there is a "What every Individual Can Do" |
| devastating social, political and economic disparities | | | | section of each chapter, there is not a clear sense of |
| facing many African Americans.Each chapter or | | | | endorsement as to a national plan of action by |
| "covenant" looks at one pivotal issue and supplies the | | | | individuals in addressing these problems. As there are |
| reader with a list of resources and suggested plans of | | | | 10 different introductory essays, each written by |
| action that individuals and governments can do to | | | | different individuals, it is difficult to get a comprehensive |
| make a difference in their communities. This | | | | picture of what is promised by whom and when, with |
| high-octane approach, as the book indicates on its | | | | no real teeth of accountability as might be expected in |
| back cover, is "to shift the conversation from talking | | | | an actual covenant. Equally disappointing, the book |
| about our pain to talking about our plan" for the African | | | | does not really explore core self-responsibility issues, |
| American community.As might be expected, any | | | | such as the need to look at the spiritual, mental and |
| best-selling book that tackles such a profound and | | | | emotional health of the individual as a way of making |
| often neglected need in our society is likely to | | | | true progress.Also, what would be refreshing would be |
| generate some controversy. The proposed formulas | | | | to have each essay focus on setting definitive goals |
| for addressing a host of ills, from the skewed criminal | | | | over a specific time period. Such as by 2015, 60 |
| justice system to substandard education to toxic | | | | percent of black males will be in college; or that 80 |
| waste in poor neighborhoods, to name a few, is not | | | | percent of toxic waste in poor neighborhoods will be |
| without it's critics. For others The Covenant with Black | | | | cleaned up. Without specific goals, many of the |
| America did not meet some expectations and go far | | | | suggestions, while well intentioned, seem ineffectual.Still, |
| enough.Despite the diversity of contributors of the | | | | the real virtue of this book lies in putting these critical |
| various covenants, the book has a rather monotone | | | | issues before all Americans. Whether you agree with |
| character throughout. This is probably due to the | | | | the diagnosis and prescriptions of the essays in The |
| consistent format that each essay follows as dictated | | | | Covenant with Black America is not the issue. The |
| by the book. Each chapter starts out with an | | | | issue is to increase awareness, dialogue and debate in |
| introductory essay identifying the issues at hand. Then | | | | how best to address the needs of those most |
| there is a treatise of the subject, complete with a table | | | | disenfranchised in our nation.At 254 pages, this |
| of statistics, followed by shared solutions under the | | | | provocative book is well worth the modest retail price |
| headings of "What the Community Can Do", "What | | | | of only $12.00. Given the many social challenges we as |
| Every Individual Can Do", "What Works Now", and | | | | a nation face, it is a small price to pay to be a party to |
| "What Every Leader and Elected Official Can Do." | | | | the trends of a bestseller. All profits from this book are |
| However, the general theme, despite the shared | | | | dedicated to Third World Press.John Woolf is the |
| solution topics, seems to be almost always weighted | | | | founder of several successful Internet technology |
| towards heavy governmental intervention. In short, a | | | | companies including the Book Price Comparison |
| "fix it with finance" solution to the problems. Critics of | | | | website As a pragmatist of the world around him, he is |
| this book, both black and white, point out that the | | | | both a critic and crusader on international politics and |
| Government does not solve problems, it funds them.It | | | | energy policy as it relates to our security and our |
| could be pointed out, for example, that the past | | | | impact on the global environment.Visit to read reviews, |
| governmental housing projects have in fact created a | | | | find similar titles, and search for the lowest possible |
| type of apartheid for much of the African American | | | | price for The Covenant with Black America and other |
| community, thus isolating and amplifying the negative | | | | great books. |