To understand what Graham is talking about, the reader must contemplate the meaning of the first two sentences of Chapter 1: “Bryant Gumble is, but Bill Cosby isn’t. Lena Horne is, but Whitney Houston isn’t.”
As only Graham can, the reader is shown this community in all of its grit and glory. To be sure, Grahams’ presentation is nuanced. The complexity of being black is explored beyond mere economics and other traditional modes of socio-psychological analysis. Graham interjection of his experience, as a member of the group about which he write, is informative.
Even for the student of history, this book will present a few surprises. Graham chronicles the experiences and activities of the Black elite in some of America’s largest cities including, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Memphis, Detroit, and Atlanta. About Detroit, for example, Graham delves deep into the politics of pre and post1967 riots. The reader is given a unique glimpse into the city that was, and could be.
All-in-all, Our Kind of People is a great read. It is informative, thoughtfully written, and will not disappoint.
- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial (December 22, 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0060984384
- ISBN-13: 978-0060984380
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