Debating Race: with Michael Eric Dyson

by Michael Eric Dyson

Whether chronicling the class conflict in the African-American community or exposing the failings of the government response in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Michael Eric Dyson has never shied away from controversy. No stranger to intellectual combat, Dyson has always been ready to engage friends and foes alike in open conversation about the issues that matter. Debating Race collects many of Dyson’s most memorable encounters and most poignant arguments. Dyson shows that he is as eloquent off the cuff as he is on the book page, and Debating Race gives readers a front row seat as he spars with politicians, pundits, and public intellectuals. From John Kerry and John McCain to Ann Coulter and the hosts of television’s “The View”-Dyson shows the mental agility and rhetorical tenacity that have made him one of America’s most astute intellectuals, and with topics ranging from civil rights, the legacy of the O.J. Simpson trial, and the authenticity of Colin Powell there is something in Debating Race to touch a nerve in all of us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Politics, Sociology, African American, Social Justice, Essays

432 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2007

About the author

Michael Eric Dyson is an American academic, author, and radio host. He is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great debates, pertinent topics that are still important today, however, I'm in the mood for fiction right now. The truth hurts so bad I just want to escape. Dyson and his colleagues really get down to the nitty-gritty about race in a very detailed and rational manner. Even when they don't agree, the debate is worthwhile to read because there are many sides presented so eloquently. But, I couldn't read it all because I have the misfortune and blessing of living the life of a black women in America everyday. Frankly, I'm tired of debating, trying to get people to understand the severity of situations presented in this book. Hopefully, I'll be able to pick this book again with the hopes of completing it. And it won't matter when I decide because the material in this book will continue to be relevant today or twenty years from now! Sad, but true.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Michael Eric Dyson is just terrific. This is a well compiled set of debates with some great intellectuals (Cornel West) and leading pundits from both sides of the aisle (David Horowitz, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Dennis Miller, Bill Maher) and many more intelligent people that I was less familiar with.

Dyson and those he debates get very heated and make great points that really highlight all sides of the argument. I think some of the moderators weren't that good *cough Ted Koppel cough* but in general I think all of the debates were also in well structured forums.

I may not agree with Dyson about everything but in general I believe he thinks through the social complexities of race in a very sophisticated way and speaks very well about simultaneous, seemingly contradictory, truths regarding race.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand issues of race in America deeper and why it's not always a black or white issue.

[Craig Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book again, so I can have some fresh ideas on this classic work. I really love teaching, and I realy love practicing law. I am writing that because I just had an interaction with someone which gives me faith in the principles outlined in this text, which is essentially the idea of bridging racial gaps, and working on understanding what each person in life is going through.

With respect to a review of the Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Many academicians criticize Dr. Dyson because he is known as a "public intellectual", and many of his books do not contain a wealth of footnotes and endnotes as most scholarly texts contain. However, Dr. Dyson's ideas and scholarly observations are solid. From the perspective of how this book is arranged, I love the dialogue, question, and forum format of this text. I feel as though I am reading the transcript of an interesting NPR interview or C-Span book presentation with many participants, including but not limited to, tavis Smiley, Mara Tapp, Gary Orfield, Ward Connerly, Arturo Vargas, Peggy McIntosh, Anna Meigs, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, Maria Hinojosa, Henry Cisneros, Macarena Hernandez, D. A. King, Rchard Langlois, Lee Teran, Juan Williams, Senator John McCain, Senator John Kerry, and several other scholars and prominent thinkers in American politics. I highly recomend this text, and I believe that it deserves a greater discussion and deconstruction. I would enjoy any additions to my comments. Thanks.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can get past the format of the book (essentially transcripts from a number of conversations/debates/broadcasts Dyson has participated in), it's an incredibly expansive, important book on race. Dyson touches on everything from affirmative action, immigration and white privilege to Katrina, Martin Luther King Jr, Bill Cosby and Dave Chappelle. If you've never read Dyson before this serves as both an introduction and retrospective - a definite must-read. Five stars!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book that covered alot of different topics. It's a very interesting perspective on how to speak publicly with both allies as well as folks that you don't see eye-to-eye with. It's also a very good introduction to Dyson's style and content. I plan on reading alot more of his in the future.

[Brian Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debating Race is Dyson at his best, in an arena showcasing the free exchange of ideas with a broad spectrum of thinkers on the matter of race. The implementation of the Socratic method is where his ferocity truly shines, making the book engaging, interesting, while evoking a plethora of emotions in turn. This should be mandatory reading for any sociology major and certainly for anyone who is curious about 'race' and everything in between. Dyson is easily one of Noth Anerica's most valuable intellectual treasures and someone you should get to know. This book will let you do this (and make you a better person as a result). Hell, even the right wing's she-devil, Ann Coulter is cited on the book's jacket, praising it as a 'delight to read'.. 'Nuff said.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great in that it's a series of debates that Dyson has held over his many years of scholarly research. He's smart and quite witty, and it makes for an enjoyable read. The best part is that the debates are held with other brilliant sociologists, etc, so you also get to hear from people like Jesse Jackson, Shelby Steele, John McCain and others on all sides of the race issue. It's a great wat to take the temperature of race relations over the last 10 years or so in the US.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of different perspectives in this book on race and class. I like that is a collection of townhall meetings and debate forums that open up honest dialogue on race. Dyson is eloquent, charismatic, and never short on words. He sometimes can overpower his fellow debaters by how much he talks and his extensive vocabulary. Overall a very good read, this will open up your eyes to other perspectives.

[zaki]

This. Is. The MAN. I opened up to a random chapter and found myself laughing off my seat as Dyson tore apart John McCain in a senate hearing on the evils of hip-hop. An essential read for anyone interested in racial injustices and institutionalized inequality. The man is smart, bold, unique, and hilarious.

[Löki Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a difficult time reading rambling writing - not that the content is bad - it is the grammar that gets me. This book had great content that made me think, but I could not get passed the run-on sentences and the horrible punctuation (all from transcribed conversations).

[Leighann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading articles here and there between books...so far, so good. I love this man.

[Aziza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Tram Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wrote a review about this book ...it's okay. A compilation of interviews and talks by Dyson on race in public discourse. Good for flipping around, especially for practicing pundits.

[Jeffrey]

Collected interviews. I'll pick and choose.

[Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. You'll enjoy it. Be ready for the BIG words.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly enjoyed his conversation with Cornel West.

[Darrell Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this book. Many might not agree with his progression but i think it will add to the discussion

[Elisheva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and provocative. Slightly inaccurate, definitely biased, but worth reading.

[Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

[brown_bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dyson's on par with the likes of Cornel West in his critical analysis. A valuable read for eluciding the mind on several critical issues about race...

[Jeff Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read, tackled a lot of issues facing Poverty and Crime. A little too long but overall a good read.

[Renay Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Need to read it again to give an adequate review though.

[Pavel Konoplenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight, beautiful and articulate.