Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Stupid Black Men: How To Play The Race Card-And Lose

Rate this book
Is life unfair for black Americans? Is racial equality the answer to every question of public policy? Are a huge group of citizens being kept down by “the man”? Radio host and bestselling author Larry Elder has made a career out of being a thorn-in-the-side of the conventional wisdom crowd. He deflates the pompous and points out the completely logical truths hidden behind the nutty rhetoric and out-of-control pandering of many of the politicians and so-called leaders of a variety of special interest groups. In Stupid Black Men , he takes on the mind-set that always captures the most media attention—as well as masses of public money—in this those who rail against racism as the root of all problems, and who end up hurting precisely those they claim to be helping. Whether they are demagogues like Al Sharpton, established politicians like Hillary Clinton, or entertainers like Danny Glover, no one escapes Elder’s cogent arguments and rapier wit. His sometimes hilarious and always infuriating examples of wrong-headedness skewer not just politicians for their smugness and hypocrisy, but also actors, educators, religious leaders and the “mainscream media” for keeping the story in the headlines. But Elder has a positive message, though they are fewer—and generally not as loud-mouthed—there are leaders and role models today who want to sweep away race-based whining and urge everyone in America, to share in the hard work, smart thinking and optimism that make this country great.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

25 people are currently reading
289 people want to read

About the author

Larry Elder

22 books130 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
83 (34%)
4 stars
81 (33%)
3 stars
46 (19%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
1 star
21 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews
9 reviews
April 4, 2009
Mr. Elder does a decent job at confronting the slave mentality that has plagued black america for decades. However, if you have already read "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America" then much of this will already be familiar. As a person of color, I find it quite insulting when told that no matter how hard I work, the omnipresent "man" is only going to let me go so far. Or that if I am not hired by a company it's because I am black, and not because they just didn't want to hire me. Elder brings up valid arguments against statements like this, however, this information falls on deaf ears or is met with much resistance today. Much like telling an addict they have an addiction.
What's even sadder is there are people who capitalize on maintaining a helpless culture. Racism that's covert. The glass ceiling. Encouraging government dependence. Blaming the government for our poor choices (like selling and smoking crack). I could go on but he lists so much more.
I've read some of the messages that Mr. Elder recieves (probably daily) on his website calling him an "Uncle Tom" and worse derogatory terms because he is "pandering to the White folk." This just reinforces my belief that he has written something that is thought provoking and, more than likely, true, even in my own life. I personally have had moments of victim thinking, fortunately, my father (who grew up poorer than many who are poor think they are. think "carboard to replace the soles of his shoes poor") did not allow me to continue that thinking. He always told me that nobody would hand me anything and that I would have to work for it. Elder recieved the same messages from his father. This is a must read for liberals and conservatives, victicrats and non-victicrats, and anyone who recognizes the victim mentality's permeation into our entire society.
Profile Image for Ebony.
Author 8 books207 followers
August 29, 2008
Um, Elder hasn't convinced me that the black community just needs more personal responsibility. Institutional racism and white supremacy are still pretty strong arguments for me coupled with histories of oppression and invalidating representations. Maybe Elder should have take more responsibility for writing a credible book. The format was real suspect--web sources, pull out quotes, not very bookish or smart...
Profile Image for Timothy Dave.
8 reviews
April 22, 2008
As a political independent, I found this to be a very interesting read. Mr. Elder speaks out against the so-called "black leadership" and exposes them and their double standards. He no doubt will be called an "Uncle Tom" for his stance, but I applaud him for standing up to the bully pulpits of Al & Jesse. He offers commentary on Mr. Obama's present campaign and gives interesting insight into both Democratic candidates. You may not agree with Mr. Elder's point of view, but his message of personal responsibility in the African-American community should be heeded!!
Profile Image for Trevin.
44 reviews3 followers
July 24, 2011
Makes you look and many social issues affecting African-American men from a totally different perspective. It was a really good read.
Profile Image for Ted Heitz.
67 reviews5 followers
December 21, 2010
Elder and Sowell will save this country, if those that don't get it yet will open their eyes and ears! Phenomenal.
933 reviews42 followers
October 18, 2014
I didn't expect much because in my experience radio personalities tend to write books that are high on emotion and gravely lacking in footnotes. Elder's book has footnotes, yay! It also has the primary strength of most "radio host books": readability. And, alas, the primary weakness; if you're familiar with the author, you've probably heard it all before.

I've never actually listened to Larry Elder (I don't find radio or TV efficient methods of collecting info -- plus I can't cope with the emotionality of those respective news sources), but I'd read a couple of articles by the guy so I knew what I was getting into. There were a few too many "Larry Elder: Hero in His Own Mind" kind of stories for my taste, but whatever. On the whole I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Lisa.
794 reviews20 followers
March 24, 2008
Conservative radio talk-show host Larry Elder rails against the mind-set that keeps men like Al Sharpton, actor Danny Glover, and sports figures who shout about racism and unfairness in the public eye. Instead, he rejects being a victim and points to Bill Cosby, Barack Obama, and Tiger Woods as role models.
This book is easy to read and presents many things I had read or heard before. Elder also points out many facts and ideas I had never considered. I've seen Elder on news talk shows and thought he presented his arguements well. I've never heard his radio show, but I bet it is interesting and filled with controversy.
Profile Image for Eboney.
12 reviews
April 1, 2009
This book is a great read. Larry Elder clearly gives many examples of the many ways that people use race as an excuse for not achieving goals. When if fact the main problem with the Black community is inactivity and self sabotage.
Profile Image for Emily.
17 reviews
November 8, 2017
The TITLE IS AWFUL. The book is good. It is about politician Larry Elder's family history and the world's views about rights in America among it. Good Read. Informative. If you like politics and want to grow your shelf and knowledge. It is from a conservative standpoint.
Profile Image for Chad.
289 reviews
October 5, 2023
This book written in 2008 is still remarkably relevant today. Love him or hate him, if you give him a read there is a very high probability you’ll learn something you didn’t know and most likely it will be backed up with a study he quotes. Larry is more about data than feelings, which can be refreshing in 2023.
10.6k reviews34 followers
June 15, 2024
ELDER FOCUSES ON RACE/ETHNIC ISSUES

Laurence [‘Larry’] Allen Elder (born 1952) is an American author and radio program host. He wrote in the Preface to this 2008 book, “Bad schools, crime, drugs, high taxes, the Social Security mess, the health care ‘crisis,’ unemployment, welfare state dependency, illegitimacy---and race and racism. What do these issues have in common? So-called black leaders---aided and abetted by the mainstream media, and cheered on by the Democratic Party---lie to us about them. They lie about the cause. They lie about the effect. The lie about the solutions. They make the most outrageous statements---and get away with it. Why? Many people refuse to challenge these outrageous statements for fear that they will be branded as racist. Others say nothing because keeping blacks angry and unduly concerned about racism advances the political agenda of the Democratic Party. In reality, the formula for success is simple: work hard, make sacrifices, focus on education, delay gratification, avoid bad moral mistakes, and maintain optimism.” (Pg. xii)

He continues, “[This book] calls for an end to BMW---Bitching, Moaning, and Whining. These so-called black leaders, mainstream media conspirators, and sympathizers in the Democratic Party send a simple, harmful message: standards of hard work and accountability do not apply to blacks. This hurts the very people they supposedly support… the racist, hard hearts and minds of an overwhelming majority of Americans is a long-gone thing of the past. While all societies have to endure a few wacko racists here and there, they don’t wield power and they face great forces aligned to call them out and crush them.” (Pg. xiii-xiv)

He observes, “Racism provides a convenient way of avoiding serious examples of issues. Crying racism takes less effort than, for example, examining the data that show why black loan applications get turned down at a greater rate. Crying racism takes less effort than exploring why black children underperform compared to their white and Asian counterparts. Crying racism avoids the awful, horrible truth that maybe, just maybe, the ‘victim’s’ action or inaction accounts for disparate outcomes.” (Pg. 26-27)

He states, “Powerful evidence indicates that restrictive gun laws do nothing to deter bad guys, while making if more and more difficult for good people to defend themselves. Criminals don’t walk into gun stores, politely fill out registration forms, and then use those very same guns in crime. Bus so-called black leaders shower wrath on Republicans who resist further gun control laws.” (Pg. 63)

He says, “Older blacks consider respect something one earned. They enforced verbal and physical abuse virtually incomparable to any indignity suffered by today’s generation of blacks. When I talk to older black men and women, many feel saddened by the wise-open opportunities that today’s youth often fail to seize.” (Pg. 78)

He asks, “How does one explain the ink former presidential candidate Reverend Al Sharpton gets? He’s a shallow, unreasonable, race-card-playing victicrat---a caricature, a clown, an embarrassment. When the Teflon Reverend Al Sharpton ran for president in 2004, virtually no one in the mainstream media raised the issue of his false accusation of Tawana Brawley… [who] claimed that white men abducted her, scrawled racist slogans on her body, covered her in feces, and sexually assaulted her. A grand jury later called the entire incident a complete hoax… But not before Sharpton ... actually named an individual---former assistant district attorney Steven Pagones---as one of the culprits!... Sharpton literally begged Pagones to sue him for defamation… Pagones obliged… A multiethnic jury unanimously convicted Sharpton and two codefendants of defaming Steven Pagone, and ordered Sharpton to pay the plaintiff $65,000. The reverend promptly announced his intention not to pay… Pagones finally received Sharpton’s portion, but only because Sharpton’s rich friends… passed the hat… To this day, Sharpton refuses to apologize.” (Pg. 87)

He comments, “[Hurricane] Katrina was not about race. While people believe that New Orleans, a predominantly black city, endured most of Kartina’s fury… the devastation included neighboring parishes and Mississippi counties, which were overwhelmingly white… Inarguably, most of Katrina’s victim were white, not black.” (Pg. 125-126)

He points out, “According to [a] study, 86 percent of Angelinos support the police. Whites support the police at 89 percent. And blacks? They support the police at 92 percent. The reason is not so complicated. In the inner city, blacks get targeted for crime at twice the rate as do whites. Thus, people living in the inner city need cops more than do people living in the suburbs.” (Pg. 165)

He asks, “Is the lack of American-born black baseball players REALLY a problem? If the number of blacks who want to play baseball declines, should we call out the National Guard? The important question is whether discrimination bars blacks from playing baseball. It doesn’t. Players of color… now comprise about 40 percent of the roster… If lack of facilities and opportunities prevents inner-city blacks from playing baseball, how does one explain the large number of players coming from dirt-poor places in the Caribbean?” (Pg. 193-194)

He says, “Did the emphasis [in schools] on Latino or African-American self-esteem help? Studies show that black kids actually score at least as high if not higher on self-esteem tests as do whites. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found… a full six points above the average white kids’ percentile. Ultimately improved self-esteem comes from achievement, not the other way around. Sooner or later, upwardly mobile students enter a competitive world where results are dictated by hard work and talent, and not by a ‘you owe me’ sense of entitlement. But so-called black leaders don’t understand the simple truth that what a person earns… is always more valued than what is given to a person.” (Pg. 205-206)

He argues, “When blacks fail to match the aptitude test scores of whites, some attribute this to ‘cultural bias.’ Of college-bound seniors in 2006, whites averaged a score of 527 on the critical reading portion of the SAT. Blacks averaged 434. For the writing section, whites averaged 519, blacks 428. For mathematics, whites averaged 536, and blacks averaged 429. Some educators attribute this to cultural bias. Cultural bis? What’s biased about two plus two equaling four?” (Pg. 219)

He concludes, “No one doubts the existence of racial discrimination. Utopia doesn’t exist. But the persistent emphasis on the alleged ‘pervasive racism in America’ turns minor incidents and inconveniences---that can be explained in a number of ways---into ‘acts of discrimination.’ Whom does this help? It helps the Democratic Party to retain their monolithic black vote. It helps the race exploiters like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to retain their power base. And it helps America’s enemies, like al Qaeda and other Islamofascists, to exploit black anger for their own self-serving means. It’s time to stop the madness.” (Pg. 266)

This controversial book will be of great interest to Libertarians and many conservatives who are interested in ethnic issues.
Profile Image for Matthew.
Author 6 books57 followers
October 3, 2010
Larry Elder offers a voice of reason in a time where personal accountability and responsibility overall seem to be replaced by a finger-pointing mentality that is often accompanied by the playing of the all-mighty race card. Mr. Elder offers a panoply of evidence and anecdotes that serves to elucidate the fact that racism itself might not be the problem but rather the pursuit of acclaim by self-indulgent egoists posing as so-called "Black Leaders" and the fanning of the flames of indoctrinated hate against whites and other groups that are perceived to withhold the forward progress of minorities and non-white races.

My only gripe with the book is that it is repetitive at points, mulling over the same points and perspectives without adding anything new. Oftentimes, these points are not accompanied by any solutions; it is as if Mr. Elder wishes merely to prove that these instances exist rather than offering suggestions on how to fix them.

Overall, I'm left wishing that more people viewed race as Mr. Elder does. I'm sure that are many who do and, hopefully, over time, we will outnumber those who wish to hide behind the "victicrat" label, as Mr. Elder is wont to use.
Profile Image for KelliAnn Christensen.
15 reviews3 followers
April 8, 2008
Well, this is not actually the title of this book, but it matched the ISBN number on the back. The actual title (which is far more fitting) is Stupid Black Men: How to Play the Race Card--And Lose. I really enjoyed this book, even though of course I got very upset at the absurdity of some things that happen. It was easy to read and since is written by a radio talk show host, it contained some fitting sarcasm and although full of facts wasn't necessarily "scholarly." (The reason why I didn't give it five stars is that I think some of the organization and examples could have been tighter.) I completely agree with the points Mr. Elder makes. Not only does constantly crying race serve to keep some people in powerful positions and bring in votes for the Democratic party, but it presents anyone from actually examining the real issues. As Mr. Elder says, "In reality, the formula for success is simple: work hard, make sacrifices, focus on education, delay gratification, avoid bad moral mistakes, and maintain optimism." Enough said.
12 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2008
I just happened to walk by the cover in barnes and noble and I wanted to see what the book was about and very quickly, I couldn't put it down.
The author discusses his view that the policies and politics in the liberal, democratic media aren't doing a thing to improve the lives of black people. The author states, quite convincingly, that these policies and also black media encouraging black people to consider themselves victims are whats behind the problems in black America today.

This is a very interesting book which is made more interesting by the stories the author weaves into the book. I normally wouldn't read a book with a strong conservative approach but I greatly enjoyed this book and the solid reasoning it gives for its ideas.
Profile Image for Chris d'Aquin.
26 reviews7 followers
February 6, 2015
I almost gave up reading this book because after the first quarter of the book I had the feeling that he kept repeating himself with some of the same mantras. But I was glad I didn't. The later chapters focus on some specific situations (like Hurricane Katrina), which offered some fascinating details and insight.

Overall, this was a very interesting book. Elder lays out his arguments as to why the Democratic Party has to rely on the platforms of racial inequality, racism, and providing for the needy. He feels that without these platforms, the Democratic Party would die. He does a convincing job.
73 reviews
August 17, 2008
Saw this on the shelf during black history month and had to read it. Interesting. It looks at racism and also pressed the point that much of it is perceived. Stop whining and do something about it. The author seemed informed and had obviously overcome the discrimination that is of course present in our society but is able to be overcome with hard work and responsibility. I enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Melissa.
71 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2009
This book confirmed what I've always kind of suspected but felt guilty for suspecting it. Or...at least it confirmed that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Read it and it will open your eyes just a little bit.

Sadly, the beginning is the most enlightening and then the rest of the book just kind of pounds the idea home over and over again. Still...it kept my interest until the end.
Profile Image for Frank Inserra.
61 reviews2 followers
December 6, 2014
The author has a fresh view of "post-racial" America, and a challenging one. I found myself agreeing with his general thesis while picking apart the details of some of his arguments and illustrations. Overall, it was a good and worthwhile read.
25 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2008
This book was pretty interesting at first but seemed to repeat itself after awhile.
20 reviews
April 3, 2008
I LOVED THIS BOOK, it was amazing. It helped reshape my perspective on obama and other politcal figures I thought were squeaky clean.
12 reviews
April 21, 2008
This was a really interesting read. I liked it. I've
seen alot of him on tv and I liked what I saw.
Every person of every color should read this.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,341 reviews19 followers
May 2, 2008
This is a very thoughtful, intense book that I enjoyed reading. It makes a lot of sense and I would like to know Mr. Elder.
19 reviews
June 3, 2008
Thought provoking. He's off base on a few things, but I found myself agreeing with him on several issues. I would be interested in having a conversation with him.
Profile Image for Zach.
20 reviews32 followers
November 29, 2008
Sometimes the truth hurts. Elder's honesty, while brutal, is valid.
35 reviews
July 30, 2010
I learned a lot by reading this book.
Profile Image for Cindy.
135 reviews
May 30, 2011
Great book! Larry Elder has it exactly right!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 46 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.