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Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal
In the wake of his controversial national best-seller, The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word, Randall Kennedy grapples brilliantly and judiciously with another stigma of our racial "selling out," or racial betrayal, which is a subject of much anxiety and acrimony in Black America. He atomizes the vicissitudes of the term and shows how its usage bedevils blacks and whites, while elucidating the effects it has on individuals and on our society as a whole.
Kennedy begins his exploration of selling out with a cogent, historical definition of the "black" community, accounting precisely for who is considered black and who is not. He looks at the ways in which prominent members of that community--Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Barack Obama, among others--have been stigmatized as sellouts. He outlines the history of the suspicion of racial betrayal among blacks, and he shows how current fears of selling out are expressed in thought and practice. He offers a rigorous and bracing case study of the quintessential "sellout"--Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, perhaps the most vilified black public official in American history. And he gives is a first-person reckoning of how he himself has dealt with accusations of having sold out at Harvard, especially after the publication of Nigger.
Lucidly and powerfully articulated, Sellout is essential to any discussion of the troubled history of race in America.
Kennedy begins his exploration of selling out with a cogent, historical definition of the "black" community, accounting precisely for who is considered black and who is not. He looks at the ways in which prominent members of that community--Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Barack Obama, among others--have been stigmatized as sellouts. He outlines the history of the suspicion of racial betrayal among blacks, and he shows how current fears of selling out are expressed in thought and practice. He offers a rigorous and bracing case study of the quintessential "sellout"--Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, perhaps the most vilified black public official in American history. And he gives is a first-person reckoning of how he himself has dealt with accusations of having sold out at Harvard, especially after the publication of Nigger.
Lucidly and powerfully articulated, Sellout is essential to any discussion of the troubled history of race in America.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
15 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 20, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book. Kennedy has a very engaging writing style that makes a rather grave subject accessible. I didn't agree with all of the conclusions that Kennedy made (i.e. his comparison of racial outing and sexual orientation outing) but Kennedy looks at the issue of selling out with a rigor and nuance that is refreshing and often convincing. It made me completely rethink even my own ideas of what this term means and how it is applied. For instance, I found myself feeling more empathetic to the plight of blacks who "passed" during and after slavery, even though I still find the idea wrong. I would recommend it anyone who wants a better understanding not only of the term sellout but also the idea of racial solidarity among African Americans and how it affects our politics.
October 4, 2016
Was really expecting something phenomenal from the title of the book, only to briskly read it and find out that the book was ordinary. This book exposed a lot of history I didn't know of, but the book felt like a defense of 'sambos' and race traitors.
The Clarence Thomas part was written well, but felt like a cop-out for Justice Thomas. He has parts of the book where makes some comparisons with other groups, which I disagree with, but drives home the point of not being quick to name call without proper examination.
Another glaring omission that I caught, was that he never mentioned Thurgood Marshall being a FBI informant. In his introduction he mentioned that he was an intern for Marshall during the 80's. Maybe that played a reason into him not mentioning it.
A decent read, but nothing to write home about.
The Clarence Thomas part was written well, but felt like a cop-out for Justice Thomas. He has parts of the book where makes some comparisons with other groups, which I disagree with, but drives home the point of not being quick to name call without proper examination.
Another glaring omission that I caught, was that he never mentioned Thurgood Marshall being a FBI informant. In his introduction he mentioned that he was an intern for Marshall during the 80's. Maybe that played a reason into him not mentioning it.
A decent read, but nothing to write home about.
November 10, 2025
A brief look, politically, culturally, and historically, into the concept of a Black “sellout,” someone perceived as disloyal to Black people. First, a history. Slaves who snitched to their masters about upcoming slave rebellions or escapes and were rewarded with freedom or even slaves of their own. Post-slavery, spies hired by the police or racist white citizens’ organizations were tasked with reporting on Black organizations. William Hannibal Thomas was a Black activist who suddenly, did a 180 and wrote a book arguing for the inferiority of Black people to whites. He was universally condemned by the Black community, but he received money and support from whites.
Then Kennedy discusses contemporary views on “selling out.” Kennedy discusses overzealous attempts to brand Black people as sellouts; sometimes interracial dating or criticism of certain political goals is enough to label someone a sellout. Kennedy ultimately does believe that collective action (in this case, fighting for the interests of Black people) requires coordination, and coordination requires discipline. There is a time and place to label someone a sellout, although it should not be used excessively, and there should be social penalties for a “false” accusation.
Then there is an entire chapter on Clarence Thomas alone, which I thought was revealing and somewhat funny. I mean, every chapter is about some broad cultural concept or a historical analysis, and then there’s a chapter on a single person lol.
It’s a nuanced chapter, discussing the fair and unfair criticisms of Thomas. Kennedy concludes that there has been some overzealous criticism of Thomas. For example, it’s not fair to criticize him for being a beneficiary of affirmative action while criticizing it. Affirmative action is either good or bad; Thomas’s personal benefit isn’t relevant. There is also a degree to which Thomas receives special criticism that similarly harmful white conservative justices don’t receive.
And yet, there are legitimate criticisms of Thomas. Thomas cynically deploys his Black identity and the presence of racism when it benefits him, such as when he said Anita Hill’s accusation was a “high-tech lynching.” I wish Kennedy had mentioned Thomas’s comments about his sister. Thomas told a journalist that his sister was too dependent on welfare, a comment that neatly fit with the widespread conservative view that Black people were/are lazy and overly dependent on welfare. This (rightfully) enraged the Black community, and it turns out, it wasn’t even true!
To me, that incident is what infuriates me the most about Clarence Thomas. Other views, like his originalism or belief in the colorblind Constitution, are (in Kennedy’s and my own view) best understood as legit disagreements about what is good legal doctrine and what is best for the Black community. His comments about his sister, however, strike me as both indefensible and paradigmatic of the problem of “selling out.” He threw his own family(and implicitly his race)under the bus in order to confirm the racist views of white conservatives, and he received political and economic benefit in return.
There’s also a chapter on Black people who “pass” as white. I thought this was interesting but a little outdated. The one-drop rule meant that people whom we would consider white today were legally Black. Most of his examples and analysis come from the distant past. Today, though, it seems significantly less common for a Black person to “pass” as white. It still happens, of course, just less likely than in the days of the one-drop rule.
Overall, a thought-provoking book. I think Kennedy is slightly too charitable to perceived “sellouts,” but I largely agree with the core of his analysis, even if I draw the precise boundaries differently.
Quote
“Sellout rhetoric and its concomitant attitudes, gestures, and strategies can prompt excessive self-censorship, truncate needed debate, and nurture demagoguery. But ostracism, or at least the potential for ostracism, is also part of the unavoidable cost of collective action and group maintenance. Thus, to the extent that Carter and his camp want to perpetuate black communities but eschew any internal monitoring of these communities, they want a sociological impossibility. The identification and stigmatization of taboos, including betrayal, are simply inescapable, albeit dangerous, aspects of any collective enterprise.”
Then Kennedy discusses contemporary views on “selling out.” Kennedy discusses overzealous attempts to brand Black people as sellouts; sometimes interracial dating or criticism of certain political goals is enough to label someone a sellout. Kennedy ultimately does believe that collective action (in this case, fighting for the interests of Black people) requires coordination, and coordination requires discipline. There is a time and place to label someone a sellout, although it should not be used excessively, and there should be social penalties for a “false” accusation.
Then there is an entire chapter on Clarence Thomas alone, which I thought was revealing and somewhat funny. I mean, every chapter is about some broad cultural concept or a historical analysis, and then there’s a chapter on a single person lol.
It’s a nuanced chapter, discussing the fair and unfair criticisms of Thomas. Kennedy concludes that there has been some overzealous criticism of Thomas. For example, it’s not fair to criticize him for being a beneficiary of affirmative action while criticizing it. Affirmative action is either good or bad; Thomas’s personal benefit isn’t relevant. There is also a degree to which Thomas receives special criticism that similarly harmful white conservative justices don’t receive.
And yet, there are legitimate criticisms of Thomas. Thomas cynically deploys his Black identity and the presence of racism when it benefits him, such as when he said Anita Hill’s accusation was a “high-tech lynching.” I wish Kennedy had mentioned Thomas’s comments about his sister. Thomas told a journalist that his sister was too dependent on welfare, a comment that neatly fit with the widespread conservative view that Black people were/are lazy and overly dependent on welfare. This (rightfully) enraged the Black community, and it turns out, it wasn’t even true!
To me, that incident is what infuriates me the most about Clarence Thomas. Other views, like his originalism or belief in the colorblind Constitution, are (in Kennedy’s and my own view) best understood as legit disagreements about what is good legal doctrine and what is best for the Black community. His comments about his sister, however, strike me as both indefensible and paradigmatic of the problem of “selling out.” He threw his own family(and implicitly his race)under the bus in order to confirm the racist views of white conservatives, and he received political and economic benefit in return.
There’s also a chapter on Black people who “pass” as white. I thought this was interesting but a little outdated. The one-drop rule meant that people whom we would consider white today were legally Black. Most of his examples and analysis come from the distant past. Today, though, it seems significantly less common for a Black person to “pass” as white. It still happens, of course, just less likely than in the days of the one-drop rule.
Overall, a thought-provoking book. I think Kennedy is slightly too charitable to perceived “sellouts,” but I largely agree with the core of his analysis, even if I draw the precise boundaries differently.
Quote
“Sellout rhetoric and its concomitant attitudes, gestures, and strategies can prompt excessive self-censorship, truncate needed debate, and nurture demagoguery. But ostracism, or at least the potential for ostracism, is also part of the unavoidable cost of collective action and group maintenance. Thus, to the extent that Carter and his camp want to perpetuate black communities but eschew any internal monitoring of these communities, they want a sociological impossibility. The identification and stigmatization of taboos, including betrayal, are simply inescapable, albeit dangerous, aspects of any collective enterprise.”
February 10, 2008
Excellent! Excellent!
Upon reading this, I was appalled at how little of black history I knew (I'm white from California). The point of this book is that African Americans are often at odds within their community of which of their leaders has "sold out" and which haven't, leaders both historical and modern (and he includes discussion on who I personally see in the media--Obama, Oprah, Rice, Powell, Clarence Thomes, even Tiger Woods).
Why aren't historically important black leaders in the history books? Actually, now that I've read it, I think I understand. It's too complex for high school. Take, for example, a printed statement from 1868, wherein a black leader calls from the rights for blacks to own land but under white supervision, since black are, after all, inferior. The last half of that statement, under today's standards, makes the black man who wrote it a "sell out." But two things: one, it was radically progressive for its day and started the changes that helped the race that, because of those advances, today has the right to call him a "sell out", and; two, anything more radical would have shut down his newspaper and so may not be the purest form of his opinion. I'm afraid that a statement like that, read by high school students today, could be taken very, very wrongly and could even be used as ammunition for racism instead of as a means of understanding how slaves eventually, painstakingly, and with much dissension and disagreement within the ranks, climbed out of the cotton fields and into the position they hold today.
There is wonderful discussion on the politics of mainstream black America and the realities of black Americans ostracized from their racial community for their differing opinions. It asks difficult questions about the benefits versus cost of ostracizing but also warns of the danger of believing every idea meant for the black community is fine and good as long as it's made by a black. In other words, sometimes it's a good thing to dismiss people as "sell outs." He points out that the messages of gang leaders and even some musicians could fall under the category of "harmful to the race." He would, however, like to see a more judicious use of the term "sell out" and better scrutiny by blacks in general before they'll believe the accusation of "selling out."
Very, very good. Well written and thoughtful. A true insider's look at how blacks on both sides of such issues as Affirmative Action, believe current policy is affecting themselves and their communities.
Upon reading this, I was appalled at how little of black history I knew (I'm white from California). The point of this book is that African Americans are often at odds within their community of which of their leaders has "sold out" and which haven't, leaders both historical and modern (and he includes discussion on who I personally see in the media--Obama, Oprah, Rice, Powell, Clarence Thomes, even Tiger Woods).
Why aren't historically important black leaders in the history books? Actually, now that I've read it, I think I understand. It's too complex for high school. Take, for example, a printed statement from 1868, wherein a black leader calls from the rights for blacks to own land but under white supervision, since black are, after all, inferior. The last half of that statement, under today's standards, makes the black man who wrote it a "sell out." But two things: one, it was radically progressive for its day and started the changes that helped the race that, because of those advances, today has the right to call him a "sell out", and; two, anything more radical would have shut down his newspaper and so may not be the purest form of his opinion. I'm afraid that a statement like that, read by high school students today, could be taken very, very wrongly and could even be used as ammunition for racism instead of as a means of understanding how slaves eventually, painstakingly, and with much dissension and disagreement within the ranks, climbed out of the cotton fields and into the position they hold today.
There is wonderful discussion on the politics of mainstream black America and the realities of black Americans ostracized from their racial community for their differing opinions. It asks difficult questions about the benefits versus cost of ostracizing but also warns of the danger of believing every idea meant for the black community is fine and good as long as it's made by a black. In other words, sometimes it's a good thing to dismiss people as "sell outs." He points out that the messages of gang leaders and even some musicians could fall under the category of "harmful to the race." He would, however, like to see a more judicious use of the term "sell out" and better scrutiny by blacks in general before they'll believe the accusation of "selling out."
Very, very good. Well written and thoughtful. A true insider's look at how blacks on both sides of such issues as Affirmative Action, believe current policy is affecting themselves and their communities.
December 6, 2012
This is a great book that provides an insightful and even-handed look at the use of the word "sellout" by some African-Americans against other blacks.
Kennedy is personally qualified, as he notes near the end of the book. Besides being a professor at Harvard Law and the author of previous black sociology/studies type books, he has himself been a target of the "sellout" moniker more than once.
At the beginning, Kennedy explains that the word is used as part of efforts to maintain racial solidarity. He then notes that other groups use similar tactics, and later in the book draws some parallels to the gay/lesbian community.
But, for groups in general and black in general, this raises new questions that Kennedy tackles.
What are the defining points of the community, and here, specifically, the black community? And, who are the guardians and gatekeepers?
On the former question, Kennedy says it is, without a doubt, affirmative action. He then devoted an entire chapter to exploring how this rubber hit the road with Clarence Thomas.
Kennedy isn't afraid to point fingers at many black "guardians" for merely engaging Thomas on his point of view, rather than any evidence he may have for it. He links this to the larger problem of black "guardians" writing off black conservatives in general. He makes clear that wrestling with an opposing point of view on empirical grounds does not necessarily mean agreeing with it.
No. 2, after affirmative action, from how I read Kennedy, he would probably say is interracial marriage.
And No. 3, quite relevant today with Barack Obama and Tiger Woods, is racial identity. Kennedy defends an ABC reporter a year ago asking Obama about how he identified himself, in part by referencing Woods' "Cablinasian" self-designation.
Kennedy is personally qualified, as he notes near the end of the book. Besides being a professor at Harvard Law and the author of previous black sociology/studies type books, he has himself been a target of the "sellout" moniker more than once.
At the beginning, Kennedy explains that the word is used as part of efforts to maintain racial solidarity. He then notes that other groups use similar tactics, and later in the book draws some parallels to the gay/lesbian community.
But, for groups in general and black in general, this raises new questions that Kennedy tackles.
What are the defining points of the community, and here, specifically, the black community? And, who are the guardians and gatekeepers?
On the former question, Kennedy says it is, without a doubt, affirmative action. He then devoted an entire chapter to exploring how this rubber hit the road with Clarence Thomas.
Kennedy isn't afraid to point fingers at many black "guardians" for merely engaging Thomas on his point of view, rather than any evidence he may have for it. He links this to the larger problem of black "guardians" writing off black conservatives in general. He makes clear that wrestling with an opposing point of view on empirical grounds does not necessarily mean agreeing with it.
No. 2, after affirmative action, from how I read Kennedy, he would probably say is interracial marriage.
And No. 3, quite relevant today with Barack Obama and Tiger Woods, is racial identity. Kennedy defends an ABC reporter a year ago asking Obama about how he identified himself, in part by referencing Woods' "Cablinasian" self-designation.
May 23, 2008
Kennedy's tendency to go off on tangents would be more forgivable if this book wasn't so brief. His lengthy examination of Clarence Thomas is the only place where this volume seems adequate. Elsewhere, Kennedy seems to cherry pick whatever random facts about passing and African American sell-outs suit his purposes, leaving the reader with a lot of interesting facts that don't lead up to a greater understanding of the phenomenon.
That being said, I'd personally pay this man to explore the punk underground and create a multi-disciplinary exercise on what it means to be a sell-out in varying contexts. We'll even get Reel Big Fish to provide the forward!
That being said, I'd personally pay this man to explore the punk underground and create a multi-disciplinary exercise on what it means to be a sell-out in varying contexts. We'll even get Reel Big Fish to provide the forward!
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April 4, 2025Book Review: Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal
Author: Randall Kennedy
In Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal, Randall Kennedy delves into the complex and often contentious discourse surrounding the concept of racial betrayal within the African American community. With a keen analytical lens, Kennedy explores the historical and cultural implications of what it means to be labeled a “sellout” and the ramifications this label has on individuals and communities.
Summary
Kennedy’s book is structured around the examination of historical instances and contemporary examples of perceived betrayal among black individuals who have navigated the complexities of race, identity, and allegiance. By critically engaging with various figures—from prominent political leaders to cultural icons—he illustrates the nuances inherent in discussions of loyalty and race. Through a series of well-researched case studies, Kennedy outlines how accusations of selling out reflect larger societal tensions and fears regarding authenticity and representation.
The author argues that the suspicion of racial betrayal is deeply rooted in the African American experience, shaped by historical injustices and socio-political dynamics. He emphasizes that the consequences of such accusations can be damaging, often leading to ostracization and a sense of alienation among those labeled as sellouts.
Themes and Analysis
A central theme in Sellout is the exploration of identity and loyalty. Kennedy challenges the dichotomy often presented in discussions of race: the idea that one must choose between loyalty to one’s community and personal success or integration into broader society. Through his nuanced analysis, he advocates for a more complex understanding of black identity that accommodates diverse experiences and choices.
Kennedy also raises critical questions about the nature of racial solidarity and the expectations placed on individuals within the community. He critiques the simplistic narratives that often dominate discussions about race and betrayal, offering instead a more textured portrayal of the motivations and contexts that shape individual actions. This approach invites readers to reconsider their assumptions and recognize the agency of those who have been labeled as sellouts.
Style and Tone
Kennedy’s writing is thoughtful and accessible, characterized by a blend of academic rigor and personal engagement. His style is analytical yet empathetic, allowing him to engage with sensitive topics without alienating readers. The tone is both critical and reflective, inviting discourse while acknowledging the emotional weight of the subject matter.
Conclusion
Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal is a significant contribution to the discourse on race, identity, and politics within the African American community. Randall Kennedy offers a compelling analysis that challenges prevailing notions of loyalty and betrayal, making it an essential read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of race in America.
Recommendation
I highly recommend Sellout for those studying race relations, American history, and sociology. It serves as a critical resource for understanding the intricate dynamics of racial identity and the societal pressures that influence individual behavior. Kennedy’s insights are particularly relevant in today’s discussions about race, authenticity, and community, encouraging a deeper examination of what it means to belong.
Author: Randall Kennedy
In Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal, Randall Kennedy delves into the complex and often contentious discourse surrounding the concept of racial betrayal within the African American community. With a keen analytical lens, Kennedy explores the historical and cultural implications of what it means to be labeled a “sellout” and the ramifications this label has on individuals and communities.
Summary
Kennedy’s book is structured around the examination of historical instances and contemporary examples of perceived betrayal among black individuals who have navigated the complexities of race, identity, and allegiance. By critically engaging with various figures—from prominent political leaders to cultural icons—he illustrates the nuances inherent in discussions of loyalty and race. Through a series of well-researched case studies, Kennedy outlines how accusations of selling out reflect larger societal tensions and fears regarding authenticity and representation.
The author argues that the suspicion of racial betrayal is deeply rooted in the African American experience, shaped by historical injustices and socio-political dynamics. He emphasizes that the consequences of such accusations can be damaging, often leading to ostracization and a sense of alienation among those labeled as sellouts.
Themes and Analysis
A central theme in Sellout is the exploration of identity and loyalty. Kennedy challenges the dichotomy often presented in discussions of race: the idea that one must choose between loyalty to one’s community and personal success or integration into broader society. Through his nuanced analysis, he advocates for a more complex understanding of black identity that accommodates diverse experiences and choices.
Kennedy also raises critical questions about the nature of racial solidarity and the expectations placed on individuals within the community. He critiques the simplistic narratives that often dominate discussions about race and betrayal, offering instead a more textured portrayal of the motivations and contexts that shape individual actions. This approach invites readers to reconsider their assumptions and recognize the agency of those who have been labeled as sellouts.
Style and Tone
Kennedy’s writing is thoughtful and accessible, characterized by a blend of academic rigor and personal engagement. His style is analytical yet empathetic, allowing him to engage with sensitive topics without alienating readers. The tone is both critical and reflective, inviting discourse while acknowledging the emotional weight of the subject matter.
Conclusion
Sellout: The Politics of Racial Betrayal is a significant contribution to the discourse on race, identity, and politics within the African American community. Randall Kennedy offers a compelling analysis that challenges prevailing notions of loyalty and betrayal, making it an essential read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of race in America.
Recommendation
I highly recommend Sellout for those studying race relations, American history, and sociology. It serves as a critical resource for understanding the intricate dynamics of racial identity and the societal pressures that influence individual behavior. Kennedy’s insights are particularly relevant in today’s discussions about race, authenticity, and community, encouraging a deeper examination of what it means to belong.
July 29, 2024
This book provides an interesting counterpoint to Clay Cane's book, "The Grift," particularly in its discussion of Clarence Thomas. Mr. Cane's idea of Black grifters who take positions contrary to Black interests for personal gain is even more aggressive than the concept of the "sellout" discussed by Mr. Kennedy where the people accused of selling out are mostly just venal, not actively fraudulent.
As he acknowledges, Mr. Kennedy has himself been accused of selling out. This book is in part self-defense, so perhaps he protests too much against the "sellout" label, but I do agree that at times people who have been accused of selling out have been judged too harshly. Each case should be judged by its own merits. For example, I'm fine with the idea that, at least in America today, people should be able to identify or not identify with whatever racial category they want. If Tiger Woods doesn't want to identify as a Black man, that's his choice. And I acknowledge that Mr. Kennedy has read the opinions of Clarence Thomas more deeply than I have to find references to Black history and culture that demonstrate that Justice Thomas (or at least the clerks who do most of the writing) is just a bad judge and not as much of a sellout as others have suggested. I think that gives Justice Thomas way too much of a break. I'm in favor of a looking at both sides of a question, but when it comes to Clarence Thomas, I'm unconvinced. He's a grifter.
Also, Mr. Kennedy acknowledges that there are times when racial/ethnic solidarity is important so that when it is time to join together to support an important common interest, the people who don't are justly criticized. He doesn't completely reject the idea of the "sellout" label, but he draws the line way further in the direction of justifying "sellout" behavior than I would.
As he acknowledges, Mr. Kennedy has himself been accused of selling out. This book is in part self-defense, so perhaps he protests too much against the "sellout" label, but I do agree that at times people who have been accused of selling out have been judged too harshly. Each case should be judged by its own merits. For example, I'm fine with the idea that, at least in America today, people should be able to identify or not identify with whatever racial category they want. If Tiger Woods doesn't want to identify as a Black man, that's his choice. And I acknowledge that Mr. Kennedy has read the opinions of Clarence Thomas more deeply than I have to find references to Black history and culture that demonstrate that Justice Thomas (or at least the clerks who do most of the writing) is just a bad judge and not as much of a sellout as others have suggested. I think that gives Justice Thomas way too much of a break. I'm in favor of a looking at both sides of a question, but when it comes to Clarence Thomas, I'm unconvinced. He's a grifter.
Also, Mr. Kennedy acknowledges that there are times when racial/ethnic solidarity is important so that when it is time to join together to support an important common interest, the people who don't are justly criticized. He doesn't completely reject the idea of the "sellout" label, but he draws the line way further in the direction of justifying "sellout" behavior than I would.
October 26, 2020
A very interesting book! It approaches the sensitive and complex issue of selling out with historical evidence, commentary, and the author's "burdensome requirements." Some topics included in the discussion: symbolic representation, intraracial mistreatment, ostracism, affirmative action, and racial passing.
This book has great footnotes, some apologetic rhetoric, and debatable arguments. The epilogue has input from the author about his personal experiences with the issue.
💫Quotes:
"This suspicion [selling out] often rubs up against another tendency prevalent in Black America: the habit of celebrating any promotion by a fellow black as a sign of collective advancement" (p. 67-68).
"This unwillingness or inability to acknowledge the ideological diversity of Black America homogenizes a population that has always been far more pluralistic than commonly acknowledged" (p. 73).
This book has great footnotes, some apologetic rhetoric, and debatable arguments. The epilogue has input from the author about his personal experiences with the issue.
💫Quotes:
"This suspicion [selling out] often rubs up against another tendency prevalent in Black America: the habit of celebrating any promotion by a fellow black as a sign of collective advancement" (p. 67-68).
"This unwillingness or inability to acknowledge the ideological diversity of Black America homogenizes a population that has always been far more pluralistic than commonly acknowledged" (p. 73).
December 6, 2021
Very interesting, well reasoned, and fully documented analysis of the concept of group loyalty. Glad I read it, and do recommend it to others interested in racial insights.
(Why not 5 stars? Although excellent, it is not life-changing for me, and I generally reserve 4 stars for my favorite fiction.)
(Why not 5 stars? Although excellent, it is not life-changing for me, and I generally reserve 4 stars for my favorite fiction.)
October 7, 2018
Seems like it was too short great read though
November 17, 2020
Political and historical. The term 'sell-out' and when it came into use was informative and challenging. I enjoyed reading his thought provocating perspective.
March 25, 2011
The black community, like every other, has its “Official” history, and along side of that history it has “Things we wish weren’t true, and we’re trying to forget about, so please stop bringing it up!”
I imagine that many in the black community see Randall Kennedy as a sellout, for the fact that he won’t shut up about the things the self-appointed black community police don’t want us to know. Like how black people were sometimes slave-owners (or paid for their work), and how there was great disagreement amongst black intellectuals about their race and the future of it. We didn’t all have a dream!
In the early part of the book he focuses on the one-drop rule and how it was created by people interested in white supremacy. He then juxtaposes this racist concept with the modern belief held by many blacks that if you’re any part black, you are black. I found this a compelling part of the book because I am half-black and half-white, but I look Latino. This has put me on the outside of black culture, because for the longest time I couldn’t understand why anyone would want me to embrace half of myself, to the exclusion of my other half. And when I finally did understand that I was being asked to adopt a matriarchal society and reject a patriarchal society, I refused – I’m a man and a breadwinner, not a woman’s disposable baby maker.
This book made me think about a lot of interesting race-related topics. For example, take the bus boycott in Montgomery. What if you were a black person who just wanted to get to work and the bus was how you did it? The boycotts asked you to, essentially, give up your livelihood in order to “stay black” which meant not get beat up by a group of people who called you a sellout and a traitor. (And I’m not just making that up, it’s mentioned in this book that there is court testimony that blacks who tried to ride faced violence eerily similar to what a Klansmen might engage in.) Coercion is never valid, and always betrays the underlying movement it purports to advance. The blacks who were afraid to ride weren’t blacker because of their fear, and would simply “sellout” in less visible ways.
You either have group unity or you do not; enforcing it by force is inherently invalid. This is why groups are supposed to be small, like maybe family sized? Certainly not the size of an entire race.
Randall Kennedy has put together a book which contains an excellent argument for voluntary race-group belonging, saying that “black” is in your mind and your behavior, not on your skin. I disagree with him, and I think that we need to exist in a post-racial world, eschewing race as a concept, but hey, I’m a mixed guy who looks like a Latino – what else would I think? Randall Kennedy cites a lot of sources and the book is a jumping off point for much more detailed reading. I did find the footnotes to be long and distracting, though. It felt like there was another whole book down there and sometimes the ACTUAL book had fewer words on a page than the footnotes, and they often ran for multiple pages.
My main problem with this book is the length of time Randall Kennedy spent discussing Clarence Thomas. This section could have been a lot shorter (it was 57 pages in my version, the longest chapter), and I would have appreciated the space this took up being used for interviews with “normal” black folks who hold these stupid notions of “being against affirmative action means you’re not black.” In a book about an accusation, he doesn’t spend nearly enough time speaking in the voice of the accuser, or letting that accuser have the floor via quotes. Mr. Kennedy – show us how this affects us day to day folk. Most of us are not on the Supreme Court.
I imagine that many in the black community see Randall Kennedy as a sellout, for the fact that he won’t shut up about the things the self-appointed black community police don’t want us to know. Like how black people were sometimes slave-owners (or paid for their work), and how there was great disagreement amongst black intellectuals about their race and the future of it. We didn’t all have a dream!
In the early part of the book he focuses on the one-drop rule and how it was created by people interested in white supremacy. He then juxtaposes this racist concept with the modern belief held by many blacks that if you’re any part black, you are black. I found this a compelling part of the book because I am half-black and half-white, but I look Latino. This has put me on the outside of black culture, because for the longest time I couldn’t understand why anyone would want me to embrace half of myself, to the exclusion of my other half. And when I finally did understand that I was being asked to adopt a matriarchal society and reject a patriarchal society, I refused – I’m a man and a breadwinner, not a woman’s disposable baby maker.
This book made me think about a lot of interesting race-related topics. For example, take the bus boycott in Montgomery. What if you were a black person who just wanted to get to work and the bus was how you did it? The boycotts asked you to, essentially, give up your livelihood in order to “stay black” which meant not get beat up by a group of people who called you a sellout and a traitor. (And I’m not just making that up, it’s mentioned in this book that there is court testimony that blacks who tried to ride faced violence eerily similar to what a Klansmen might engage in.) Coercion is never valid, and always betrays the underlying movement it purports to advance. The blacks who were afraid to ride weren’t blacker because of their fear, and would simply “sellout” in less visible ways.
You either have group unity or you do not; enforcing it by force is inherently invalid. This is why groups are supposed to be small, like maybe family sized? Certainly not the size of an entire race.
Randall Kennedy has put together a book which contains an excellent argument for voluntary race-group belonging, saying that “black” is in your mind and your behavior, not on your skin. I disagree with him, and I think that we need to exist in a post-racial world, eschewing race as a concept, but hey, I’m a mixed guy who looks like a Latino – what else would I think? Randall Kennedy cites a lot of sources and the book is a jumping off point for much more detailed reading. I did find the footnotes to be long and distracting, though. It felt like there was another whole book down there and sometimes the ACTUAL book had fewer words on a page than the footnotes, and they often ran for multiple pages.
My main problem with this book is the length of time Randall Kennedy spent discussing Clarence Thomas. This section could have been a lot shorter (it was 57 pages in my version, the longest chapter), and I would have appreciated the space this took up being used for interviews with “normal” black folks who hold these stupid notions of “being against affirmative action means you’re not black.” In a book about an accusation, he doesn’t spend nearly enough time speaking in the voice of the accuser, or letting that accuser have the floor via quotes. Mr. Kennedy – show us how this affects us day to day folk. Most of us are not on the Supreme Court.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2016
More of a 3.5, but I'm bumping it up to 4. This book really could have been fleshed out more, especially given that half of it seems to be devoted to the case of Clarence Thomas, but it's an engaging look at how the concept of the racial betrayer reflects the boundaries and cohesion (or lack thereof) of the black community. Of particular interest to me was the way that black people have used the one drop rule to retroactively "claim" figures who would not have considered themselves black, or were not considered such by peers (see Beethoven being black).
Some of Kennedy's attempts at evenhandedness tempered down his argument to a bland call for nuance, so I would have liked to see more discussion of the black law students who were part of the impetus for this book. The dispassionate tone works for historical analysis, but less so when you're asking a community at large to respond to disagreement less dramatically. On that note, the book could have also discussed more points of racial disagreement than just affirmative action, though Kennedy paints this as the main factor of Thomas' unpopularity. There are hints about class divisions, political stances, and interracial marriage and adoption, but these are for the most part lightly touched upon.
Some of Kennedy's attempts at evenhandedness tempered down his argument to a bland call for nuance, so I would have liked to see more discussion of the black law students who were part of the impetus for this book. The dispassionate tone works for historical analysis, but less so when you're asking a community at large to respond to disagreement less dramatically. On that note, the book could have also discussed more points of racial disagreement than just affirmative action, though Kennedy paints this as the main factor of Thomas' unpopularity. There are hints about class divisions, political stances, and interracial marriage and adoption, but these are for the most part lightly touched upon.
May 6, 2008
Randall Kennedy of 'Nigger: the strange career of a troublesome word' has written another legal brief masquerading as a book. The author discusses the concept of 'sellout' and documents the concept very well. His discussion of accusations that he is a 'sellout' is very on point. The discussion in chapter 2, however is very weak from the point of view
modern DNA analysis. The chapter (2) is entitled 'Who is Black?' Kennedy accepts American cultural/racial classification, amorphous and quirky as it is.
A further missed opportunity is Kennedy's almost complete failure to explore the world of Rap and various other criminal cabals as they relate to the concept of 'sellout', most famously in the manner of relations between various rappers and the police and legal system. All in all, another good book that does a fairly good job of laying out the terrain of America's racial landscape.
modern DNA analysis. The chapter (2) is entitled 'Who is Black?' Kennedy accepts American cultural/racial classification, amorphous and quirky as it is.
A further missed opportunity is Kennedy's almost complete failure to explore the world of Rap and various other criminal cabals as they relate to the concept of 'sellout', most famously in the manner of relations between various rappers and the police and legal system. All in all, another good book that does a fairly good job of laying out the terrain of America's racial landscape.
March 14, 2015
A thoughtful, well considered and interesting exploration of "sellouts" and "race traitors". The commentary and insights are often relevant and applicable in areas beyond race as well.
Kennedy is perhaps overly reasonable and too willing to consider opinions from all sides of an issue as valid, often assuming good motives for others when that might not be the cast. This, combined with the lack of exhibited passion makes the material feel more scholarly, yet also more bland and lacks a sense of urgency and call to action.
Overall, I learned things and it was thought provoking. For that reason I'm glad to have read it. I'd love to read a thoughtful counterpoint or rebuttal to some of the arguments and statements made in the book.
(more like 3.5 stars)
Kennedy is perhaps overly reasonable and too willing to consider opinions from all sides of an issue as valid, often assuming good motives for others when that might not be the cast. This, combined with the lack of exhibited passion makes the material feel more scholarly, yet also more bland and lacks a sense of urgency and call to action.
Overall, I learned things and it was thought provoking. For that reason I'm glad to have read it. I'd love to read a thoughtful counterpoint or rebuttal to some of the arguments and statements made in the book.
(more like 3.5 stars)
March 5, 2008
Much better than Ghetto Nation, which I recently read. Not that they're covering the same thing really, so that's a little unfair.
However both of these books, as well as Juan Williams' Enough do talk about how people (primarily black people, but not exclusively) deal with the many problems that black popular culture can present. To be black and reject those cultural tropes outright might well get someone branded a "Sellout."
Enjoyable, illuminating, even-handed, and excellently researched. It's not only worth reading, it's not a chore of a read at all - it's not a brick of a book that'll weight you down and bore you.
However both of these books, as well as Juan Williams' Enough do talk about how people (primarily black people, but not exclusively) deal with the many problems that black popular culture can present. To be black and reject those cultural tropes outright might well get someone branded a "Sellout."
Enjoyable, illuminating, even-handed, and excellently researched. It's not only worth reading, it's not a chore of a read at all - it's not a brick of a book that'll weight you down and bore you.
July 6, 2010
9 – I delineate the negative effects that attend…
Page 10 –
Page 14 – “The Devil Fashed”
15 – Footnotes
26 – Mark L.Stobbins
Page 54 – Much of conduct
Page 59 – Definition of “soul patrol”
Page 60 – Drop Squad (1994)
Page 62- Vernon Jordan disease
Page 67 – The Real Sell outs
Page 68-69 – The Consequences that have
Page 70 –
Page 73 – Homogenizing Black America’s ideological diversity
Page 139 – 140 – requirements
Page 143 – Condoleezza’s Vice
Page 77- rather than bickering
Page 78 – Carter posits that
Page 78 – 79
Page 80 – Footnote
Page 82 – We rightly
Page 85 – Footnote
Page 85-86 – This response should...
Page 10 –
Page 14 – “The Devil Fashed”
15 – Footnotes
26 – Mark L.Stobbins
Page 54 – Much of conduct
Page 59 – Definition of “soul patrol”
Page 60 – Drop Squad (1994)
Page 62- Vernon Jordan disease
Page 67 – The Real Sell outs
Page 68-69 – The Consequences that have
Page 70 –
Page 73 – Homogenizing Black America’s ideological diversity
Page 139 – 140 – requirements
Page 143 – Condoleezza’s Vice
Page 77- rather than bickering
Page 78 – Carter posits that
Page 78 – 79
Page 80 – Footnote
Page 82 – We rightly
Page 85 – Footnote
Page 85-86 – This response should...
June 1, 2008
I read this because I heard Randall Kennedy on City Arts and Lectures. He traces the history of accusations of racial betrayal and makes the case that wielding the term "sellout" within the African American community should be sharply constrained, though not eliminated entirely. His argument is worth considering for any group.
September 14, 2008
A book I wish Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the like would read. One that should be on the night stand of every Black community leader and activist. Kennedy pulls no punches with this book, and takes no obvious sides. He objectively analyzes and critiques arguments for and against intra-racial ostracism.
December 9, 2015
Surprisingly nimble reading given the subject matter - only ever-so-slightly slowed down by parts of the chapter on "passing." Despite the brisk pace it relies heavily on well researched (and comprehensively footnoted) arguments. I love the way this man thinks and his expression of those thoughts is a pleasure to recommend.
February 26, 2008
Another thoroughly researched book by Kennedy. I was amused that the longest chapter of the book was about Clarence Thomas.
I just got back from Boston and there were autographed copies in the Harvard Square bookstore. The collector in me wanted one, but I'd just fed my vinyl addiction.
I just got back from Boston and there were autographed copies in the Harvard Square bookstore. The collector in me wanted one, but I'd just fed my vinyl addiction.
Want to read
January 17, 2008uugh. more required reading.
December 4, 2012
Like Ron Christie's Acting White, but good.
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