Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence

by Keli Goff

For the last forty years the label “black voter” has been virtually synonymous with “Democrat” but a new generation of voters is changing that. In her provocative new book Party Crashing, political commentator Keli Goff introduces America’s newest swing voter. Like soccer moms and Nascar dads before them, young, black voters born after the Civil Rights Movement are becoming increasingly up for grabs, politically speaking. While the politics of their parents and grandparents were shaped by the Civil Rights Movement, Goff notes that the politics of her peers, members of the post-Civil Rights generation, have been shaped by a number of cultural influencers that transcend race; from “The Cosby Show,” to icons such as Oprah Winfrey, and the tragedy of 9/11. Civil rights has long been the defining political issue for black Americans but for this emerging generation of black voters, civil rights is now one issue among many that define their politics. As a result, they are challenging the idea that one’s skin color should color one’s political identity, and they are also challenging the idea that they should be Democrats. Since the support of black Americans has been crucial to the success of democratic candidates-from Presidents Kennedy to Clinton-this shift could be one of the most important developments in modern politics, arguably as important as the Civil Rights movement itself. Along with the political shift occurring, Goff also examines the cultural shift that is taking place on a wide range of issues including: gay marriage, hip-hop, and the emergence of what Goff calls “Generation Obama.” Through in-depth interviews with young, black voters, groundbreaking survey research, and conversations with a range of high profile Americans-from Colin Powell to Russell Simmons-Party Crashing explores the issues and people who have helped shape the politics of the post-Civil Rights Generation, and how this generation is reshaping America.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2008

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time reading this book, and it still applies to today's political view amongst younger generations and those from the hip-hop generation.

The book even mentions Trump which is even more crazy!!

Read it!!

[Feliz Moreno]

Goff sounded like one of the few black authors I have read recently who is “tuned in” to the political and social dilemmas of the generation coming of age post-civil rights. To previous generations the idea that the young black voters of today don’t feel they owe it to the Democratic party to support them is horrifying. Yet, the rise of political independence among black voters has made them more significant contenders in the electoral process.

I especially appreciated that Goff spent less time trying to convince me of one perspective or another (should young black people remain loyal Democratic voters? Is it best to vote independently of one’s racially charged political history?) and just let the facts speak for themselves...

Read more at http://happyybrown.wordpress.com/2014...

[Ms. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a serious political commentary on generation Obama and the shifting ground of the democratic party in the black community. I don't agree with all of Goff's ideas, but she got me thinking. A good read, especially for this election year.

[Margaret]

Written by Kili Goff in that tiny span of time - just after Biden called Obama "articulate" and right before Obama was elected, this will be an interesting read. I'm going to wait a while to read it though; after the newness of Obama being president wears off.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book with a nice writing style. Book however should have been better edited as there were a couple of historical date errors and the author perhaps should have used more academic citations and fewer quotations from "anybody young and Black with an opinion" no matter how non-sensical.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in a sitting. Informative overview.