Capitalist Nigger: The Road To Success – A Spider Web Doctrine

by Chika Onyeani

Capitalist Nigger is an explosive and jarring indictment of the black race. The book asserts that the Negroid race, as naturally endowed as any other, is culpably a non-productive race, a consumer race that depends on other communities for its culture, its language, its feeding and its clothing. Despite enormous natural resources, blacks are economic slaves because they lack the 'devil-may-care' attitude and the 'killer instinct' of the Caucasian, as well as the spider web mentality of the Asian. A Capitalist Nigger must embody ruthlessness in pursuit of excellence in his drive towards achieving the goal of becoming an economic warrior. In putting forward the idea of the Capitalist Nigger, Chika Onyeani charts a road to success whereby black economic warriors employ the 'Spider Web Doctrine' – discipline, self-reliance, ruthlessness – to escape from their victim mentality. Born in Nigeria, Chika Onyeani is a journalist, editor and former diplomat.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2012

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the middle of reading Capitalist Nigger, i started a small business with a friend. Whilst still learning about the various concepts in the book, i discovered the importance of the Spider Web doctrine. If as a people we do not buy from each other, then surely the little monies we earn are always going to leave our community to go and develop other communities. This makes us collectively poor, and this applies even to the whole continent of Africa.

Chika Onyeani, in this book, speaks the truth and it hurts. He is right that as a people, blacks, are collectively not participating meaningfully to the development of their own countries, continent and race. We are a consuming race, we look to Europe and America for new developments in all sectors, yet we say we are educated, educated in what?

This book is not for those that don't like to be offended. It definitely will offend all who read it, the whole point is to get the reader to think after being offended. After reading it, I am glad to day I am a Capitalist Nigger.

[Taf Mupfumi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes I pick up weird things in the airport...my brain took a while to recoup from this humbug.

[Imãn Ayisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the content of this book was very shocking to read... but in good way. From the very beginning my mouth dropped open because of the way the author gave us hard facts and told the truth like it is — which was very hard to hear but much needed. It definitely helped me change my mindset as a young black girl in Southern Africa. The information was delivered bluntly and in a “matter of fact” tone but it was a good read regardless, the ideas flowed nicely and were insightful and backed up by research. I enjoyed it and found it helpful, but the writing style wasn’t always amazing throughout the book. It was more so the ideas and opinions that were presented which were plausible rather than the writing itself.

(Bear in mind that I’m a 17 year old girl in my final year of high school, and I was trying to read more non fiction books about business and the economy etc. so I might not have been the intended audience for this or perhaps I am a bit too young to understand things on a deeper level but I definitely feel like I learned some new things and I had to hear some of these harsh realities and advice.)

[Ntsapi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onyeani’s main concern is to turn Africans away from their perception of themselves as victims. We want to be spoon-fed with everything. We don’t find it shameful that others produce and we do the consumption, Africans even have expensive preferences as norms in their societies, but don't invest in producing this products.

Black dependency on the rest of the world to continue to solve its problems cannot continue.
Of all the valuables in your house how many were made or at least sold by people of African descent?

Solution: 'the spider web doctrine'

Preachy and repetitive, but necessary.

[Melanie White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Good read

a few typos but overall pretty informative. A few disagreements but overall on point. I recommend this book for all black people

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only have myself to blame for picking up this book. Fortunately, I only borrowed it.

[Sir. Coelho Kgaladi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional.

[Xavier Bapoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came out 20 years ago...

Somehow even 21 years later it carries such substance to the plight of the black community. It a book I believe every #PutSouthAficansFirst politician must familiarize themselves with.

However be warned it is an Aggressive & Repetitive call to action for all Africans to become not just self supporting and productive but to turn Africa into a Economic Super power by utilizing systems that already exist.

I read this book last in 2008, I wish I had taken it more seriously then as I hope you might.

[Mutsa Maswaure · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many stereotypes that were not backed up with evidence. Although very controversial, it does give one a lot to think about

[CT Motana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that every black person in Africa or diaspora should red this book

[M. R Phora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book draws attention to a skewed sense of success of Black race. I give the main focused subject of this book a stamp of approval: black race dependency on other races; we're consumers rather than producers. We take over rather than creating.

"The black illusion of success is measured by the kind of car we drive. In Africa, there are more Mercedes Benz, BMW and Jaguars than there are people. This is a continent which has been declared the poorest continent of the 20th Century." - Chika Onyeani if I did not misquote.

Readers who were offended by this book were offended by well-known adage, truth hurts. This should be a must-read for every black person.

4/5 stars ✨.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book four (4) starts because of the many typing errors and the too many repetitions though out the book that I noticed. Over all, Chika Onyeani made his case and his points were very valid. It is a book that I would recommend for the field Nigger that Malcolm X much espoused and not for the house nigger.

Before reading this book, I despised the word NIGGER for I considered it derogatory to the black man but Chika Onyeani makes a good point that it is not what you call me, but what I answer to, that matters most and for this reason I don’t mind being called a CAPITALIST NIGGER!

[Rha Peace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book not so long ago and I must say it was not written 'beautifully' like other books I've read. Although the Author made a lot of good points, I do feel like he didn't quite write like a writer ( I might be wrong). Although Chika made a few good points, I feel like numerous research with examples (Like Susan Cain did with Quiet) would have made me enjoy this book, he did speak a lot of truths though, I can admit that.

[Ali Bony-Kaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on taking financial responsibility

I enjoyed the fact that the author practiced what he wrote. Although the book was written in 2000, some of the things that he mentioned are still prevalent in the community. However, it’s great to see black artists and others embrace this sort of philosophy by becoming more business oriented or savvy, whether they know it or not that encourages younger generations to do the same.

[Teboho Mathuthu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly below average book. The author makes a claim that the book describes a road to success for the black race by using what the author calls ‘the spider web doctrine’. I feel like the book did a good job condemning the black race, but was weak on describing the road to success. If the author wants to create a book describing a road to success; then they should write a book about success. This book fails to meet that goal.

[Salome Zwane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author kept repeating himself, the book could have been half the pages it is.
Although his aim is to empower black people to stand and be liberated economically, he is very harsh and appears to not show empathy on what centuries of mental slavery has done to black people. It took me 3 months to finish the book because I could not digest the harsh tone of the book.

[Anthony Equamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Africa right now, there is a wave that has been rising, one I hope will be the tsunami to consume every African household, in Zambia where I'm from they are calling it Village Banking. This is the basis of The Book: Capitalist Nigger. The Spider Web Doctrine, is the revolution that Africa needs to break away from dependency.

[Erick Nganyange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I liked the book was very interesting read. I thought the idea was very simple; you can’t be free if your depending on others for everything that’s not freedom. Without other nations help Africa will fall.

[Thabang Zwane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant take on the Black race

I can’t believe that this book was written in 1999... it’s 2018 and it still hits the spot, the take on Black race is on point, and I feel the rage as the author does on my people. We have to implement his doctrine.

[Kris Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read

The book was excellent and he did a good job setting up his arguement about why blacks need to become a producer and not just a consumer. However, the book was a little repetitive.

[Yvonne Van Schalkwyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind changes

I respect your views on life, only when you fight for something you appreciate. I have a clear understanding how a black man thinks,which has opened my eyes. I wish you all the best in your new venture

[Balunga Mbolekwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There book made me our lives as black people in another light. I also got to realize that we need each other to move forward.

[Chali M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, an eye opener

[Leone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful. Quite repetative but good points.

[Marcia Mandisi Mabaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I wanted to hide reading this book - I felt overwhelmed but I finished the book and I am not a consumer!

[Aluwani Ralineba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valuable information but so much repetitive.

[Mizasi Phiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title will fool you, Chika is an amazing author brings out amazing truth

[Mijere Zimba · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book has fact on africa being an african the money we borrow from imf ,world banks should have being used to make more money be we spend spend africans we have a lot of people with qualification government sends people abroad to study in different fields bt we still hire asian, americans,europeans to build our road, heal our people etc africa need to produce its on product and support its on .

[barry alleyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read, not for the subdued mind.

I was interested in the book titled nigger heaven, but the publication was recommended by amazon. I read the synopsis and became interested. The book highlights a realistic view of the African race and discusses issues that are taboo among Africans. It allows insight and opens the doors for social enlightenment and positive discussion regarding the African races climb out of modern day slavery.

[Tina Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onyeani's words are provocative. The harsh criticism backed up by even harsher statistics paints really catastrophic picture and induces feelings of disappointment and disgust which is the overall tone, I detected in this work. However, I feel that some of the points were made without giving proper context. Onyeani repeatedly mentions the Jews as having crawled out of the Holocaust and building themselves from the ground up. This is a fallacy, The Jews have been highly compensated through reparations they still receive from Germany and recently America, they were awarded billions of dollars by government(s). Which they used as seed capital to catapult themselves and grow into the economic powerhouse they are right now. I feel that he has neglected the context of it a little. However, I understand the tenet of his message is that Black people need to start recognizing that economic solidarity and power is the name of the game in this jungle we call earth. I see that he has many harsh words for the African elite however not many words directed or clear directive on how the African middle class - yes, it does exist it's small but it does- behave or what they should do. I think it's a good debate opener as he said in the beginning of his book, is it something I would chart my life on perhaps... I see many things right with the manuscript of Capitalist nigger and I see some big loopholes too. But I think that was the point really for each individual to use the book as a guideline, not a manual and adapt it to their unique situation. Though one thing that did throw me for a sucker punch in the book is the axiom of non-aggression in Africans and almost refusal to protect ourselves. It throughs me for a loop, because I agree it's true historically, politically, socially almost in all spheres of human interaction the African has not learned or has refused to protect himself and his people. It's perplexing and as a young black person, I can't help but wonder why? And How do we young black people change that perception of us in the world and our perception as well.

But really it's a notable read for all young black people particularly those in business spheres of society in Africa and elsewhere.