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Black Men, Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?: The Afrikan American Family in Transition
Here is the seminal and critical work that helped solidify Haki Madhubuti as an informed, passionate, and caring commentator on Black life, culture, relationships, and the development and stability of the Black community. In ""Black Men,"" an integral text for anyone with vested interest in building healthy, thriving Black families and communities, Madhubuti takes aim at some of the critical issues facing the African American family. He offers useful, pointed, practical solutions for overcoming these obstacles and challenges.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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558 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 21, 2010
This is the book that started me on my road to transformations. Elder Haki Madhubuti's work is a must read for those who about serious change.
January 31, 2025
reading this confirmed that i’m a hotep. could have been 70 pages shorter but there’s definitely good stuff in here
October 31, 2011
This was a thought provoking and inspiring book. It was educational and entertaining. Every Black man and the women who love them should read this book.
April 8, 2015
I began this book at Howard University but never finished it. The author lays out a road map for Black male empowerment. There are chapters on parenting, relationships and faith among many others. The shooting of the unarmed Man in Charleston yesterday makes me want to read this again.
August 23, 2012
I read this book many years ago and it proves to be accurate. The American family is the last to be destroyed. A new form of Slavery right around the corner
Read
May 26, 2013blew my mind and woke me up
January 7, 2014
This book was different. It brought a new inside appearance of the Black man struggles.
I think all people should read. This book was for a women's study class in college.
I think all people should read. This book was for a women's study class in college.
Currently reading
November 30, 2010I would suggest this book to anyone
August 7, 2025
A BLACK AUTHOR SAYS “THINGS ARE NOT RIGHT IN THE BLACK WORLD”
Haki R. Madhubuti (born Don Luther Lee in 1942) is an African-American author, educator, poet, and publisher.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1991 book, “I wrote this book because I sensed a need in the United States for a new truth---a truth not based on false histories, false assumptions, false arguments or false realities… Ignorance about the state of Black people in America is appalling. However, what is even more appalling is that few people in the dominant culture even give a damn, and too many African American leaders have no idea how to improve the lives of their people.”
He acknowledges, “Young unwed Black girls who give birth are no longer the exception, and young Black fathers have no idea of the ‘destruction’ they bring forth with each of their seeds that matures to birth without proper nurturing.” (Pg. 4) He adds, “The most prevailing consciousness among Black people today is one of survival. And this survival is not of a collective nature, in which individuals, communities and institutes work together to solve problems. Black survival, especially in the urban areas, is… a ‘survival of the fittest’ attitude. Its proponents will use whatever means at their disposal to achieve their ends, regardless of the cost and pain to others.” (Pg. 6)
He states, “I get tired of reading each week or month in Ebony, Jet, and Black Enterprise about the latest Black millionaire, or the latest negro to close the multi-billion dollar deal for white people. I’ve had enough of reading and hearing about Reggie Jackson’s cars … Diana Ross’s houses (and marriages to white men).. Eddie Murphy’s parties… and Oprah Winfrey’s diet. Where are the serious rich among our people who are concerned about the vast majority of Black people---those who are poor, ignorant, and see no hope of advancement or improvement in their future?” (Pg. 19)
He asserts, “Things are not right in the Black world. Show me two progressive Afrikan nations, and I’ll show you ten that are an embarrassment to the memory of [Kwame] Nkrumah, [W.E.B.] Du Bois, and Queen An Nzinga. The political and economic status in most Afrikan nations borders on lunacy. Show me two conscious Black Studies departments, and I’ll show you five that are a joke.” (Pg. 25)
He interviews a Black police officer in Chicago, who told him, “I thought at first I’d meet a negative reaction, that people would say, ‘How can you do that?’ But the reaction that I get more often than not is, ‘We need more brothers like you on the force. We need people that think the way that you do because we’re certainly not going to get the service that the community is in bad need of from people who don’t have any interest in what happens to us….’ So, for the most part people in the community … were supportive… I work almost exclusively in the Black community. White boys don’t come through our community to commit crimes. In six years, I’ve arrested ten white people. The reality is that the crimes in our community are committed by Black people against Black people.” (Pg. 36-37)
He observes, “the impregnation of sisters adds ‘positively’ to the ‘reputation’ of young Black men. Of course, this has little to do with assuming responsibility for the children’s development and well-being. Young Black males’ attitude towards family and Black women today is such that familyhood is the lowest priority in their fight for survival. The most dominant characteristic of Black males’ non-caring attitude toward their community is the recent epidemic of Black on Black rape… [which] is without precedent in Black history and familyhood.” (Pg. 79)
He suggests, “Why are Black women, by and large, more responsible than we? (One reason is that many go through a birthing process….) Carrying a child for nine months… and actively rearing that child. Men… need to be a part of the whole birthing and parenting process.” (Pg. 90) Later, he adds, “Fathers MUST become involved in parenting. Men must form men’s groups to aid in the development of conscious young people.” (Pg. 109)
He argues, “I strongly suggest all marriages in the Afrikan American community be legalized according to the ‘laws’ of this land. These are a few reasons: 1) The license provides emotional security for women and children… 2) The license represents a government sanction… 3) The legalization of marriage forces partners to struggle with each other at a higher level when times are hard… 4) In cases where separation is necessary, brothers too will have legal claim on their children.” (Pg. 188)
He acknowledges, “Many Afrikan Americans still instruct their daughters not to marry men darker than they are. Those whom many Blacks call ‘Black-Black’ or ‘jet Black’ men, as well as dark-skinned women, are still back-seated and made to stand in the ‘shadow’ of light-skinned people.” (Pg. 264)
He concludes, “Do I think all white people are racist, evil, bad and corrupt? No, but those who are, are clearly in the majority and are the ones who hold power and determine the future of my children and my neighbors’ children.” (Pg. 269)
This book will be of keen interest to those seeking very perceptive African-American commentators.
Haki R. Madhubuti (born Don Luther Lee in 1942) is an African-American author, educator, poet, and publisher.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1991 book, “I wrote this book because I sensed a need in the United States for a new truth---a truth not based on false histories, false assumptions, false arguments or false realities… Ignorance about the state of Black people in America is appalling. However, what is even more appalling is that few people in the dominant culture even give a damn, and too many African American leaders have no idea how to improve the lives of their people.”
He acknowledges, “Young unwed Black girls who give birth are no longer the exception, and young Black fathers have no idea of the ‘destruction’ they bring forth with each of their seeds that matures to birth without proper nurturing.” (Pg. 4) He adds, “The most prevailing consciousness among Black people today is one of survival. And this survival is not of a collective nature, in which individuals, communities and institutes work together to solve problems. Black survival, especially in the urban areas, is… a ‘survival of the fittest’ attitude. Its proponents will use whatever means at their disposal to achieve their ends, regardless of the cost and pain to others.” (Pg. 6)
He states, “I get tired of reading each week or month in Ebony, Jet, and Black Enterprise about the latest Black millionaire, or the latest negro to close the multi-billion dollar deal for white people. I’ve had enough of reading and hearing about Reggie Jackson’s cars … Diana Ross’s houses (and marriages to white men).. Eddie Murphy’s parties… and Oprah Winfrey’s diet. Where are the serious rich among our people who are concerned about the vast majority of Black people---those who are poor, ignorant, and see no hope of advancement or improvement in their future?” (Pg. 19)
He asserts, “Things are not right in the Black world. Show me two progressive Afrikan nations, and I’ll show you ten that are an embarrassment to the memory of [Kwame] Nkrumah, [W.E.B.] Du Bois, and Queen An Nzinga. The political and economic status in most Afrikan nations borders on lunacy. Show me two conscious Black Studies departments, and I’ll show you five that are a joke.” (Pg. 25)
He interviews a Black police officer in Chicago, who told him, “I thought at first I’d meet a negative reaction, that people would say, ‘How can you do that?’ But the reaction that I get more often than not is, ‘We need more brothers like you on the force. We need people that think the way that you do because we’re certainly not going to get the service that the community is in bad need of from people who don’t have any interest in what happens to us….’ So, for the most part people in the community … were supportive… I work almost exclusively in the Black community. White boys don’t come through our community to commit crimes. In six years, I’ve arrested ten white people. The reality is that the crimes in our community are committed by Black people against Black people.” (Pg. 36-37)
He observes, “the impregnation of sisters adds ‘positively’ to the ‘reputation’ of young Black men. Of course, this has little to do with assuming responsibility for the children’s development and well-being. Young Black males’ attitude towards family and Black women today is such that familyhood is the lowest priority in their fight for survival. The most dominant characteristic of Black males’ non-caring attitude toward their community is the recent epidemic of Black on Black rape… [which] is without precedent in Black history and familyhood.” (Pg. 79)
He suggests, “Why are Black women, by and large, more responsible than we? (One reason is that many go through a birthing process….) Carrying a child for nine months… and actively rearing that child. Men… need to be a part of the whole birthing and parenting process.” (Pg. 90) Later, he adds, “Fathers MUST become involved in parenting. Men must form men’s groups to aid in the development of conscious young people.” (Pg. 109)
He argues, “I strongly suggest all marriages in the Afrikan American community be legalized according to the ‘laws’ of this land. These are a few reasons: 1) The license provides emotional security for women and children… 2) The license represents a government sanction… 3) The legalization of marriage forces partners to struggle with each other at a higher level when times are hard… 4) In cases where separation is necessary, brothers too will have legal claim on their children.” (Pg. 188)
He acknowledges, “Many Afrikan Americans still instruct their daughters not to marry men darker than they are. Those whom many Blacks call ‘Black-Black’ or ‘jet Black’ men, as well as dark-skinned women, are still back-seated and made to stand in the ‘shadow’ of light-skinned people.” (Pg. 264)
He concludes, “Do I think all white people are racist, evil, bad and corrupt? No, but those who are, are clearly in the majority and are the ones who hold power and determine the future of my children and my neighbors’ children.” (Pg. 269)
This book will be of keen interest to those seeking very perceptive African-American commentators.
September 6, 2018
A great examination of the Black male experience in America.
February 23, 2013
One of the best books ever. Ever.
December 22, 2014
excellent book. inspired me to be a more productive husband father and man.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews