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Race Rules: Navigating the Color Line
Dyson reveals the pernicious influence of racial thinking across the broad canvas of American social and cultural life, from the disjunction between how whites and blacks view the world, to the way perceptions of black masculinity thwart black leadership, to the politics of nostalgia that keeps us looking to an imaginary past rather than creating a positive future. Through painful examples drawn from within the black community - sexual conflict in the black church, the myth of the head Negro, relations between black men and women - he depicts our ongoing failure to break free of the rule of race. In a color-blind society, we can only see black and white, warns Dyson as he argues for color consciousness informed by history and shaped by hope. Provocative and compelling, Race Rules is the most important work to date from the hiphop intellectual who stands at the forefront of his generation of black public thinkers.
- GenresNonfictionRaceMemoir
Audio Cassette
First published October 17, 1996
4 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Michael Eric Dyson
82 books1,147 followersMichael Eric Dyson is an American academic, author, and radio host. He is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 17, 2019
Listened to abridged. It is a bit dated. But interesting. Make me want to read a Louis Farrakhan book.
February 10, 2021
Michael Eric Dyson ruminates on issues the AA community contend with. It is a great look at race relations circa late 90s.
He begins with the OJ Simpson trial. For Dyson, the trial put the tension between African Americans and the justice system in the public conscious of America. Dyson argues that OJ broke the rules of "surrogate whiteness" in the white public conscious. For him race is conflated with OJ's social status. That he had access to this safe whiteness made the racial woes of the day a safety net for him after losing his surrogate role. It is thus the white response to how AA took the OJ trial that merits critique in the book. For Dyson, the trial used race as a spectacle, conflated power with race, and allowed a previously safe, white friendly black man to use black suspicion of the justice system to sway AA conscious in his favor. He points to the "white rage" seen in letters Dyson received. And in the news towards the racially biased outcome of the trial. He argues that race context allows us to speak about events around race in a constructive manner that seeks to remove noise from conversations around race issues.
Michael E Dyson advances three ways of thinking about the color line
context - ways we view race , ways race has been normalized
pretext - ways race conversations came to take shape, history of race
subtext - the motive of a racialized narratives, use of race
Dyson then argues for black sexuality by highlighting the ways white Christianity normalized black inferiority and how slavery subjected the black body. For Dyson it is thus a wonder that the black church, rather black men would seek to reproduce the very same paradigms that shackled the black body. He uses this history of sexuality within the African American culture argues against homosexuality and hypocrisy of free sexual exploration. He strengthens this argument by arguing that white cartesian sexuality, as in sexuality being separate from the body and a lesser function, led to the culture of bodily inferiority practiced by slave owners. Dyson places the black church at the center of the black community and believes in the
He applies the same framework of context, pretext, subtext to hip hop. He details how the treatment of hip hop mirrors the emergence of rock, jazz, and R&B. Older blacks tend to believe that the younger ones have gone wild. They see hip hop as representative of this negative culture. The osmosis to white culture has made white parents concerned about the encroachment of urban black culture. Older blacks tend to also find it disrespectful and sees the youth as flawed beyond recompense. But "aesthetic alienation" of hip hop is a reinforcement of what black youth feel. In Dysons view, to miss this, is to perform the same alienation that mainstream white America has done to the urban black youth. That older blacks take this view also miss the same development of blues, soul, R&B, jazz, and rock all follow a radical tradition of merging political realities with sexual freedom and social reform. They also miss the positivity and "multiethnic...free form expression" present in rappers like the Zulu nation(J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Logic, JID, Reason...).
I should rewrite the previous paragraph to show this, but by now we can see Dyson methodology of engaging in race issues. Understand the context how hip hop is viewed. Understand the subtext of race around hip hop and black music in general. Understand how history can lend insight into how this developed.
Using this framework he finds himself able to push against the nihilism(I would argue solipsism) that he sees in Cornel West's ideologies. Nihilism for West is seen as a cause for moral ills rather than a result of the racism according to Dyson. Dyson believes the systemic destruction of black life has caused of this black nihilism(afro pessimism). Dyson also criticizes West's doctrine of love. For Dyson, it does not provide that material needs necessary to perform free love. He also calls West ideological in his values. West ideas of "cultural armor" black ancestors had to beat back hopelessness was comprised of strength no longer present. But Dyson highlights the success of black churches and black families as signs that West's ideas are more ideological than practical.
He then puts forth an idea of "juvinocracy". He says young men are the only man in the household and are out committing crime. While highlighting crack cocaine as a driver of the culture behind American juvinocrats he sees gun violence as the core issue. Dyson also sees this as an issue particular to American violence culture, gun culture, and crack culture. Lets note that he also mentions this trend globally. He argues that most crime is performed by young men. Instead of a nihilism at the heart of black individuals or a pathology of black behavior. This escapes racial moralization or social justification by noting the trend as a complex political, economical, moral, and social event. To combat the "juvinocracy"(A Clockwork Orange vibes) we need to radically reexamine the political economy of drugs and the social/political reform targeting these youth.
I'm kind of getting tired of writing this review so yeah
Next he contrast Colin Powell, assimilationist, with Minister Louis Farrakhan, separatist. Both represent wide takes on race by black leaders, but are well taught, argue for conservative morals, believe in hard work, and argue for black self reliance. Both even advocate for global black solidarity. Powell represents someone who has achieved some of the highest military honors in the world without making an issue of race. Powell is a supporter of democracy, and believes black Americans should participate in the US political system. He might've considered a presidential race had not his wife publicly announced her fears of the racist threats Powell received in the mail. For Dyson, this shows how black identity is too outside of American mainstream identity, and how assimilation attitudes hide the subtext of race.
" race loses its power to hold the trust or interest of those outside its rank. Why? Because black identity...is seen as particular and therefore limited. The transcendence or suppression of black identity becomes the condition for its survival."
Powell has revealed to us the context, pretext, and subtext of race used to forward a race neutral identity politics and some of its pitfalls. But if we look at Farrakhan, the other side of the coin as Dyson puts it, we get a more radical separatist approach that calls into question the rights of black gays, black woman, and Jews . Dyson also sees Farrakhan as a manipulator of the Malcolm visage to side against mainstream white America through fear. Farrakhan also plays pied piper by advocating his strictly black separatist roots that oppose X's. This allows him to use the power and memory of Malcolm against whites scared of black nationalism, while consolidating power in the Nation through the castigation of X.
The cozy relationship with Saddam Hussein is strange given Hussein's removal of Islamist policy to consolidate power. The lack of criticism he leveled to African nations, specifically Sudan(civil war, slavery), committing war crimes also cast suspicion on moral views. Farrakhan's "realized" or "blues" eschatology provides cosmic meaning to the suffering of blacks and is central to black identity. But Farrakhan's self proclaimed title of leader of black people call into question serious concerns on this matter most recently seen in radical AA traditions.
"Can a leader who has preached separatist dogma, unite a broad spectrum of black Americans in their quest for social justice. Can the head of an authoritarian, some have said fascist organization, that thrives on racial conspiracies', bizarre , gnostic beliefs, and religious charisma yield to the demands of a democratic constituency? Or to put it another way; do the virtues of race translation outweigh the obvious deficits of a leadership built on of race transcendence"
For Dyson, the million man march is the realization of Farrakhan's paternalism, and the Nations focus on the restoration of black masculinity. This vision is patriarchal and allows the devaluation of black woman through conservative values. But this patriarchy blinds feminist's to the needs black males have to provide for themselves. How to go about capturing social agency is a tough issue. But issues that harm black men harm black woman. Dyson sees the err of this thinking by noting this "simplistic" view of race that believe all that is to be done is for black men to be responsible. This offers NO consideration for misogyny, sexism, and patriarchy found in the black community. For Dyson, the MMM falls short of its goal in doing so, by making the event a male themed ritual for the manifestation of black morality.
What Dyson believes we need is neither race transcendence, nor race translation, but race transformation. This radical transformation is absolutely progressive. This transformation should question morals and values the left avoid, while highlighting the history of racism that does not permit race transcendence. This race transformation should find ally ship in oppressed causes nationally and globally. Here he cites Jesse Jackson, Laura W Murphy, Lisa Sullivan, Constance Rice, and Monifa Bandele as models for this transformative act of race.
More takes place, but I find this to be a fitting end.
Thoughts:
Race translation and the context, subtext, and pretext of viewing race are important. These culminate in his view of race transformation.
Question for today:
How do identity politics resemble authoritarian aspects of race consciousness found in Farrakhan's worldview?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YE8N...
He begins with the OJ Simpson trial. For Dyson, the trial put the tension between African Americans and the justice system in the public conscious of America. Dyson argues that OJ broke the rules of "surrogate whiteness" in the white public conscious. For him race is conflated with OJ's social status. That he had access to this safe whiteness made the racial woes of the day a safety net for him after losing his surrogate role. It is thus the white response to how AA took the OJ trial that merits critique in the book. For Dyson, the trial used race as a spectacle, conflated power with race, and allowed a previously safe, white friendly black man to use black suspicion of the justice system to sway AA conscious in his favor. He points to the "white rage" seen in letters Dyson received. And in the news towards the racially biased outcome of the trial. He argues that race context allows us to speak about events around race in a constructive manner that seeks to remove noise from conversations around race issues.
Michael E Dyson advances three ways of thinking about the color line
context - ways we view race , ways race has been normalized
pretext - ways race conversations came to take shape, history of race
subtext - the motive of a racialized narratives, use of race
Dyson then argues for black sexuality by highlighting the ways white Christianity normalized black inferiority and how slavery subjected the black body. For Dyson it is thus a wonder that the black church, rather black men would seek to reproduce the very same paradigms that shackled the black body. He uses this history of sexuality within the African American culture argues against homosexuality and hypocrisy of free sexual exploration. He strengthens this argument by arguing that white cartesian sexuality, as in sexuality being separate from the body and a lesser function, led to the culture of bodily inferiority practiced by slave owners. Dyson places the black church at the center of the black community and believes in the
He applies the same framework of context, pretext, subtext to hip hop. He details how the treatment of hip hop mirrors the emergence of rock, jazz, and R&B. Older blacks tend to believe that the younger ones have gone wild. They see hip hop as representative of this negative culture. The osmosis to white culture has made white parents concerned about the encroachment of urban black culture. Older blacks tend to also find it disrespectful and sees the youth as flawed beyond recompense. But "aesthetic alienation" of hip hop is a reinforcement of what black youth feel. In Dysons view, to miss this, is to perform the same alienation that mainstream white America has done to the urban black youth. That older blacks take this view also miss the same development of blues, soul, R&B, jazz, and rock all follow a radical tradition of merging political realities with sexual freedom and social reform. They also miss the positivity and "multiethnic...free form expression" present in rappers like the Zulu nation(J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Logic, JID, Reason...).
I should rewrite the previous paragraph to show this, but by now we can see Dyson methodology of engaging in race issues. Understand the context how hip hop is viewed. Understand the subtext of race around hip hop and black music in general. Understand how history can lend insight into how this developed.
Using this framework he finds himself able to push against the nihilism(I would argue solipsism) that he sees in Cornel West's ideologies. Nihilism for West is seen as a cause for moral ills rather than a result of the racism according to Dyson. Dyson believes the systemic destruction of black life has caused of this black nihilism(afro pessimism). Dyson also criticizes West's doctrine of love. For Dyson, it does not provide that material needs necessary to perform free love. He also calls West ideological in his values. West ideas of "cultural armor" black ancestors had to beat back hopelessness was comprised of strength no longer present. But Dyson highlights the success of black churches and black families as signs that West's ideas are more ideological than practical.
He then puts forth an idea of "juvinocracy". He says young men are the only man in the household and are out committing crime. While highlighting crack cocaine as a driver of the culture behind American juvinocrats he sees gun violence as the core issue. Dyson also sees this as an issue particular to American violence culture, gun culture, and crack culture. Lets note that he also mentions this trend globally. He argues that most crime is performed by young men. Instead of a nihilism at the heart of black individuals or a pathology of black behavior. This escapes racial moralization or social justification by noting the trend as a complex political, economical, moral, and social event. To combat the "juvinocracy"(A Clockwork Orange vibes) we need to radically reexamine the political economy of drugs and the social/political reform targeting these youth.
I'm kind of getting tired of writing this review so yeah
Next he contrast Colin Powell, assimilationist, with Minister Louis Farrakhan, separatist. Both represent wide takes on race by black leaders, but are well taught, argue for conservative morals, believe in hard work, and argue for black self reliance. Both even advocate for global black solidarity. Powell represents someone who has achieved some of the highest military honors in the world without making an issue of race. Powell is a supporter of democracy, and believes black Americans should participate in the US political system. He might've considered a presidential race had not his wife publicly announced her fears of the racist threats Powell received in the mail. For Dyson, this shows how black identity is too outside of American mainstream identity, and how assimilation attitudes hide the subtext of race.
" race loses its power to hold the trust or interest of those outside its rank. Why? Because black identity...is seen as particular and therefore limited. The transcendence or suppression of black identity becomes the condition for its survival."
Powell has revealed to us the context, pretext, and subtext of race used to forward a race neutral identity politics and some of its pitfalls. But if we look at Farrakhan, the other side of the coin as Dyson puts it, we get a more radical separatist approach that calls into question the rights of black gays, black woman, and Jews . Dyson also sees Farrakhan as a manipulator of the Malcolm visage to side against mainstream white America through fear. Farrakhan also plays pied piper by advocating his strictly black separatist roots that oppose X's. This allows him to use the power and memory of Malcolm against whites scared of black nationalism, while consolidating power in the Nation through the castigation of X.
The cozy relationship with Saddam Hussein is strange given Hussein's removal of Islamist policy to consolidate power. The lack of criticism he leveled to African nations, specifically Sudan(civil war, slavery), committing war crimes also cast suspicion on moral views. Farrakhan's "realized" or "blues" eschatology provides cosmic meaning to the suffering of blacks and is central to black identity. But Farrakhan's self proclaimed title of leader of black people call into question serious concerns on this matter most recently seen in radical AA traditions.
"Can a leader who has preached separatist dogma, unite a broad spectrum of black Americans in their quest for social justice. Can the head of an authoritarian, some have said fascist organization, that thrives on racial conspiracies', bizarre , gnostic beliefs, and religious charisma yield to the demands of a democratic constituency? Or to put it another way; do the virtues of race translation outweigh the obvious deficits of a leadership built on of race transcendence"
For Dyson, the million man march is the realization of Farrakhan's paternalism, and the Nations focus on the restoration of black masculinity. This vision is patriarchal and allows the devaluation of black woman through conservative values. But this patriarchy blinds feminist's to the needs black males have to provide for themselves. How to go about capturing social agency is a tough issue. But issues that harm black men harm black woman. Dyson sees the err of this thinking by noting this "simplistic" view of race that believe all that is to be done is for black men to be responsible. This offers NO consideration for misogyny, sexism, and patriarchy found in the black community. For Dyson, the MMM falls short of its goal in doing so, by making the event a male themed ritual for the manifestation of black morality.
What Dyson believes we need is neither race transcendence, nor race translation, but race transformation. This radical transformation is absolutely progressive. This transformation should question morals and values the left avoid, while highlighting the history of racism that does not permit race transcendence. This race transformation should find ally ship in oppressed causes nationally and globally. Here he cites Jesse Jackson, Laura W Murphy, Lisa Sullivan, Constance Rice, and Monifa Bandele as models for this transformative act of race.
More takes place, but I find this to be a fitting end.
Thoughts:
Race translation and the context, subtext, and pretext of viewing race are important. These culminate in his view of race transformation.
Question for today:
How do identity politics resemble authoritarian aspects of race consciousness found in Farrakhan's worldview?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YE8N...
April 3, 2021
There is so much for me to learn anew, see as part of my life, and intentionally consider as I move through my work and relationships. "Race Rules" addresses a time not so long ago which I lived but didn't consider fully. In 2021, these rules -- beginning with "Race + Rage = Ruin" -- need to be probed and addressed. I both read and listened to this Dyson's book over and again as I prepared for different discussions with others who lived that same time as black Americans. I was happy to be invited and also humbled as I listened. Read this and be willing to look into that proverbial social mirror. I'll have to consider that image as I prepare for the final discussion group. Certainly, this will be among the books I often return to read numerous times.
July 31, 2016
even though this book is twenty years old it is very much relevant today. Michael Eric Dyson is very intelligent and it is a fairly quick ready there were 3 or 4 days I didn't actually put that time to read it but had I read over those days I would have probably finished three days sooner. He uses a lot of "big" words... so many times you need a dictionary and it may be best read on an e-reader where you don't have to stop to get a dictionary to look up a word. This is the same complaint so t speak that I have for all of his books that I read (this is my third book).
March 1, 2015
It's just oh so dated! And it's a rant.
February 26, 2016
Incomprehensible.
March 4, 2018
Preach-y and not as progressive as I hoped. There were some great insights and thoughts to consider but it stops there.
September 18, 2020
Definitely dated and definitely a rant. I still like him though.
January 27, 2020
Written in 1997, the book cites racial examples from the O. J. Simpson trial to the Million Man March, Louis Farrakhan, Malxolm X, Elijah Mohhamed, Betty Shabbaz, Colin Powell, Jessee Jackson, and countless East and West Coast rappers and musicians.
He mentions many other black public intellectuals that I was not familiar with and other figures with whom I was unfamiliar. Much of his language was hard to understand: nihilism, antithetical, desultory.
He even invents words such as ethnosaurs, ethnitopia, and juvenocracy. Although he explains these concepts, he then intertwines them with unknown figures and difficult terminology. His analysis is sound, his research very in-depth, and coupled with examples and statistics, he makes compelling mini speeches about a variety of topics.
As an engineer, the call to action for me personally is missing/lacking and the book calls to light many things which are no surprise. He is a superb author but a bit obtuse and esoterical to be one of my favorites.
When finished...sold at Half Priced Books even though it had the author's original signature. Paperback.
He mentions many other black public intellectuals that I was not familiar with and other figures with whom I was unfamiliar. Much of his language was hard to understand: nihilism, antithetical, desultory.
He even invents words such as ethnosaurs, ethnitopia, and juvenocracy. Although he explains these concepts, he then intertwines them with unknown figures and difficult terminology. His analysis is sound, his research very in-depth, and coupled with examples and statistics, he makes compelling mini speeches about a variety of topics.
As an engineer, the call to action for me personally is missing/lacking and the book calls to light many things which are no surprise. He is a superb author but a bit obtuse and esoterical to be one of my favorites.
When finished...sold at Half Priced Books even though it had the author's original signature. Paperback.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2020
This book, written in the mid-90s gave some look back at some of the issues of race, class, gender & sexual orientation that we continue to struggle with. Basically a series of essays that explain not only the racial complexity of key events & issues of the 90s but also the class, gender & sexual orientation aspects at a time when America wanted not to think of them. Some of the key topics he describes include, unveiling the racial minefield unearthed by the OJ Simpson trial & acquittal, explaining the meaning of the Million Man March & attempting to both justify & reject it as he addresses Black women movement leaders stupefied by their exclusion, admonishing the sexism of the male-dominated Black Church (he is an ordained Baptist minister) & justifying the need for the development of theology on sex for the Black church, contrasting the different ways Colin Powell, Louis Farrakhan, & Jesse Jackson use race to further their ascent & benefit the Black masses.
February 16, 2022
I was introduced to Dr. Dyson when I saw him on BET in the early 2000s. I was immediately drawn to him because of his compassion and willingness to understand hip-hop music rather than disparaging it like most of his contemporaries chose to do. I'm ashamed that this is the first book I've read of his, but it's better to start late than never.
This is such a good book. Dr. Dyson humbly shares his thoughts and deep dives into virtually everything under the sun regarding race, to include the O.J. Simpson trial and the associated racial overtones, comparing and contrasting transforming and transcending race using Louis Farrakhan and Colin Powell as case studies, how the black church must amend its views toward homosexuality, and a moving speech that he said he would've shared at the 1995 Million Man March had he been given the opportunity to speak.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Dr. Dyson's books.
This is such a good book. Dr. Dyson humbly shares his thoughts and deep dives into virtually everything under the sun regarding race, to include the O.J. Simpson trial and the associated racial overtones, comparing and contrasting transforming and transcending race using Louis Farrakhan and Colin Powell as case studies, how the black church must amend its views toward homosexuality, and a moving speech that he said he would've shared at the 1995 Million Man March had he been given the opportunity to speak.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Dr. Dyson's books.
January 22, 2022
Fossilized to the 90s but Dyson always eloquently helps us navigate race. Chronicles the OJ Simpson trial, Powell, Jackson, Farrakhan and the million man March. I found his discussion about the role of the black church and it’s role religiously, socially, and politically in leading the way as the “headquarters” for justice among African Americans to be helpful. America has always been governed by the rules of race and we must understand the arbitrary category if we will ever speak prophetically to America and those that live in it. I’ve made it my business to read everything Dyson writes. Not my favorite of his but not bad.
December 21, 2020
Started out strong with a psychoanalysis of how slavery has manifested itself in present African-American mindsets both on the inside and outside followed by a dissection of the OJ episode. From there on, the book veered off-road into some strange territory with Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan and I was not sure what to make of all that.
Overall, had some strong points but more then enough swings and misses.
Overall, had some strong points but more then enough swings and misses.
April 6, 2021
Having been in elementary school when Dr. Dyson wrote Race Rules there was a lot of new information for me. I found this book to be a very interesting cultural look at race relations in the US in the 1990's. I'm very intrigued by Dyson's argument of a juvenocracy.
I did have a little confusion because I am reading another book about the color line and it is focused on the housing market. This book is a cultural look at leaders and current events of the 90's.
I did have a little confusion because I am reading another book about the color line and it is focused on the housing market. This book is a cultural look at leaders and current events of the 90's.
November 3, 2020
Written in the nineties, Dr. Dyson explains the unwritten racial rules that brought the downfall of OJ Simpson, the disparity between black citizens and the issue of intersectionality, and why women and pivotal to movements
of equality. Well worth the time of any white person to read to help them understand.
of equality. Well worth the time of any white person to read to help them understand.
November 17, 2020
I’ve always enjoyed MED’s voice: tone and content. So listening to this book was great. While the content was dated and would benefit from more recent examples, the truths he told ring true today. While, I’m no expert, I felt the stories he told and the points he made to be accurate and relevant to today’s racist environment.
February 23, 2021
I enjoyed listening to the Audible version read by Michael Eric Dyson.
It is sad how much he writes about has not changed. Still relevant perspective of race. His analysis of Colin Powell made me interested in how he would describe Obama's presidency and our country's reaction to his presidency.
It is sad how much he writes about has not changed. Still relevant perspective of race. His analysis of Colin Powell made me interested in how he would describe Obama's presidency and our country's reaction to his presidency.
April 8, 2023
I listened to the audiobook. Somehow I thought this was a recent book, but it dates back to the late 90s. Fine for its time, with some interesting insights on OJ Simpson and Colin Powell. But it is of its time. Read on race from the last ten years.
June 29, 2024
Offers a perspective in recent history I had not heard before. I was never aware of how impactful O.J. Simpson's trial was on society and interracial relations. I also had no idea there was a million man march.
November 7, 2018
A great examination of American racial politics.
February 13, 2021
A bit dated to read in 2021. I'm sure these were very new and important insights 20 years ago. I know he has written other books, and I look forward to reading his more recent work soon.
April 3, 2021
A little preachy for my taste, but the brother is from Detroit.
April 17, 2021
It was a good read, but I would have liked a deeper dive into some of the topics. All in all, the book pointed me to more things I wanted to learn about.
October 8, 2021
Why do I feel like I need to write a paper after having read an Michael Eric Dyson book and need a syllabus? It’s a bit dated but provided some sound insight
23/52
⭐️⭐️⭐️
23/52
⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 25, 2021
Knew I wouldn't agree with much in this book, just wanted to hear his views
November 4, 2021
Preachy
August 31, 2022
I would like to give it 3 or 4 stars. Mr. Dyson brings up some very important issues that very much need to be discussed. It is unfortunate that he can't recognize his own biases.
December 13, 2022
Another phenomenal book by Dr. Dyson
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews