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Our Two Societies
Our Two Societies takes the reader on a journey through a childhood spent in a deteriorating Detroit, Michigan and a young adult life spent in a vibrant Japan only to rediscover two societies in America.
The author uses his life as a platform to highlight self-imposed social and cultural barriers that hinder successful participation in a free market society and how these barriers will leave segments of our society devastatingly ill-prepared for a future heavily reliant on A.I. and Automation.
You'll feel as if you're right alongside the author as he encounters the ills and pitfalls awaiting him in one of these societies. You will also feel inspired as he embraces the possibilities awaiting him and everyone else in the other society.
If you are looking for a thought-provoking great story to read and then share look no further.
The author uses his life as a platform to highlight self-imposed social and cultural barriers that hinder successful participation in a free market society and how these barriers will leave segments of our society devastatingly ill-prepared for a future heavily reliant on A.I. and Automation.
You'll feel as if you're right alongside the author as he encounters the ills and pitfalls awaiting him in one of these societies. You will also feel inspired as he embraces the possibilities awaiting him and everyone else in the other society.
If you are looking for a thought-provoking great story to read and then share look no further.
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About the author
Andre Davis
4 books4 followersAmerica is still the land of opportunity for the opportunist, and its greatness lies in its free market society.
I was born in Detroit Michigan in the early 1970s. I grew up in one of Detroit Michigan’s worst neighborhoods and one of its best. I’ve lived the life of an urban American, a university student, an exchange student in Japan, an ex-pat in Japan, and a law student in Portland Oregon.
My experiences has lead me to conclude several things: America is great because of its Free Market Society; racism is real, but WE are all stronger than racism; a politician/social activist without a victim is unemployed; if you want to know about the history of early America, the antebellum south, or the reconstruction era, start with reading books written during those times.
Over a decade of being in the recruiting industry has led to serious concerns about the future of America’s workforce. These concerns have prompted the creation of my book Our Two Societies. Although this book covers some very serious topics, like racism and the necessity of skills in a free market society, it is a very approachable and fun read.
I was born in Detroit Michigan in the early 1970s. I grew up in one of Detroit Michigan’s worst neighborhoods and one of its best. I’ve lived the life of an urban American, a university student, an exchange student in Japan, an ex-pat in Japan, and a law student in Portland Oregon.
My experiences has lead me to conclude several things: America is great because of its Free Market Society; racism is real, but WE are all stronger than racism; a politician/social activist without a victim is unemployed; if you want to know about the history of early America, the antebellum south, or the reconstruction era, start with reading books written during those times.
Over a decade of being in the recruiting industry has led to serious concerns about the future of America’s workforce. These concerns have prompted the creation of my book Our Two Societies. Although this book covers some very serious topics, like racism and the necessity of skills in a free market society, it is a very approachable and fun read.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 30, 2019
I became aware of this book through a shared post on my book club group page, Words For The Soul, last summer. Once I read the synopsis, I immediately decided to put it on the 2019 reading list. So per usual, I'll give my synopsis of this book.
Our Two Societies brings to the forefront racial equality versus social equality and how it shaped the life of author, Andre Davis. He begins this journey from his childhood living in the projects in Detroit, MI all the way to adulthood living in Japan. Although he did not remain in the projects, he never loss connection with the moments there as he learned how to embrace the different energy he experienced in the University District in the very same city. Like so many single mothers, Andre's mother did what she believed to be the best move for the safety and success for her family. Everything he experienced in his life helped to shape and form the man he is today. While the central theme of the book is heavy, you'll have your fair share of laughs throughout.
Now what ultimately spoke to soul? Perspective. There are those who only view things from one perspective. This characteristic is not isolated to a particular race. Only after a reality check do you realize, perhaps I need to consider a different perspective outside of my own. Sometimes you are so focused on what's happened to you, you tend to disregard the person next to you may have a similar story to yours or even one worse. Also, understanding racism is definitely a problem in today's society but it's not the only problem. His concept of a Free Market Society sheds light on how you can lessen the effects of racism. How many times of late, have you heard something similar to "clout chasing"? According to Miriam-Webster Dictionary, clout is defined as pull or influence. People are looking to have clout or an appealing social status now more than ever in my opinion. Though this phrase, "clout chasing", isn't positive the concept actually makes sense. Social status matters.
Next, the effects of mental slavery. The simplest statement can create a mental slavery on the impressionable, those who can't see past the negative, those who accept what is now and not the future change. You have more control than you know on how you succeed or fail in society IF you make yourself marketable. Figure that out and even those most difficult situations won't seem that way. The last thing and perhaps most important to me is the fallacy of the statement, "you are the product of your environment". Davis introduces you to characters who "succumbed" to the environment they were in and others who still "chose" to participate in illegal or questionable activities despite being in an environment that could be envied by others. Accept responsibility for decisions you make and follow the path of success legitimately no matter your background.
The section "Before We Get Started" prepped me for the journey I was embarking on, leaving me with the thought this would be a powerful read. Andre Davis does not disappoint. This is a must read if you're looking to be enlightened about racism and just maybe have an open conversation about it.
As Always,
#HappyReading
Tracey Robinson
Words For The Soul Book Club
Our Two Societies brings to the forefront racial equality versus social equality and how it shaped the life of author, Andre Davis. He begins this journey from his childhood living in the projects in Detroit, MI all the way to adulthood living in Japan. Although he did not remain in the projects, he never loss connection with the moments there as he learned how to embrace the different energy he experienced in the University District in the very same city. Like so many single mothers, Andre's mother did what she believed to be the best move for the safety and success for her family. Everything he experienced in his life helped to shape and form the man he is today. While the central theme of the book is heavy, you'll have your fair share of laughs throughout.
Now what ultimately spoke to soul? Perspective. There are those who only view things from one perspective. This characteristic is not isolated to a particular race. Only after a reality check do you realize, perhaps I need to consider a different perspective outside of my own. Sometimes you are so focused on what's happened to you, you tend to disregard the person next to you may have a similar story to yours or even one worse. Also, understanding racism is definitely a problem in today's society but it's not the only problem. His concept of a Free Market Society sheds light on how you can lessen the effects of racism. How many times of late, have you heard something similar to "clout chasing"? According to Miriam-Webster Dictionary, clout is defined as pull or influence. People are looking to have clout or an appealing social status now more than ever in my opinion. Though this phrase, "clout chasing", isn't positive the concept actually makes sense. Social status matters.
Next, the effects of mental slavery. The simplest statement can create a mental slavery on the impressionable, those who can't see past the negative, those who accept what is now and not the future change. You have more control than you know on how you succeed or fail in society IF you make yourself marketable. Figure that out and even those most difficult situations won't seem that way. The last thing and perhaps most important to me is the fallacy of the statement, "you are the product of your environment". Davis introduces you to characters who "succumbed" to the environment they were in and others who still "chose" to participate in illegal or questionable activities despite being in an environment that could be envied by others. Accept responsibility for decisions you make and follow the path of success legitimately no matter your background.
The section "Before We Get Started" prepped me for the journey I was embarking on, leaving me with the thought this would be a powerful read. Andre Davis does not disappoint. This is a must read if you're looking to be enlightened about racism and just maybe have an open conversation about it.
As Always,
#HappyReading
Tracey Robinson
Words For The Soul Book Club
May 10, 2018
I first came across this author on Quora, and decided to purchase the book. I was not disappointed. The book follows the author's life. Growing up in Detroit in the projects which were at one time "cool" but degenerated into the hood. His mother managed to get them to a nice middle class neighborhood, and enrolled in a Catholic School. In a few short years, due to white flight, the new area was not much better than their previous location. Growing up during the age of "white flight" I had heard of the phenomenon, but this book made the concept personal. We follow Andre as he descended into the thug lifestyle, and as he worked hard to bring himself out of said lifestyle.
The story is inspirational, but more important, Mr. Davis analyzes American society (making a distinction between those who adhere to capitalist values and hold worth to be based on merit, and those who adhere to racist values, and hold worth to be based on race), he delineates between racial equality and social equality (the first of which can be legislated, the second of which has to be striven for by embracing values of hard work) and he warns that an overemphasis blaming everything on race can be counterproductive.
One of the most amazing moments he recounted was finding out a friend of his was in the Klan... his friend reassured him he wasn't a racist, but it was basically a friendship thing. This was a time when Andre had begun to pull himself in the right direction, albeit slowly, and was still torn between his friends, and his desires to improve himself. He had the insight that his friend was not all that different from himself.
I was impressed with the way Andre took responsibility for his success, and while he concedes racism is real, and will always be a problem, he came to learn that blaming racism for his problems would keep him from striving to succeed.
One thing I would have liked to hear would have been a more complete explanation of exactly how far America has come, in his view, on racism... and how much racism affects his life today. All in all I heartily recommend this book.
The story is inspirational, but more important, Mr. Davis analyzes American society (making a distinction between those who adhere to capitalist values and hold worth to be based on merit, and those who adhere to racist values, and hold worth to be based on race), he delineates between racial equality and social equality (the first of which can be legislated, the second of which has to be striven for by embracing values of hard work) and he warns that an overemphasis blaming everything on race can be counterproductive.
One of the most amazing moments he recounted was finding out a friend of his was in the Klan... his friend reassured him he wasn't a racist, but it was basically a friendship thing. This was a time when Andre had begun to pull himself in the right direction, albeit slowly, and was still torn between his friends, and his desires to improve himself. He had the insight that his friend was not all that different from himself.
I was impressed with the way Andre took responsibility for his success, and while he concedes racism is real, and will always be a problem, he came to learn that blaming racism for his problems would keep him from striving to succeed.
One thing I would have liked to hear would have been a more complete explanation of exactly how far America has come, in his view, on racism... and how much racism affects his life today. All in all I heartily recommend this book.
October 9, 2019
I'm the author of this book and so I have a very bias opinion of it. However, I believe the following review from a review with the OnlineBookClub provides a more objective opinion of the book.
"Racism is real but WE are all stronger than racism." -- OnlineBookClub.org
Official Review: Our Two Societies by Andre Davis
Andre Davis was born in Detroit, Michigan in the early 1970s. Our Two Societies is his story. In this autobiography, he tackles the ever-present topic of racism. While doing so, he discusses the importance of acquiring the skills needed in a free market society. It is within this free market society that Andre Davis believes America's greatness lies. Andre Davis was prompted to write this autobiography after developing concerns about the future of America's workforce. In his own words, "America is still the land of opportunity for opportunist[s]."
This book is emotional and gripping. There were occasions when I was near tears. Can you imagine being treated better in a foreign country than in your own homeland? As a minority, I am no stranger to racism, but I cannot pretend to know what our author was going through while growing up. I can only empathize, open my eyes and heart, and keep raising my children as loving and open-minded people.
The publication of this book is definitely timely. The reader is given insight into the racial and social inequalities of today's America. Although the subject can often be complex, this book is highly approachable. I had difficulty even putting it down.
As far as my recommendations go, I simply think everyone should read this book. Normally, I do not make such blanket recommendations. However, that is the impact this book has had on me. I think you should read it. After that, I think you should loan the book to family and friends.
Official Review: Our Two Societies by Andre Davis
Post Number:#1 by Christina Rose 31 Aug 2017, 01:44
"Racism is real but WE are all stronger than racism." -- OnlineBookClub.org
Official Review: Our Two Societies by Andre Davis
Andre Davis was born in Detroit, Michigan in the early 1970s. Our Two Societies is his story. In this autobiography, he tackles the ever-present topic of racism. While doing so, he discusses the importance of acquiring the skills needed in a free market society. It is within this free market society that Andre Davis believes America's greatness lies. Andre Davis was prompted to write this autobiography after developing concerns about the future of America's workforce. In his own words, "America is still the land of opportunity for opportunist[s]."
This book is emotional and gripping. There were occasions when I was near tears. Can you imagine being treated better in a foreign country than in your own homeland? As a minority, I am no stranger to racism, but I cannot pretend to know what our author was going through while growing up. I can only empathize, open my eyes and heart, and keep raising my children as loving and open-minded people.
The publication of this book is definitely timely. The reader is given insight into the racial and social inequalities of today's America. Although the subject can often be complex, this book is highly approachable. I had difficulty even putting it down.
As far as my recommendations go, I simply think everyone should read this book. Normally, I do not make such blanket recommendations. However, that is the impact this book has had on me. I think you should read it. After that, I think you should loan the book to family and friends.
Official Review: Our Two Societies by Andre Davis
Post Number:#1 by Christina Rose 31 Aug 2017, 01:44
October 30, 2017
Thought provoking and entertaining
My wife and I read this book together and it challenged my views on various issues, sparking a lot of conversation and debate. I enjoyed the story-telling and unique perspective of events at the impetus of the author’s world view. I laughed out loud a number of times, nodded in agreement and paused in thought when the authors views contradicted my own. This is a thoughtful, quality book from a fresh new author that’s definitely worth reading but I enjoyed the resulting conversations just as much.
My wife and I read this book together and it challenged my views on various issues, sparking a lot of conversation and debate. I enjoyed the story-telling and unique perspective of events at the impetus of the author’s world view. I laughed out loud a number of times, nodded in agreement and paused in thought when the authors views contradicted my own. This is a thoughtful, quality book from a fresh new author that’s definitely worth reading but I enjoyed the resulting conversations just as much.
October 29, 2017
Great read. The author draws upon his life experiences to demonstrate the two parallel societies that exist in the United States — the racist society and the free market society. You will laugh and cry as you learn about life in 1970s and 80s Detroit, and the impact growing up there had on his outlook on life. From childhood in Detroit to college and adulthood in Japan, we travel with the author as he forms his theory about existing and succeeding in two societies. Awesome read that you will not want to put down. Highly recommended!
March 19, 2018
We are proud to announce that OUR TWO SOCIETIES by Andre Davis is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews