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Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America—A Collection of Essays on Black Resilience and Survival
*A Zibby's Most Anticipated Book of 2023*
*A "Next Big Idea Club" Must-Read Book for January*
*An Essence "Books by Black Authors to Read This Winter" Pick?*
*An Ebony Entertainment "Required Reading" Book for January*
*A Lambda Literary "Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+ Literature" for January*
*A Southern Review of Books Best Book of January*
A piercing collection of essays on racial tension in America and the ongoing fight for visibility, change, and lasting hope
“There are stories that must be told.”
Acclaimed novelist and scholar Daniel Black has spent a career writing into the unspoken, fleshing out, through storytelling, pain that can’t be described.
Now, in his debut essay collection, Black gives voice to the experiences of those who often find themselves on the margins. Tackling topics ranging from police brutality to the AIDS crisis to the role of HBCUs to queer representation in the black church, Black on Black celebrates the resilience, fortitude, and survival of black people in a land where their body is always on display.
As Daniel Black reminds us, while hope may be slow in coming, it always arrives, and when it does, it delivers beyond the imagination. Propulsive, intimate, and achingly relevant, Black on Black is cultural criticism at its openhearted best.
*A "Next Big Idea Club" Must-Read Book for January*
*An Essence "Books by Black Authors to Read This Winter" Pick?*
*An Ebony Entertainment "Required Reading" Book for January*
*A Lambda Literary "Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+ Literature" for January*
*A Southern Review of Books Best Book of January*
A piercing collection of essays on racial tension in America and the ongoing fight for visibility, change, and lasting hope
“There are stories that must be told.”
Acclaimed novelist and scholar Daniel Black has spent a career writing into the unspoken, fleshing out, through storytelling, pain that can’t be described.
Now, in his debut essay collection, Black gives voice to the experiences of those who often find themselves on the margins. Tackling topics ranging from police brutality to the AIDS crisis to the role of HBCUs to queer representation in the black church, Black on Black celebrates the resilience, fortitude, and survival of black people in a land where their body is always on display.
As Daniel Black reminds us, while hope may be slow in coming, it always arrives, and when it does, it delivers beyond the imagination. Propulsive, intimate, and achingly relevant, Black on Black is cultural criticism at its openhearted best.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2023
111 people are currently reading
4792 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Black
12 books1,378 followersDaniel Black is a native of Kansas City, Kansas, yet spent the majority of his childhood years in Blackwell, Arkansas. He is an associate professor at his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, where he now aims to provide an example to young Americans of the importance of self-knowledge and communal commitment. He is the author of "They Tell Me of a Home" and "The Sacred Place".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 30, 2023
Absolutely brilliant opening! This is an absolute must read. Daniel Black was a guest on Zibby Owens' podcast (Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books) and after hearing the opening passage read aloud, I was in awe: spellbound. I listened to him talk a bit about his life, about the contents of the essays in this memoir. Five minutes after listening to his interview, I ordered this book. I'm so grateful that I did.
I won't pretend to fathom what it's like to be a gay, Black man in America. However, as someone who has Black family members and many Black friends, I have seen how differently my loved ones are often treated (not in a positive way). I'm also well aware of the privilege that comes with the color of my skin: money or no money, it's not up for debate.
As a kid, I remember having a teacher in school talk about white people veering away from discussing systemic racism, thinking that in their (our) silence, there wasn't any compliance with the wrongdoing happening in this country for eons. "It's as if we're trying to cover up the sky with our hands," he said, "But no one can cover up the sky with a hand. We want to pretend that individually, our voices don't make a difference. We want to make it justifiable in our own warped minds, that it's okay to do nothing, say nothing, look away."
I will admit that memoirs aren't always my reading go-to, for the selfish reason that like many readers, many times I choose fiction so as to escape the 24/7 reality of bad news we're all bombarded with on a daily basis. Still, I have tried to read and learn as much as I can about systemic racism, homophobia, sexism, classism-- because how else can I effectively be part of the solution? How else can I base my service work and activism in something concrete? I'm well aware it isn't the responsibility of anyone else to teach me how to act, respond, or amend my own thoughts and behaviors. That responsibility lies with me alone.
So when books like this come along, I jump at the chance to read them. Daniel's voice in his writing is commanding and brilliant. He knows how to hold the attention of any reader. There is no "holier than thou" attitude in this collection of essays, rather a want, a NEED to let us have a good look at his experience as a gay, Black man.
Readers of Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Ralph Ellison - you'll love this. Honestly, I'd recommend this for anyone, of any race, and any socio-economic background. It's a tour-de-force.
Thank you to Zibby Owens for introducing me to this brilliant author. It's a helluva great book. ~ 4.5 stars
💙
I won't pretend to fathom what it's like to be a gay, Black man in America. However, as someone who has Black family members and many Black friends, I have seen how differently my loved ones are often treated (not in a positive way). I'm also well aware of the privilege that comes with the color of my skin: money or no money, it's not up for debate.
As a kid, I remember having a teacher in school talk about white people veering away from discussing systemic racism, thinking that in their (our) silence, there wasn't any compliance with the wrongdoing happening in this country for eons. "It's as if we're trying to cover up the sky with our hands," he said, "But no one can cover up the sky with a hand. We want to pretend that individually, our voices don't make a difference. We want to make it justifiable in our own warped minds, that it's okay to do nothing, say nothing, look away."
I will admit that memoirs aren't always my reading go-to, for the selfish reason that like many readers, many times I choose fiction so as to escape the 24/7 reality of bad news we're all bombarded with on a daily basis. Still, I have tried to read and learn as much as I can about systemic racism, homophobia, sexism, classism-- because how else can I effectively be part of the solution? How else can I base my service work and activism in something concrete? I'm well aware it isn't the responsibility of anyone else to teach me how to act, respond, or amend my own thoughts and behaviors. That responsibility lies with me alone.
So when books like this come along, I jump at the chance to read them. Daniel's voice in his writing is commanding and brilliant. He knows how to hold the attention of any reader. There is no "holier than thou" attitude in this collection of essays, rather a want, a NEED to let us have a good look at his experience as a gay, Black man.
Readers of Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Ralph Ellison - you'll love this. Honestly, I'd recommend this for anyone, of any race, and any socio-economic background. It's a tour-de-force.
Thank you to Zibby Owens for introducing me to this brilliant author. It's a helluva great book. ~ 4.5 stars
💙
December 23, 2022
Daniel Black showcases his own brilliance in this masterful collection of essays that examine multiple facets of American Blackness. He’s a scholar, an educator, and a writer (among other titles and talents). These pieces contain observations from a life fully-lived buffeted by constructive critiques and actionable suggestions that are obviously well-researched and presented in an almost conversational tone delivered with heartfelt concern for his people and all of humanity.
He unpacks a LOT within this relatively condensed offering. Some essays featured commentary on popular topics:
• Black Beauty is covered in Black, But Not Beautiful which is a call to redefine beauty standards to embrace self-love and respect.
• Black Media (Movies, Music, and Television): Harriett’s Chariot examines African Spiritualism as depicted in the 2019 movie Harriet directed by Kasi Lemmons, The Power of Pose examines the importance of representation and the impact of the television series, Pose.
• The plight of the Black Church is examined in Prayer Won’t Fix This.
• The empowering nature and crippling principles of HBCUs are the subject of Beauties and Struggles of HBCUs.
• Social Commentary relating to LBGTQAI+ struggles and challenges (and its impact to the larger communities) are covered in Dying to Be Loved (HIV/AIDS concerns when partnering/dating) and Nowhere To Hide touches on “closeted” members of the lettered community.
• The desire for social desegregation and failure of integration is discussed in Integration.
I highlighted so many passages for research and noted poignant points – almost all the essays contained personal reflections from his rural Southern childhood and time as an undergraduate at Clark U.and as a graduate student at Temple U.
Well Done!
Thanks to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
He unpacks a LOT within this relatively condensed offering. Some essays featured commentary on popular topics:
• Black Beauty is covered in Black, But Not Beautiful which is a call to redefine beauty standards to embrace self-love and respect.
• Black Media (Movies, Music, and Television): Harriett’s Chariot examines African Spiritualism as depicted in the 2019 movie Harriet directed by Kasi Lemmons, The Power of Pose examines the importance of representation and the impact of the television series, Pose.
• The plight of the Black Church is examined in Prayer Won’t Fix This.
• The empowering nature and crippling principles of HBCUs are the subject of Beauties and Struggles of HBCUs.
• Social Commentary relating to LBGTQAI+ struggles and challenges (and its impact to the larger communities) are covered in Dying to Be Loved (HIV/AIDS concerns when partnering/dating) and Nowhere To Hide touches on “closeted” members of the lettered community.
• The desire for social desegregation and failure of integration is discussed in Integration.
I highlighted so many passages for research and noted poignant points – almost all the essays contained personal reflections from his rural Southern childhood and time as an undergraduate at Clark U.and as a graduate student at Temple U.
Well Done!
Thanks to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
September 26, 2023
The central conceit of the book seems to be that the Black community should not seek to emulate white institutions and seek excellence in their own selves, communities, and change the world with their own self image. Good reflection on such things.
April 21, 2024
I didn't agree with everything in this book, but it definitely makes you think about a lot.
March 17, 2025
Black on Black by Dr. Black (love the play on words) is a powerful collection of essays that reflects his deep sense of Black pride, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. He challenges us to rethink prevalent issues in our communities—our collective Black history in America, education, health, sexuality, pop culture, and more. Throughout the book, he consistently emphasizes Black agency, urging us to take ownership of the matters that shape our lives.
Even if you don’t always agree with his perspectives, his arguments push you to think critically and consider multiple viewpoints. While his primary focus is on the Black experience, his insights resonate far beyond, touching on broader societal issues that affect us all, particularly in the U.S. What makes his work especially compelling is his ability to amplify the voices of communities that often feel unseen—not just on a surface level, but in a profoundly meaningful way.
I only wish I could sit in on his classes at Clark Atlanta; his ability to articulate the complexities of the Black experience is a rare gift. His writing is both poetic and urgent, striking a balance between celebrating Blackness and addressing the challenges we face. This collection is an essential read for those who seek to engage with critical discussions about identity, power, and the future of our communities.
Even if you don’t always agree with his perspectives, his arguments push you to think critically and consider multiple viewpoints. While his primary focus is on the Black experience, his insights resonate far beyond, touching on broader societal issues that affect us all, particularly in the U.S. What makes his work especially compelling is his ability to amplify the voices of communities that often feel unseen—not just on a surface level, but in a profoundly meaningful way.
I only wish I could sit in on his classes at Clark Atlanta; his ability to articulate the complexities of the Black experience is a rare gift. His writing is both poetic and urgent, striking a balance between celebrating Blackness and addressing the challenges we face. This collection is an essential read for those who seek to engage with critical discussions about identity, power, and the future of our communities.
April 26, 2024
A masterpiece. Slept on. Read this. It’s really genius
February 24, 2023
Important and impactful book on the Black experience.
June 24, 2024
I feel like my opinions on this book aren’t really valid cuz I’m a white person, but it’s 100% worth the read!!!
January 16, 2024
rtc once I get my Wi-Fi back
June 5, 2023
Daniel Black gives us/Black Americans much to think about with regards to how we view ourselves and why. He’s made important points about what we lost in integration, the black church and homophobia, black self-hatred and more. There are things I don’t agree with (i.e. naming our children) but he certainly calls us out on some of our behavior.
February 22, 2023
Thank you Goodreads for suggesting this for Black History Month.
Insightful and eye-opening, several of the essays should be compulsory reading for American students.
The essay on Black beauty discussed some of the issues we all know about, like how POC are only considered beautiful if they have European characteristics, but also how the internalised belief that you can't be beautiful with African characteristics ruins your self asteem and shape your actions and even society because it is so widespread. How white is good and black is bad as visual clues in books and movies is subconsciously perpetuating racism.
As a white non-American, I of course have absolutely no right to comment on Black use of the N-word. Black however puts in to words why I've found it uncomfortable to hear. I won't go further into it, he says it best (and it's not my place).
I wish I'd watched the movie Harriet before reading this, Black gives an excellent analysis of this and the series Vogue. But then again, maybe it will just give me a deeper appreciation while watching.
As a Black queer who's lived through the 80's and 90's, Dr. Black brings first hand experiences and history into perspective by showing the humanity behind the disaster. A gut wrenching explanation as to why the queer society was the ultimate breeding ground for the virus. Again, I will not go into it, as it's just much better you hear it from him.
In conclusion: Read this book. No matter your nationality or ethnicity.
Insightful and eye-opening, several of the essays should be compulsory reading for American students.
The essay on Black beauty discussed some of the issues we all know about, like how POC are only considered beautiful if they have European characteristics, but also how the internalised belief that you can't be beautiful with African characteristics ruins your self asteem and shape your actions and even society because it is so widespread. How white is good and black is bad as visual clues in books and movies is subconsciously perpetuating racism.
As a white non-American, I of course have absolutely no right to comment on Black use of the N-word. Black however puts in to words why I've found it uncomfortable to hear. I won't go further into it, he says it best (and it's not my place).
I wish I'd watched the movie Harriet before reading this, Black gives an excellent analysis of this and the series Vogue. But then again, maybe it will just give me a deeper appreciation while watching.
As a Black queer who's lived through the 80's and 90's, Dr. Black brings first hand experiences and history into perspective by showing the humanity behind the disaster. A gut wrenching explanation as to why the queer society was the ultimate breeding ground for the virus. Again, I will not go into it, as it's just much better you hear it from him.
In conclusion: Read this book. No matter your nationality or ethnicity.
March 24, 2025
I just finished Black's essay collection, although I don't agree with his full perspective, much of it aligns with my own thoughts. He's has way of weaving together history, personal experience, and the current racial climate in a way that feels both insightful and human.
It's a collection of essays in the form of a conversation. He's exploring the complexities of Blackness, but he's also celebrating the richness and resilience of Black culture. There are moments that are challenging, where he doesn't shy away from the hard truths, but it's always done with a sense of genuine concern and a real desire for change.
Dr. Black balances critique with hope, calling for a shift in how we see ourselves, especially within the Black community. He offers a reminder of our strength and potential. It's thoughtful, powerful, and worth reading if you're looking for something that will move your thought process beyond surface level.
It's a collection of essays in the form of a conversation. He's exploring the complexities of Blackness, but he's also celebrating the richness and resilience of Black culture. There are moments that are challenging, where he doesn't shy away from the hard truths, but it's always done with a sense of genuine concern and a real desire for change.
Dr. Black balances critique with hope, calling for a shift in how we see ourselves, especially within the Black community. He offers a reminder of our strength and potential. It's thoughtful, powerful, and worth reading if you're looking for something that will move your thought process beyond surface level.
January 19, 2025
Daniel Black I love you sm. I loved this it was informative and confrontational and endearing and sweet and real and authentic. Every chapter was different but strong and elicited a really strong emotion. I really liked the way Black addressed a lot of the hypocrisies in the Black community and addressed a lot of internalized Black hate fueling White Supremacy. It was also pretty strongly queer and intersectional which was great.
Loved and listened to it and highly recommend and I’d love to read it again.
Loved and listened to it and highly recommend and I’d love to read it again.
August 13, 2023
Great read. Opened my eyes to many things I hadn’t considered before. Daniel Black is a beautiful writer and I highly enjoyed reading this collection of essays on different topics regarding black experience and excellence.
January 31, 2023
Dr. Daniel Black does it again! In this brilliant collection of essays, Dr. Black provides us with a critical exploration of the past, present, and potential future of Blackness as it relates to key sectors of Black life: identity formation, the church, education, gender and sexuality formation, cultural politics, the creative arts and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the parts of the book that speak to Dr. Black's own journey of becoming. He writes about the first time he was asked to memorize and present a speech at church which unlocked his gift as an orator and the ways his grandmother cultivated his spirit of authenticity.
As someone who has taught at Clark Atlanta University for over 30 years, I enjoyed his perspective on the state of HBCU's and how historically black colleges and universities are both safe spaces for Black students and not doing enough to center the unique educational needs they have. There is a brilliant deconstruction of the ways integration insulted the worth and value of black social institutions. There is so much power jam packed into this collection. Whether you are a reader of Dr. Black or not, this collection is a worthwhile introduction to his body of work and Black thought.
Every time I interact with Dr. Black's work I am changed in some way and more connected to the ancestors. Out of many of my favorite quotes this one resonates deeply:
"Shirley Chisholm ran for president in the 1970s because she believed she could lead the nation- whether others agreed or not. These ancestors knew something about themselves, their people, that didn't require white authorization."
Thank you Dr. Black for committing your life's work to reminding us about ourselves as a people. Bravo!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
As someone who has taught at Clark Atlanta University for over 30 years, I enjoyed his perspective on the state of HBCU's and how historically black colleges and universities are both safe spaces for Black students and not doing enough to center the unique educational needs they have. There is a brilliant deconstruction of the ways integration insulted the worth and value of black social institutions. There is so much power jam packed into this collection. Whether you are a reader of Dr. Black or not, this collection is a worthwhile introduction to his body of work and Black thought.
Every time I interact with Dr. Black's work I am changed in some way and more connected to the ancestors. Out of many of my favorite quotes this one resonates deeply:
"Shirley Chisholm ran for president in the 1970s because she believed she could lead the nation- whether others agreed or not. These ancestors knew something about themselves, their people, that didn't require white authorization."
Thank you Dr. Black for committing your life's work to reminding us about ourselves as a people. Bravo!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
Read
January 30, 2023Thanks to Hanover Square Press for the copy of this ARC.
I knew I needed to read this after loving Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black. He is such a fantastic writer, and in Black on Black, he delivers truth, wisdom, experience, and emotion in a collection of essays on Black resilience and brilliance. Daniel covers so many relevant topics: HBCUs and academic standards, beauty standards, the role of the Black church, HIV/AIDS, being closeted as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, integration, and police violence. I really appreciated Daniel's perspective - it's one that I personally need to hear and listen to - and I love the way he brings heartfelt words onto the page to drive home the facts that he also presents. Highly recommend picking up any/all of his works.
I knew I needed to read this after loving Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black. He is such a fantastic writer, and in Black on Black, he delivers truth, wisdom, experience, and emotion in a collection of essays on Black resilience and brilliance. Daniel covers so many relevant topics: HBCUs and academic standards, beauty standards, the role of the Black church, HIV/AIDS, being closeted as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, integration, and police violence. I really appreciated Daniel's perspective - it's one that I personally need to hear and listen to - and I love the way he brings heartfelt words onto the page to drive home the facts that he also presents. Highly recommend picking up any/all of his works.
April 24, 2024
"Black on Black" by Daniel Black is an extraordinary masterpiece that captivates the reader from the very first page. With his impeccable storytelling skills, Black takes us on a journey through the complexities of the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and identity.
The writing style of "Black on Black" is poetic and evocative, painting vivid images in the reader's mind. Black's prose is both lyrical and raw, capturing the essence of the story with every word. The book is a testament to Black's talent as a writer, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotions and thought-provoking ideas.
One of the most remarkable aspects of "Black on Black" is its exploration of race and identity. Black fearlessly tackles these sensitive topics, shedding light on the complexities and nuances that exist within the Black community. Through his characters, he challenges societal norms and invites readers to question their own biases and preconceptions.
The pacing of this book is perfect, allowing for moments of reflection and introspection while maintaining a constant sense of momentum.
“Black on Black" is a literary masterpiece that deserves all the praise. Daniel Black's exquisite storytelling, captivating characters, and thought-provoking themes make this book a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and emotionally resonant reading experience.
The writing style of "Black on Black" is poetic and evocative, painting vivid images in the reader's mind. Black's prose is both lyrical and raw, capturing the essence of the story with every word. The book is a testament to Black's talent as a writer, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotions and thought-provoking ideas.
One of the most remarkable aspects of "Black on Black" is its exploration of race and identity. Black fearlessly tackles these sensitive topics, shedding light on the complexities and nuances that exist within the Black community. Through his characters, he challenges societal norms and invites readers to question their own biases and preconceptions.
The pacing of this book is perfect, allowing for moments of reflection and introspection while maintaining a constant sense of momentum.
“Black on Black" is a literary masterpiece that deserves all the praise. Daniel Black's exquisite storytelling, captivating characters, and thought-provoking themes make this book a must-read for anyone seeking a profound and emotionally resonant reading experience.
March 24, 2023
This is a well written and thought provoking message that needs to be heard; especially by the faith community in America that has been slow, resistant, or flat out unwilling to regard all people as God’s creation rather than merely those who look, act, think, talk, believe and vote the way they do. Highly recommend this one.
July 29, 2023
Strong and unique voice, very insightful
March 7, 2023
Great essays of POV I wasn't familiar with. I can't disagree with them as they are the author's experiences. I did find myself nodding my head in agreement, too.
May 29, 2025
Incredibly powerful voice and a powerful message. Insightful and reflective, and stopped me in my tracks a few times.
June 10, 2023
4.25 stars
October 4, 2024
This was an interesting read. The it ended on a hopeful note with the last essay but the journey was ROUGH. There were moments where I could understand and empathize and times where the logic seemed outdated and rooted in a determination to misunderstand. While I understand that all the essays are from one person’s perspective, often wondered if Black’s lens was too narrow. There was one glaring factual error. The police were not looking into Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend Kenneth Walker. They were investigating her former partner Jamarcus Glover. While journalism may not be Black’s strong suit, this is an important detail that should have been vetted before publishing. Additionally, I take issue with his assumption that two trailblazing women in hip-hop are not sexually liberated based on his definition. On principle I take issue with any man, queer or otherwise, commenting on a woman’s sexuality. Then there are the assumptions of African descendants seeking European validation through the naming of children or the acquiring of beautiful things not steeped in African tradition. I do not need a PhD or years of studying the diaspora to explain the flaws in this logic. I would not call this text required reading, certainly not if you want to try and understand Blackness on any level. These musings are better suited for the late 80s and early 90s when newer generation had not already come in to dispel the myths some of these words continue to perpetuate.
March 2, 2023
There were a few things Black said that felt like a complete stretch but they were all padded by points that I thought were great so I cut my eye rolling short.
He completely lost me once he started his extended recap of the Harriet Tubman movie and never caught my interest again.
He completely lost me once he started his extended recap of the Harriet Tubman movie and never caught my interest again.
April 27, 2024
dnf, read don’t cry for me and absolutely loved it so i wanted to read more of his stuff. daniel is a great writer but when it came to what he had to say about the Bible and Jesus, i didn’t feel comfortable reading on.
March 20, 2023
Daniel Black is a gay black professor who has taught at an historically black college for 30 years, and in this collection of essays writes about a variety of topics from a perspective explicitly and constantly informed by that identity and his life experiences. At his core, Black is a cultural traditionalist, not about sexual orientation or gender identity, but about the virtue of high-quality work, the imperfectability of human nature, and the importance of faith and faith institutions. He has an essentially nationalist view of racial identity. I found the collection uneven, but worth reading for his challenging insights. The book doesn’t indicate whether some or all of these essays were published in other places, but some of them felt very occasion-specific and might be more convincing if presented with that context.
The essay I found least effective is ‘The Trial and Massacre of the Black Body’, which reviews a litany of examples of oppression and murder of black people throughout Anerican history. The facts aren’t wrong, but there’s no new insights in this essay; this theme has been done better by other recent authors.
In contrast, ‘Prayer Won’t Fix This: What to Do With the Black Church’ is arresting and complicated, a love letter to and sharp critique of America’s theologically and culturally conservative black churches. Black argues that black America needs the churches to survive, but that they won’t survive unless they root out patriarchy and other forms of self-hatred. Black underpins his argument with searing stories about growing up as a gay young man with stereotypically femme mannerisms and interests. He also recounts a story of a pregnant teen in his church required to apologize in front of the congregation.
‘Dying to be Loved’ and ‘Nowhere to Hide (or The Dream of the Closet)’ address gay black sexuality and identity. The first is almost entirely impersonal; it makes a provocative but plausible case that rates of HIV are disproportionately high among young gay black men because they are willfully avoiding protective measures as an expression of an uncompromising desire to be fully loved and connected in a society that denies their worth. The second is perhaps the most personal of the essays in the book, recounting Black’s coming-of-age as an obviously gay young man. I’ve read other memoirs by gay men, but (as I recall) they all had the option of passing as straight when they wanted to.
I thought the most provocative piece in the book is ‘Integration: A Failed Experiment’, which argues that black communities in America have given up more than they’ve gained through integration. Black’s essentialist view of racial identity comes through strongest in this essay, which laments the loss of independent small black-owned businesses, black-owned farms, and black community schools in the wake of integration. Black makes the point that, once whites and blacks were free to shop and study anywhere, everybody sought out white businesses and institutions to patronize, internalizing the false and destructive sense that black alternatives were inferior. He’s not really offering a counterfactual (ie, what black leaders could have done differently that would have been more effective than pursuing integration), and I don’t ultimately think parallel cultural and economic lives are sustainable without an eventual breakdown into communal violence. I am myself a firm believer in the liberal project of multicultural democracy, not merely because I think every alternative would be worse for the United States, but also because I think it makes life inherently more fulfilling and more free. But since the failure of black nationalism in the 1970s, it’s been rare to see serious thinkers arguing from Black’s perspective. It makes some sense that this view is coming from scholar how has spent three decades teaching at an HBCU; that’s got to be one of the few places where nationalism still feels like a viable concept. I find myself more convinced by the nuanced economic strategies outlined by Andre Perry for building up black communities through investment in black-owned businesses; Perry understands how the globalized economy works and seeks to harness it for more equitable outcomes for black Americans, rather than imagining it can be turned off.
The essay I found least effective is ‘The Trial and Massacre of the Black Body’, which reviews a litany of examples of oppression and murder of black people throughout Anerican history. The facts aren’t wrong, but there’s no new insights in this essay; this theme has been done better by other recent authors.
In contrast, ‘Prayer Won’t Fix This: What to Do With the Black Church’ is arresting and complicated, a love letter to and sharp critique of America’s theologically and culturally conservative black churches. Black argues that black America needs the churches to survive, but that they won’t survive unless they root out patriarchy and other forms of self-hatred. Black underpins his argument with searing stories about growing up as a gay young man with stereotypically femme mannerisms and interests. He also recounts a story of a pregnant teen in his church required to apologize in front of the congregation.
‘Dying to be Loved’ and ‘Nowhere to Hide (or The Dream of the Closet)’ address gay black sexuality and identity. The first is almost entirely impersonal; it makes a provocative but plausible case that rates of HIV are disproportionately high among young gay black men because they are willfully avoiding protective measures as an expression of an uncompromising desire to be fully loved and connected in a society that denies their worth. The second is perhaps the most personal of the essays in the book, recounting Black’s coming-of-age as an obviously gay young man. I’ve read other memoirs by gay men, but (as I recall) they all had the option of passing as straight when they wanted to.
I thought the most provocative piece in the book is ‘Integration: A Failed Experiment’, which argues that black communities in America have given up more than they’ve gained through integration. Black’s essentialist view of racial identity comes through strongest in this essay, which laments the loss of independent small black-owned businesses, black-owned farms, and black community schools in the wake of integration. Black makes the point that, once whites and blacks were free to shop and study anywhere, everybody sought out white businesses and institutions to patronize, internalizing the false and destructive sense that black alternatives were inferior. He’s not really offering a counterfactual (ie, what black leaders could have done differently that would have been more effective than pursuing integration), and I don’t ultimately think parallel cultural and economic lives are sustainable without an eventual breakdown into communal violence. I am myself a firm believer in the liberal project of multicultural democracy, not merely because I think every alternative would be worse for the United States, but also because I think it makes life inherently more fulfilling and more free. But since the failure of black nationalism in the 1970s, it’s been rare to see serious thinkers arguing from Black’s perspective. It makes some sense that this view is coming from scholar how has spent three decades teaching at an HBCU; that’s got to be one of the few places where nationalism still feels like a viable concept. I find myself more convinced by the nuanced economic strategies outlined by Andre Perry for building up black communities through investment in black-owned businesses; Perry understands how the globalized economy works and seeks to harness it for more equitable outcomes for black Americans, rather than imagining it can be turned off.
Read
February 25, 2025idk I give up, this book isn’t for me as the target audience nor for me as far as style. Conflicting feelings on rating, I’ll decide later when I’m less hungry/annoyed but I DNF’d at 36% so 🤷♀️
I wanted to learn from this and some of my highlights were things I learned, but a lot of the annotating was because I was frustrated at the style/at the author’s assumption that he is right because he is god and can therefore speak on behalf of everyone (I feel like that sounds like an exaggeration but he does say he is god and we are all gods at several points soooo)
Major problem—author said the cops went to Breonna Taylor’s house looking for her “criminal boyfriend” Walker. False. They were looking for a former boyfriend. This is very easy to google. As far as I’ve seen Walker wasn’t a criminal, the cops arrested him for shooting at them in self defense but that was thrown out. Saying that the cops went to the right address (for the person they were looking for) is the exact bs disinformation put out there to try to justify what the cops did and obfuscate facts. Like how did no one catch this before publishing??
Also, the author’s stated belief that Viola Davis is only seen as attractive by people who fetishize her is bad enough, but to then go on to ignore outright that in the Bluest Eye misogyny was a major factor alongside race is too much. Especially after the bit in the beginning of the author recounting how sensitive he is to women’s pain (because of how bad he felt that a young girl in his church who was caught having sex and had to publicly beg for forgiveness from the whole entire congregation for hours. but he acknowledged that the girl had a worse time of it then he did, so #feminism I guess)
just did not vibe with it at any level, really tried but there’s other authors out there who I can learn from that don’t give me headaches with their sentence structure
I wanted to learn from this and some of my highlights were things I learned, but a lot of the annotating was because I was frustrated at the style/at the author’s assumption that he is right because he is god and can therefore speak on behalf of everyone (I feel like that sounds like an exaggeration but he does say he is god and we are all gods at several points soooo)
Major problem—author said the cops went to Breonna Taylor’s house looking for her “criminal boyfriend” Walker. False. They were looking for a former boyfriend. This is very easy to google. As far as I’ve seen Walker wasn’t a criminal, the cops arrested him for shooting at them in self defense but that was thrown out. Saying that the cops went to the right address (for the person they were looking for) is the exact bs disinformation put out there to try to justify what the cops did and obfuscate facts. Like how did no one catch this before publishing??
Also, the author’s stated belief that Viola Davis is only seen as attractive by people who fetishize her is bad enough, but to then go on to ignore outright that in the Bluest Eye misogyny was a major factor alongside race is too much. Especially after the bit in the beginning of the author recounting how sensitive he is to women’s pain (because of how bad he felt that a young girl in his church who was caught having sex and had to publicly beg for forgiveness from the whole entire congregation for hours. but he acknowledged that the girl had a worse time of it then he did, so #feminism I guess)
just did not vibe with it at any level, really tried but there’s other authors out there who I can learn from that don’t give me headaches with their sentence structure
February 27, 2025
This is now nudging its way into the top 3 best books I’ve read during this black history month. A blind pick up at Barnes and Noble.
In this book, Dr Daniel Black goes into detail in various essays about Black people/African Americans in multiple topics, such as, the black LGBTQ community including their triumphs and struggles in America, blacks that struggle with embracing their beauty due to internal and external sources that follow Eurocentric culture,segregation and how some see integration as a setback to Black America’s community growth, the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, etc.
I can go on forever with descriptions on what’s contained in this book, but I promise you that it’s better to read. Daniel Black has such an amazing way of explaining all these topics concerning Black Americans, their past, present, and future, that it’s clear to see how bright this man is and how pivotal his works are to enlightening a world of readers to so many things and ideas overlooked in today’s literature.
As soon as I started this read, two essays in, I was already stopping and rereading sections of the book out loud to my family. This is how hard it hit home for me. A 30 something year old black man who dropped out of college, but is doing his best by catching up on years gone of proper literacy and education. Already planning on gifting this book and another of his to some family members to get their insight and hope it sparks something in them as well.
Easily rating this book a 5/5 stars for content, impact, ease of reading although written by a decorated scholar. Recommend this as Black History Month reading or any month reading as this is a set of eye opening but also known revelations between these two covers.
In this book, Dr Daniel Black goes into detail in various essays about Black people/African Americans in multiple topics, such as, the black LGBTQ community including their triumphs and struggles in America, blacks that struggle with embracing their beauty due to internal and external sources that follow Eurocentric culture,segregation and how some see integration as a setback to Black America’s community growth, the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, etc.
I can go on forever with descriptions on what’s contained in this book, but I promise you that it’s better to read. Daniel Black has such an amazing way of explaining all these topics concerning Black Americans, their past, present, and future, that it’s clear to see how bright this man is and how pivotal his works are to enlightening a world of readers to so many things and ideas overlooked in today’s literature.
As soon as I started this read, two essays in, I was already stopping and rereading sections of the book out loud to my family. This is how hard it hit home for me. A 30 something year old black man who dropped out of college, but is doing his best by catching up on years gone of proper literacy and education. Already planning on gifting this book and another of his to some family members to get their insight and hope it sparks something in them as well.
Easily rating this book a 5/5 stars for content, impact, ease of reading although written by a decorated scholar. Recommend this as Black History Month reading or any month reading as this is a set of eye opening but also known revelations between these two covers.
December 22, 2023
Earlier this year I read Don’t Cry for Me by Daniel Black, I totally enjoyed the heartfelt and honest long letter from a dying father to his gay son.
Then I read Perfect Peace, his heartbreaking portrait of a large, rural southern family’s attempt to grapple with their mother’s desperate decision to make her newborn son into the daughter she will never have.
Both were excellent written, Black’s words captivating, dealing with themes that are fresh and important. I was worried about getting his new release Black on Black because it is non-fiction and a book about Resilience and Brilliance in America. I really didn’t want to read a ‘textbook’ about being Black in America.
I was pleasantly surprised when I did pick it up. The first part of Black on Black reads like the author’s memoir, he tells us stories about growing up in a Black household and church in America, discovering his Nigerian ancestry and picking up his Yoruba name Omotosho.
Brilliant essays about being Black in America that are relatable no matter where you live.
Then I read Perfect Peace, his heartbreaking portrait of a large, rural southern family’s attempt to grapple with their mother’s desperate decision to make her newborn son into the daughter she will never have.
Both were excellent written, Black’s words captivating, dealing with themes that are fresh and important. I was worried about getting his new release Black on Black because it is non-fiction and a book about Resilience and Brilliance in America. I really didn’t want to read a ‘textbook’ about being Black in America.
I was pleasantly surprised when I did pick it up. The first part of Black on Black reads like the author’s memoir, he tells us stories about growing up in a Black household and church in America, discovering his Nigerian ancestry and picking up his Yoruba name Omotosho.
Brilliant essays about being Black in America that are relatable no matter where you live.
April 22, 2024
I usually only read fiction, so I wouldn't have picked up this book of my own volition. Luckily for me, this was the April BOTM in the bookclub I'm in because this book was stellar. It was so eye-opening on various topics within the black community that it had me nodding my head and agreeing out loud with what Dr. Black was trying to get across. Every black person, especially in America, needs to read this book. For us as people to be successful in this country that doesn't want us, we have to learn to get out of our own way. Start thinking and acting within our own blackness, remembering and researching our ancestors, and stop caring what the white race thinks about how OUR race should be perceived. We have to start becoming what we're supposed to be and what our ancestors died for.
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