Conversate Is Not a Word: Getting Away from Ghetto

by Jam Donaldson

Many black men—from Bill Cosby to Michael Eric Dyson—have spoken out about African American society. But where are the voices of the women, especially the young, funny, witty, sarcastic ones?             Meet Jam Donaldson, a provocateur of the most entertaining kind. Funny, sad, angry, and refreshingly honest, Conversate Is Not a Word offers food for thought, encouraging people to improve their lives as well as the culture overall. Weaving her own warring viewpoints into the discussion, Donaldson provides not only comic relief but a window into the complex, contradictory perspectives existing within every member of the black community.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Nukunu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The level of conceit in this book is nearly intolerable, but what would you expect from the same person who championed the horribly tepid and short-lived show "We Got To Do Better", formerly known as "Hot Ghetto Mess"? Donaldson's shtick is far from the enlightening female perspective you were hoping for: it reads more along the lines of Michael Baisden in drag, and eventually loses any truly redeeming qualities half-way into it.

Aside from "conversate" actually being a word- it's called a back-formation, which isn't that unusual if you examine linguistic history; resurrect, for instance, is one- my criticisms of her work and arguments rest upon her parroting of the same trash and (self)righteous indignation we've been hearing for decades: Blacks don't demand enough excellence in their life, don't take responsibility for their actions and blame everyone else for their problems, don't take care of their surroundings, etc. And of course, there's my favorite: there are too many "PC" Black folks that refuse to acknowledge a diversity of perspectives, lest they be shamed and called a wide variety of pejoratives for being "race traitors" or "exploiters" in defense.

Enter the near-religious invocation of Cosby and other patriarchs next along with nostalgia about how unified we all were generations ago. A perspective that isn't yet another male one is definitely needed and welcome; it's a shame however, that Donaldson's commentary doesn't convey that need with material evolving beyond the same points. The key problem with her obviously impassioned concerns - she spends the prologue outlining the origin of her praxis and thought-process behind the infamous website and show- is that it progressively loses its introspective focus and quite garishly becomes an indulgent, albeit humorous and irreverent rant typified by a gimmick she uses. The myriad references to studies by notable publications about the condition of African Americans in the US begin to feel less like conversation-starters so much as omens heralding sections a person might be tempted to skip. Donaldson tries to insist that her perspective avoids the false dichotomy of echo chambers on the hot button issues, but the bias and blanket characterization of those she views as problematic proves her wrong quite easily.

Throughout the book, Donaldson uses a role play that supposedly describes the dual mindset in which she exists as someone Black and "American", citing DuBois' earlier writings about Black double-consciousness and how she came to relate to it through her earliest work. It's one, might I add, that is so flawed and disturbingly racialized that her clear detachment from the nuances of institutionalized class discrimination - even elitism - in Black culture becomes shameful despite her attempts to disassociate from it. She claims to be the "average Joe" that's far from a "revolutionary", but in contrast to her peers offers none of them that same gravitas, frequently bemoaning them as reflective of an endemic problem in Black Culture in the US writ-large. For instance, we have "Jam the Negro", the side of her offered up as the person with the "ghetto" mentality, and "Jam the American", the supposed voice of reason inside of her that always wins the arguments and finishes last. I'm certain you see the transparency here. Of course, while we do "have to do better" on some issues, the problem extends further than simply being a "ghetto" mindset.

"Ghetto" is a word that, at least in America, has become racially loaded over the years and a tool of propaganda used almost exclusively in American discourse to generate hatred against Blacks and other ethnic minorities with offensive stereotypes. Continuing that trend in the antiquated talking points she uses- while simultaneously failing to offer many original solutions in spite of her elegies- only enables the continuation of this destructive thinking and approach to issues in our community. In some of the ideas she offers a constructive solution to dealing with various issues in Black America, such as community programs that help deal with excess littering, even though much of the pollution and disregard in ghettoes has a history stemming from the racist NIMBY policy used by whites and large corporations(Cancer alley comes to mind), a fact she neglects to take into account when obsessively making references to chicken bones and other detritus littering neighborhood yards (can't forget the "Neighborhood Trash Illuminati" either). She speaks of racist systems of oppression we've experienced, yet thinks the only thing holding us back are our mentalities.

She also admits the problems that make educational achievement in some areas a tough hill to climb. This point is especially one that deserves a "duh, you didn't know?" from anyone reading, especially if you're aware of the latest data from the Civil Rights Data Packet, or the recent findings that 48% of the schools in the entire US are below federal standard. Never mind her constantly referring to Ebonics, a well-established Black dialect with its own linguistic rules that's been around for centuries, as "bad english", among other classist statements that make her sound no different than the elitists in academia she criticizes in the beginning.

Her negligence on some of these other issues -given how readily she brandishes anecdotes from popular sites - is astounding, and her inability to pragmatically tackle the problems she decries so passionately make this book a very pitiful entry. An "Average Joe" she's not, despite her claims otherwise, because being "Average" to her in a Black context would mean being irresponsible, obsessed with "the Man", and the epitome of the generational problems outlined in her book that we willfully inflict on ourselves. Instead, all of the Average Joes" are people who've managed to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, start a successful business or career, and essentially escape by being *above average (even resorting to anecdotes about immigrants and our "entitlement"). The pleas to not wallow in hopelessness and self-doubt turn into hollow, disingenuous sermons. Tragic.

Like the male-dominated "experts" in the field she's trying to stake her claim in, Donaldson is practically a broken record that hasn't found anything new to offer, a wasted opportunity. All the introspection that made her arguments tolerable in the beginning is lost on the reader well before this journey ends, relegating her book to another cheap offering from another shock jock, and her snarky commentary (even when it isn't being condescending and actually touches on important topics) isn't enough to save it. The self-ingratiation in her tawdry - and dare I say it? - arguments not only reveal a perspective that is unfortunately shallow, but also tragic-comically ironic.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly, thoroughly, enjoyed this book from cover to cover. Although Jam tends to get a little preachy here and there she does an incredible job of conveying the fact that she's only being so due to an honest love and concern that she has for her people. She gives good advice, it's just up to the reader to follow through. The entire book is phenomenal, but pay close attention to Chapter 5; it really can teach.

[Brian TramueL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ensnaring honesty.

[Nichole Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yo, this is my favorite book ever! It's funny, relateable, educational, brutally honest, and the list goes on! I love it so much I bought it twice!

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason this book gets three stars is for content, not presentation. Don't get me wrong, the material matter is pertinent, and there is a marked need to explore and destroy stereotypes present in African American culture. The quotes from the book are pertinent and relevant, as pertinent and as relevant in today's society as when they were written. That said, the author's message would be stronger if it was actually presented in proper English. The book's writing style can best be described as "ghetto fabulous" which completely undermines the point of all that is being conveyed. You cannot argue against stereotypes only to employ them as a marketing gimmick.

To sum - relevant material, terrible presentation.

[Karah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a conversational style, Jam Donaldson targets the privileged and disadvantaged members of the black community. She doesn't claim that the black community disregard the inner city. Quite the opposite. We must remember that brilliance has emerged from the plebeian segment of society. Yet, we must discipline ourselves in every facet of our lives to heal our curses. The white man will not save us, we can only save ourselves if we plant love for ourselves and our brethren.

This book had been on my wishlist for at least five years. In the winter of 2019, I bought a copy from thriftbooks.com. I expected it to be longer. She finished the book at a respectable length. The desired audience wouldn't complete it if it exceeded 200 pages.

[Lashawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read this in a short amount of time. The things that Jam mentioned are considered by a lot of individuals to be emotionally sensitive and embarrassing. In any event, there is a proper and an improper manner in which to convey a message, and Jam's manner of conveying her message to the audience was, at times, straightforward. I share Jam's opinion on a few of the topics that are discussed in this book. The whole thing was enjoyable to read.

[A'Tru Dreamx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant about buying this book. It appeared to be another one of those books to tell us what we are doing wrong, and what we need to do right. That's exactly what it was, and what it needed to be. Unfortunately, those who NEED to read it will not. For those of us (likely Talented Tenth) who did read the book, it's now our job to implement the chsnge needed.

I wholeheartedly agreed with the author's point of view on each topic. I can appreciate her willingness to contribute at the capacity she has found fit. The key is in encouring those in the position to reach out or with direct contact with our counterparts to do so.

I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read. It tackled a very difficult and serious subject in an approachable manner. The writing was conversational and therefore was motivating without a sermon. It may not inspire merely confirm what so many of us think, but at least topic is out there so we can converse about it!

I'm glad I bought it & read it. Good job Ms. Donaldson.

[Renay Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Jam's approach to the black community in this book is very aggressive. But necessarily so. She talks about some major issues and things that are taboo to say in public, or things that many Black Americans think but dare not say out of fear of scrutiny from those that live the life worth criticism. I don't know if I agree with every single thing she mentions, such as the chapter about leadership in the black community. Where it used to be found and where it can still be found if people would straighten up. I have my reservations about why I disagree with some examples like the black church; however to each his own.
I will say she is very articulate and straight forward which makes it hard to put down. I do believe it is worth reading if you are interested in socioeconomic issues and black america. It can help some who may not truly be familiar with the mentality of SOME Black Americans. NOT ALL. Because there is a large group of us that know how to behave. lol

[Shantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very eye opening and provocative book. I argued with myself as I turned the pages and analyzed key points. I agree that I need to give back to the community, save money, and strive for excellence. This book will make you reevaluate your role in the Black community. I enjoyed this book a lot, way more than I thought I would. I think this book is a great stepping stone if you are renewing your self education, black or white.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with everything this author wrote. we need to stop the blaming of other people for our problems, stop waiting to be rescued and help our darn selves. make better decisions, be better examples and each one teach one.

[Kia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. I struggle with some of her same issues. It was nice to know I'm not alone.

[Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare to air our faults in public. Silents in the great enemy, which empowers our enemies.
Because in our perpetual reticence, "we" have become our greatest enemy, and their greatest weapon.

[LaToya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree almost entirely with the author's views and observations.