Life Out of Context

by Walter Mosley

Life Out of Context begins as a powerful, brooding and humorously honest examination of Mosley's own sense of cultural dislocation as an African American writer. But due to a series of serendipitous events — the screening of a documentary about Africa, an encounter with Harry Belafonte and Hugh Masakela — Mosley, rather like the protagonist in one of his mystery novels, has a series of epiphanies on the role of a black intellectual in America. He asks: What can we do to fight injustice, poverty, exploitation, and racism? What is globalization doing to us? Through these late night meditations, Mosley attempts to transcend his earlier feelings of living a "life out of context" and seeks instead to find a political context. He ends with a call to arms, proposing that African Americans have to break their historic ties with the Democrat Party, and form a party of their own

Genres: Nonfiction, African American

103 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2005

About the author

Walter Mosley (b. 1952) is the author of the bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins, as well as numerous other works, from literary fiction and science fiction to a young adult novel and political monographs. His short fiction has been widely published, and his nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and the Nation, among other publications. Mosley is the winner of numerous awards, including an O. Henry Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, a Grammy, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Susan Frazier-Kouassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They don't invite you to the table and we don't demand our place there. If this situation continues, we will never beat out a place for our social context; our voices will never be heard - by them or by us". This quote from Walter Mosley's very short but impactful book made a big impression on me. Although written more than a decade ago, it is still relevant today.

[RosaLea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking material for people of any nationality concerned with the political, socio-economic present and future of this world.

[Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only familiarity with Walter Mosley was the screen adaptation of Devil in a Blue Dress (which is when I officially began to love Don Cheadle, who incidentally deserves better roles than sideshow explosives expert with a British accent in a large ensemble cast). Apparently, Mosley has been writing nonfiction for a while and I just haven't been paying attention.

This very, very short book is a vehicle for his frustration with the state of the world (the Iraq war, the nonexistence of universal health care, the effects of globalization) and results in Mosley advocating for the creation of an African-American political party. (The full title of the book is: Life Out of Context Which Includes a Proposal for the Non-violent Takeover of the House of Representatives.) He, like a lot of concerned folks, seeks the next unified rallying point for oppressed peoples. And his answer is easy to express, but hard to do, as he acknowledges: to speak truth even when not convenient, to show up even when not invited, and to start creating a new context (narrative, if you will) that will survive cycles of half-truths and outright lies.

Mosley doesn't put forth any new ideas, but I was glad to read something that seemed to capture the tenor and extent of my frustration on the larger issue -- how to create a sustained movement for change that empowers people, not just leaders in the public eye, and that lives beyond dramatic moments.
See, e.g., http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/....

It's a hard question. Thoughts?

[Kelly Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter Mosley has already proven he can write superbly in any genre and in cross-genres. This book proves him to be a great social and philosophical thinker. His diagnosis of the problem of our time and place is not necessarily brilliant - anyone who thinks at all can see that the lack of meaning in our society and the focus on the almighty dollar has caused not only problems for ourselves but for the rest of the world as well. The plight of people in poor countries is extreme and unacceptable. The brilliance of this small treatise lies in the depth of understanding, and the obvious stretch toward acceptable solutions. It's a shame on all of us that we have moved in the opposite direction than Mosley's prescription, and it's on all of us to remember how democracy works and start participating in it.

[Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a true Walter Mosley fan. Although he may best be known for his mystery series, his writings cover many genres including this political essay I've just completed. His views on how to give context to our (African Americans and others) lives are well developed and in my opinion make a great deal of sense. I enjoyed this essay; it definitely provides much food for thought. After having read this I am going to find more of his non-fiction as I find it to be just as intriguing as Easy Rawlins, Mouse, Socrates Fortlow, and et. al

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is not a novel but does not read like a philosophy book. Mosley writes about his truths and attempts to provide context to the ills of society. The questions he raises need to be discussed, alternate questions developed and solutions that can be tested. This sums up the entire book - "People are suffering and dying because of our inability to engage and help change the world" Walter Mosley #Truth #TheProblem #WellSaid

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's both terrifying and intriguing that a book published a full decade ago can still feel so relevant. This is my first read by Walter Mosley and I was thrilled by many of the ideas he posed here. Though several can be seen as "pie in the sky" or "too idealistic" I liked the point he made early on and feel it encompasses what follows perfectly: "...I believe that if there is any value in this piece, it comes from a way of thinking and not necessarily the thoughts themselves."

[David Goodale]

I read this off and on. It discusses issues facing the black community. I started reading it because it is a similar idea that I have with regard to our societies reaction to issues and quotes that are often taken out of context.

[Fenesha Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my bucket list items is to have drinks and conversation with Walter Mosley. This book fills me up in the meantime. Life Out of Context is a break from his fiction writings and gives good insight into how he thinks.

[Kent]

hmmm not to much interested in this, his nonfiction book.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read for anyone fed up with the political status quo, and especially for those tired of hearing from the same voices. Well written, emotional and inspiring.

[Delayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too abstractly wordy.