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50th out of 108 books
—
11 voters
Black Cool: One Thousand Streams of Blackness
by
Rebecca Walker (Goodreads Author) ,
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Black Cool explores the ineffable state and aesthetic of Black Cool. From the effortless reserve of Miles Davis in khakis on an early album cover, to the shock of resistance in black women’s fashion from Angela Davis to Rihanna, to the cadence of poets as diverse as Staceyann Chin and Audre Lorde, Black Cool looks at the roots of Black Cool and attempts to name elements of...more
Paperback, 160 pages
Published
February 7th 2012
by Soft Skull Press
(first published August 1st 2011)
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I really enjoyed this book, despite not wholly buying into the premise that there is an inherent "black cool" as opposed to a culture of black cool. But it is an interesting subject, and the essays I liked the best were those that described how perceptions of black cool manifest themselves in black communities and influence our interactions.
I didn't have to take the concept literally (though Walker doesn't think it's outrageous to do so) to appreciate the stories told here ... Stories of surviv...more
I didn't have to take the concept literally (though Walker doesn't think it's outrageous to do so) to appreciate the stories told here ... Stories of surviv...more
The first thing black people need to understand is that a miscegenated blend of "indian", "dutch", and "whatever," is not who we are; it's what happened. I have in me Blackfoot and Cherokee, Welsh, and whatever else by incident, doesn't mean "this land is your land, this land is my land." It just means that's what happened.
So, again, first thing to understand, we are not a miscegenated blend of "everything," we stand on our own identity. If we are a "nation," it is our own; civilized by no other...more
So, again, first thing to understand, we are not a miscegenated blend of "everything," we stand on our own identity. If we are a "nation," it is our own; civilized by no other...more
I loved everything about this book except for Henry Louis Gate Jr.'s parenthetical foreword and Margo Davis's essay. The rest of the essays, by outstanding black authors, were well-written and edited. The best thing is that each essay brings a truly unique perspective to the topic of "black cool." Some essays, though, are truly outstanding for their sheer power and good writing, like "Audacity" by dream hampton. Another reason why I really liked this book is because it introduced me to a slew of...more
I'm about halfway through this book and I think it's a wonderful re-introduction to my former life (where I read books instead of streamed tv to my computer). The essays are good. Some of the authors are familiar, some aren't. They're all personal and all hit on topics near and dear to me. Rape, the "strong black woman" phenomenon, defining hipster, mental illness among artists. I find myself highlighting thoughts, phrases and Ideas I'd like to further explore in my own writing and even my own e...more
Many of the concise and well-written essays in this collection have been beautifully rendered. I am particularly touched by dream hampton's "Audacity," Rachel M. Harper's "Crazy," "Resistance" by Michaela angela Davis, "Eccentricity" by Margo Chambers and "Hunger" by Veronica Chambers. hampton addresses an attempted rape in her childhood - balancing rage, voice, and insight - in a brave and thoughtful essay. Chambers delivers an essay which connects appetite with coolness and suggests a new unde...more
1 like · like · see review
It's interesting to read the other reviews of this book. It seems that blacks were much more critical and less likely to engage in the writing as "cool". But for a white Jew like me, the writing was fascinating, insightful and really way cooler that I would ever have predicted. I'm not a fan of essays but these offer something that is rarely verbalized and worth taking the time to read and think about.
I loved this eclectic collection of thought-provoking essays. Featuring selections by some of the nation's top "thinkers," this was like a coffee shop reading...well, a series of readings by very engaging writers. Most of the essays were also personal memoirs,some quite intimate. The book will cause you to define and redefine your understanding of "Black Cool."
I enjoyed this collection of essays. Some were better than others which is to be expected, but I was not overly disappointed by any. The collection definitely invokes a series of emotions; happiness, pride, sorrow, anger etc which is indicative of the ability for the authors to tell their own stories. My favorites were Reserve, The Break, Resistance, Hunger, Evolution and Swagger.
"That’s solitude, keeping company with the first institution—that of self. Hanging out with your own spirit. But hanging out with your spirit is not the same as an obsession with individualism. That obsession can be a cancer to Blackness—not because self ain’t fly, too, but because the beauty of together is a forgotten magic we can’t afford to lose."
Honestly, I expected a little bit more. Some essays were a hit and miss for me. BUT quite a few were bang on point and the writers were able to articulate some ideas and feelings about the authentic Black experience that I was struggling to express. And I'm grateful for that.
I was able to skim the whole thing in the bookstore. Expected way more, even though it's a collection of essays by writers I generally like. I honestly don't think Walker has the gift (writing or editing). Just the name.
Rebecca Walker has used the work of integral thinkers to capture the essence of "Black Cool." Each essay is poignant and full of beautiful words worthy of rereads.
Just finished reading the book, Very inspiring and caused me to have a self evaluation. A must read.
Filled with honesty and passion. Inspires us to take off our masks and appreciate who we ( all races and colors) are and where we come from. Wonderful!
Multiplicity on multiplicity on multiplicity. A truly enlightening joy to read.
Was slow in some places but overall a powerful read.
I really enjoyed this book! Each cleverly written essay provides a glimpse into the soul. Black cool, word.
Feb 25, 2012
Cheryl
marked it as consider-reading
305.896 Black C 2012
NPR Recommendation
Loved it! It seems like there is a quotable on each page.
So this is really a great book of wonderful essays from a variety of viewpoints and styles. I cannot recommend it highly enough for its style--the writing is just wonderful, and the insights are wonderful. A very, very good book.
Jun 21, 2012
Lisa Coffman
added it
Loved this book. So many of the pieces resonated with me. Promised it to 4 great women to read, can't wait to get it back and have my kid read it. My 12 year old self needed to read this book, so since I didn't have it I will share with my son.
AMAZING collection..must read by all.
Very enjoyable collection of essays, each providing one definition of black cool and how it was part of the authors' lives
May 21, 2013
Paris Chanel
marked it as to-read
May 21, 2013
Vanessa granda
marked it as to-read
May 20, 2013
Nuri
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2013
Ashton
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Panda
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Nicole W
marked it as to-read
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Feb 09, 2012 03:39pm