Not Tragically Colored: Freedom, Personhood, and the Renewal of Black America

by Ismael Hernández, Michael Novak (Foreword)

Despite a seemingly endless series of programs, discussions, and analyses—and the election of the first African-American president—the problem of race continues to bedevil American society. Could it be that our programs and discussions have failed to get at the root of the problem? Ismael Hernandez strikes at the root, even when that means plunging his axe deep into the hard soil of political correctness. A native of Puerto Rico, a former Communist, and a Catholic social worker, Hernandez brings an entirely unique perspective to questions of poverty, government welfare, liberation theology, and black culture. Drawing deeply on both his own experience and a wide array of intellectual sources, Hernandez presents his analysis with bracing honesty and stunning insight. A future free from the “reign of race-consciousness” is possible, Hernandez insists. In Not Tragically Colored, he shows the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race

300 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2016

Reviews

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book analyzing the state of American black society, where it is today, the challenges and problems confronting it, and how it got to where it is today. Hernandez challenges the dogma and premises of sociologists and social work experts on this topic, showing how a collectivist approach that lumps all black citizens together and treats them as victims of slavery and persistent systemic racism is robbing them of their individuality, personhood, and sense of personal responsibility for their future as well as offering false cures when the problems needing to be addressed remain neglected. He takes down these longheld assumptions and beliefs about African-American society and its history, brick by brick, relentlessly, and then offers his own solutions for removing victimology from the fabric of black society. He also does a great job relating anecdotes from his own personal experiences as a black man to illustrate the phenomena he analyzes.

Well-written and well-supported throughout. Given the strong ideological bias present in the fields of sociology and social work education, this book would be a great alternative text for any college and university open to the notion of giving its students a view alternative to that which most students are likely getting from their faculty.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle tells you what the author hopes to accomplish: Freedom, Personhood, and the Renewal of Black America. And accomplish it he does. Hernendaz dismantles the failed attempts of seemingly endless government programs that have actually made things worse. If you want to read an alternative to Leftist solutions, this is a book for you. It is actually hopeful and helpful.

[Matthew Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that shows the fallacy and self - destructive mind set of victim status in black America. Worth anyone's time. Great endnotes making additional study on subjects very easy. His and his wife's stories are worth the book alone.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

We went off a cliff when we started guiding our interracial reckonings according to Marx instead of Christ. Hernandez effectively and sensitively makes this case. I wish more progressives would consider these ideas.


Notes:

(1) Pigeonholing into racial categories has become the province of the left.

(2) "Action reveals the person" as an antidote against racial dismissal (54)

(3) Interesting discussion on how determinism intersects with racial issues. (71)

(4) "We help people by turning them into leftist political activists" (76)

(5) Powerful quote by Frederick Douglas (97)

(6) Incredible insight on the constitutional 3/5 compromise. It's often cited as evidence of America's endemic racism, but the reality was just the opposite. It was those who sought to end slavery the argued to have slaves counted as a 3/5 vote. Why? So that the pro-slavery south couldn’t perpetuate slavery by having their slaves vote for pro-slavery policy! (174)

(7) Black leaders must tell black people what they tell their children: "to study hard, pursue their dreams with disipline and effort, to be responsible for them to do have concernt for others , to cherish their race at the same time make their own lives as Americans" Shelby Steele

(8) Cites statistics that the black family was better off before the government started "helping" (259)

(9) Racism is alive but not well (293)

(10) We are not tragically colored (296)

[Anda P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard read, very intellectual and occasionally hard to follow. The author is brilliant. I’ve never read anything in this genre before and highlighted half the book. So many ideas to think about, all of them highly timely and relevant.

[Martha Reed]

Well-researched and thoughtful look at societal shifts. Especially helpful in today’s volatile climate.