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Why I Couldn't Stay Silent
As a black man, a conservative, a father, a husband, and a Christian, I cannot remain silent any longer. What I witnessed during the presidential election of 2016 caused me to erupt with emotion. All of the negativity and deceit that was transpiring seemed to be casting a shadow over what I believed to be the most important issues affecting our country's future. Why I Couldn't Stay Silent tells a story of one man's pursuit to shine light in the darkness and make sense out of the gloom clouding our country's greatness. This book may challenge everything you currently believe about racism in America. My hope is that it causes you to reflect and ponder the solutions I present as possible answers to how we may come together and achieve excellence as a united nation. Take this journey with me as I walk through the good, the bad and the ugly of being a black conservative in America.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2019
7 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 25, 2019
First of all, David Harris personally signs the books he sends out, which is not only a nice touch but a reflection of his humility. This book is a very quick read, and the absolute best part is chapter 4: "The Scandal Free Barack." It's just a rapid-fire rundown of everything from Fast and Furious to the 2013 government shutdown and the obviously pre-planned political show of keeping veterans away from war memorials.
Do I agree with all of his ideas? No, but I really do appreciate that he is sincerely informing his politics through his faith and navigating how to support good principles through flawed candidates like Trump. Harris keeps the conversation going, and I'm grateful that he published this raw and relatable reaction to the 2016 election season. I'll be keeping this book to remember.
Do I agree with all of his ideas? No, but I really do appreciate that he is sincerely informing his politics through his faith and navigating how to support good principles through flawed candidates like Trump. Harris keeps the conversation going, and I'm grateful that he published this raw and relatable reaction to the 2016 election season. I'll be keeping this book to remember.
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February 22, 2019"Trump Derangement Syndrome" is a real form of derangement, and Jussie Smollett has it!"
David Harris Jr
David Harris Jr
May 17, 2019
Some very good stuff in here about faith, politics, freedom of speech, and abortion, particularly as relates to the Black experience in the U.S. A bit disjointed as several social media posts and video transcripts are included as major sections. But it is worth the time to work through it. Read with an open mind -- freedom of speech doesn't mean you have to agree with everything Harris says.
November 3, 2020
Specifically encourage all who are concerned with racism in America to take the time to read this.
I gave it a 4 only due to the writing style, but certainly not the content! (Although his final point regarding God and whether or not He is in control of everything, I disagree with the author, but that doesn’t change the rest of the book).
It’s a bit choppy: reading excerpts from videos, etc. But this message can’t be missed. Do yourself, and others, a favor and read this. Short and easy. Very important.
I gave it a 4 only due to the writing style, but certainly not the content! (Although his final point regarding God and whether or not He is in control of everything, I disagree with the author, but that doesn’t change the rest of the book).
It’s a bit choppy: reading excerpts from videos, etc. But this message can’t be missed. Do yourself, and others, a favor and read this. Short and easy. Very important.
July 23, 2020
More of a primer for beginning conservatives - not much here that I didn’t already know - but there is value for someone exploring conservative values. I appreciated hearing his perspective as a person of color on conservative politics, which is why I gave it five stars.
October 4, 2020
I strive to understand people who think differently than me on various issues. Because of all the political books I have been reading lately, this book came up in my recommended list and I put it on hold at the library.
Normally, I would just rate the book and move on, but this book is a bit different than the rest of the books as the author is not a professional/career writer.
Mr. Harris might be the most sincere of any author I have read in politics from a 1st person point of view.
Ultimately, abortion is the only issue he votes on for elected officials. This is the main message throughout the book, as it consumes approximately half of the content. There are other issues that concern him about left-leaning politics, but he is a one-issue voter. He explains time after time that his Christian faith is where he starts his journey and ends up that abortion is wrong. Harris excuses many of the moral issues with President Trump because Trump will install judges who are anti-abortion. If that is done, he seems to try to convince the reader that everything else is permissible.
So why do I give it 2.5 stars?
The positive reasons:
1. Because Harris states bluntly what his primary bias is.
2. His research on the police murder rate of black people seems to be consistent with the results from sources I trust.
3. The book is readable and not condescending to those who believe different.
The negative reasons:
1. Harris’ research is lacking in about every other area.
A. The secondary bias is that the democrats are historically more racist than Republicans. He conveniently stops his history with Martin Luther King, Jr. - there is 50 years of history that is unaccounted for
B. The police murder rate of black people rings true, but it does not take into account the police violence disproportionately towards people of color over white people.
C. Despite his anecdotal experience of laughing and smiling while being handcuffed by police officers, his examples show that he is very fortunate, not the norm. Laughing while getting cuffed and talking back to the officers does not always coincide with his experience - regardless of race or gender.
D. His summary of Obama’s administration was a weak, partisan glance, not a realistic accounting of what happened - specifically in regards to the scandal section. The general reaction of Obama supporters was not positive to the Fast and Furious episode. Other “scandals” that Harris claim happened were real events, but the tint of interpretation is skewed.
E. His interpretations of the economy are not consistent with economists but are specifically slanted with extreme right sources.
2. Instead of calling Trump out for the negatives, he either will not because of the abortion issue, or can not because he is blind to the moral character that Trump embodies. Yet we know he isn’t blind, because he tell us he dismisses it in favor of abortion.
3. He refers multiple times to inspirational videos that he or people he agrees with made to try to emphasize the truthfulness to of his ideas - and name drops Trump as on who has watched it liked the videos. This in itself is not bad, but he doesn’t adequately address the issues from the videos. They are cotton candy - looks good but no substance other than sugar.
4. I also take issue with the alleged racism that he implies didn’t exist before Obama. I have grown up in Texas and Oklahoma, as well as lived in Mississippi and Pennsylvania - I see actions taken based on the skin color of others all the time. Most law enforcement are good. I agree with that. But I denounce bad choices and actions from all sides. Obama was definitely a flawed president and had a flawed administration. But I remember several people during the election cycle who called Obama a monkey. Maybe I’m not cultured enough, but I’m pretty sure it was because he was black, not because he liked bananas.
The main reason why I rate this book so high is that Mr. Harris makes it clear that abortion is the overwhelming issue at hand and this is why most Republicans are willing to stomach Trump.
Normally, I would just rate the book and move on, but this book is a bit different than the rest of the books as the author is not a professional/career writer.
Mr. Harris might be the most sincere of any author I have read in politics from a 1st person point of view.
Ultimately, abortion is the only issue he votes on for elected officials. This is the main message throughout the book, as it consumes approximately half of the content. There are other issues that concern him about left-leaning politics, but he is a one-issue voter. He explains time after time that his Christian faith is where he starts his journey and ends up that abortion is wrong. Harris excuses many of the moral issues with President Trump because Trump will install judges who are anti-abortion. If that is done, he seems to try to convince the reader that everything else is permissible.
So why do I give it 2.5 stars?
The positive reasons:
1. Because Harris states bluntly what his primary bias is.
2. His research on the police murder rate of black people seems to be consistent with the results from sources I trust.
3. The book is readable and not condescending to those who believe different.
The negative reasons:
1. Harris’ research is lacking in about every other area.
A. The secondary bias is that the democrats are historically more racist than Republicans. He conveniently stops his history with Martin Luther King, Jr. - there is 50 years of history that is unaccounted for
B. The police murder rate of black people rings true, but it does not take into account the police violence disproportionately towards people of color over white people.
C. Despite his anecdotal experience of laughing and smiling while being handcuffed by police officers, his examples show that he is very fortunate, not the norm. Laughing while getting cuffed and talking back to the officers does not always coincide with his experience - regardless of race or gender.
D. His summary of Obama’s administration was a weak, partisan glance, not a realistic accounting of what happened - specifically in regards to the scandal section. The general reaction of Obama supporters was not positive to the Fast and Furious episode. Other “scandals” that Harris claim happened were real events, but the tint of interpretation is skewed.
E. His interpretations of the economy are not consistent with economists but are specifically slanted with extreme right sources.
2. Instead of calling Trump out for the negatives, he either will not because of the abortion issue, or can not because he is blind to the moral character that Trump embodies. Yet we know he isn’t blind, because he tell us he dismisses it in favor of abortion.
3. He refers multiple times to inspirational videos that he or people he agrees with made to try to emphasize the truthfulness to of his ideas - and name drops Trump as on who has watched it liked the videos. This in itself is not bad, but he doesn’t adequately address the issues from the videos. They are cotton candy - looks good but no substance other than sugar.
4. I also take issue with the alleged racism that he implies didn’t exist before Obama. I have grown up in Texas and Oklahoma, as well as lived in Mississippi and Pennsylvania - I see actions taken based on the skin color of others all the time. Most law enforcement are good. I agree with that. But I denounce bad choices and actions from all sides. Obama was definitely a flawed president and had a flawed administration. But I remember several people during the election cycle who called Obama a monkey. Maybe I’m not cultured enough, but I’m pretty sure it was because he was black, not because he liked bananas.
The main reason why I rate this book so high is that Mr. Harris makes it clear that abortion is the overwhelming issue at hand and this is why most Republicans are willing to stomach Trump.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2020
A must read!
June 20, 2020
David speaks truth and wow is God using him!!! I have already recommended this book to many friends. We are a LEO family and he didn’t know this when he made the book, but it was
so needed by our family during this hard time. LEO is being demonized when in fact MOST are good! I am grateful to him for sharing his experiences with police as well as other people throughout his life that have molded his character. I also really appreciated the story his wife shared about her mother and abortion. What an inspiring book. Another thing I love about David is that he and Candace Owens are advocates for doing research and forming your own educated opinions. HIGHLY recommend!
so needed by our family during this hard time. LEO is being demonized when in fact MOST are good! I am grateful to him for sharing his experiences with police as well as other people throughout his life that have molded his character. I also really appreciated the story his wife shared about her mother and abortion. What an inspiring book. Another thing I love about David is that he and Candace Owens are advocates for doing research and forming your own educated opinions. HIGHLY recommend!
June 25, 2020
An important book to read, truly countercultural.
September 2, 2020
David J. Harris, Jr. has a dream for America. He wants all Americans, of every color and ethnicity, to live together, love one another, and be prosperous. Who can disagree with this dream? It should be everyone’s dream, shouldn’t it? Sadly today, we know this dream is not everyone’s dream...far from it.
I started listening to Mr. Harris’ segments on Facebook, and I really liked what he had to say. I like what he has to say in his book as well. In it, he writes much as he talks...so there could have been some additional editing done in my opinion, but he backs up most of his opinions with facts and cites his sources, not in traditional MLA or APA format, but with endnotes that lead directly to websites. Many of his words are inspiring, as he writes about what led him to speak out when he did and about his Christian beliefs. It is those beliefs that lead him to so strongly oppose any candidate who supports abortion.
I think my favorite chapter though is the chapter entitled “The Scandal-Free Barack.” The title is ironic, of course, since Harris discusses 18 scandals which occurred while Barack Obama was President, many of which still affect us today.
The book is short enough to be read quickly, and I would highly recommend reading it in order to get the black conservative perspective on what’s going on in the United States today.
I started listening to Mr. Harris’ segments on Facebook, and I really liked what he had to say. I like what he has to say in his book as well. In it, he writes much as he talks...so there could have been some additional editing done in my opinion, but he backs up most of his opinions with facts and cites his sources, not in traditional MLA or APA format, but with endnotes that lead directly to websites. Many of his words are inspiring, as he writes about what led him to speak out when he did and about his Christian beliefs. It is those beliefs that lead him to so strongly oppose any candidate who supports abortion.
I think my favorite chapter though is the chapter entitled “The Scandal-Free Barack.” The title is ironic, of course, since Harris discusses 18 scandals which occurred while Barack Obama was President, many of which still affect us today.
The book is short enough to be read quickly, and I would highly recommend reading it in order to get the black conservative perspective on what’s going on in the United States today.
October 14, 2020
I paid a little extra to get the signed version of this book and it was totally worth it. I have been a fan of David Harris Jr. ever since I discovered him on Instagram (the first video of his I saw was of him proudly wearing a MAGA hat on an airplane that President Trump shared!). Reading his book, his passion was refreshing. Between him and Candace Owens, whose book I also just recently read, I pray fervently that everyone who gets their hands on these books see the truth in them. Harris also is very passionate about his faith, which I loved reading about. His description of Jesus' suffering, even though I've read about it countless times, made my heart hurt. He touches in detail on the corruption of Barack Obama. Abortion. The media's manipulation. This book is a short and easy read but it would be fascinating whether it's 133 pages or 533. Since this was written before 2020 happened, I hope he writes another one!
August 10, 2020
This book is full of a great amount of factoids. I really
appreciated the break down of scandals during the Obama presidency. I liked the information David provides, but, it lacks a certain editorial cohesiveness. Certain times the chapter headings/titles were a bit misleading. I think the overall presentation is a bit choppy, but it is balanced by the fact that David brings a much overlooked perspective & voice in the political scene & writes in a manner that highlights his sincerity & his passion.
appreciated the break down of scandals during the Obama presidency. I liked the information David provides, but, it lacks a certain editorial cohesiveness. Certain times the chapter headings/titles were a bit misleading. I think the overall presentation is a bit choppy, but it is balanced by the fact that David brings a much overlooked perspective & voice in the political scene & writes in a manner that highlights his sincerity & his passion.
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April 13, 2021I really like black conservatives. I think they are very brave, courageous, wise and inspiring. It's their example that inspires me to try not to be a puppet and a pawn in others hands. It's their example that inspires me to really think.
I'm not sure how to rate this book. I loved the author's message about black Americans, Kanye West and his speaking to the truth on some hot topics. But parts of the book seemed very preachy as well, which I mentally shut out.
I'm not sure how to rate this book. I loved the author's message about black Americans, Kanye West and his speaking to the truth on some hot topics. But parts of the book seemed very preachy as well, which I mentally shut out.
July 11, 2020
I really like David Harris Jr and I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. I agree with him on a lot of issues but sometimes he comes across too "preachy" or belabors his point. Still a huge fan though!
January 22, 2020
There were some errors in editing and it repeated topics several times. Some good information relevant to current political issues.
June 18, 2020
It was just okay for me. I have been listening to David's podcast for a bit and most of what I have heard was in this book. There was some new stuff that I didn't know.
August 13, 2020
This guy is a moron and his book is pathetic.
April 20, 2021
Amazing content full of facts the media refuses to cover.
May 7, 2021
Love it. David Harris Jr has such a real, down to earth powerful and common sense voice that sheds light on the lies we're inundated with on a daily basis by the establishment media.
November 23, 2020
This is one of those books that's hard to rate because it is a man's personal journey through his beliefs and life, explaining why he believes what he does. David Harris Jr did an excellent job of sharing his passion for life and for liberty and the pursuit of happiness. His conviction is contagious. He not only shares his personal story in this book but also the facts that led him to his current stance on life and conservative values as a man and father in today's day and age.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews