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10 Commandments for Good Negroes
10 Commandments for Good Negroes seeks to understand what it takes for black people to be viewed as acceptable in public spaces by whites, especially white Christians in America. The book explores the longheld unwritten societal expectations that have served as unofficial guides for African Americans to navigate life in America and American churches while not making social or cultural waves.
109 pages, Paperback
Published April 19, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 25, 2022
Perhaps not all of us have had to be subjected to racial prejudice. Some individuals have been struggling to cope with this gruesome issue that has existed since the history of racial acquaintance.
The author took the liberty to pen down his thoughts, sharing to his audience what it takes to be an African-American living in the white community. I like the book’s introduction, which gives a comprehensive summary of the issue between white people and African-American people. From a deeper look into the matter, it sounds like the whites are somehow trying to push their viewpoints on the African-Americans without allowing them the freedom to express themselves. They want to dictate their thinking to the African-American people to feel comfortable and satisfy their egotistic principles. It feels like they covet to erase the African-American culture from the surface of the earth.
I love the organization of the author's thoughts. Each thought follows the other swiftly without losing track of the main message conveyed. I also noticed the book has no page numbers. Points are arranged systematically on each page. Outstandingly, the author gives the reason behind that at the end of the book. The book is a short piece composed of 10 commandments for good Negros and a list of what good Negros should do or not do.
The book’s contents reflect innovations that white Christians have put in place for African-American Christians. I find the commands to be quite interesting and weighty. You can imagine being molded to be someone you are not, only to be judged as acceptable by the other opponent. It sounds erroneous.
The writing style is incredible, expressed in an expository manner. I was impressed by how enlightening the book is, allowing the reader to grasp the various rules placed on African-American Christians by the white Christians to be viewed as agreeable by the white people, especially white Christians.
I can only recommend the book to readers who are curious to know more about the relationship between African-American people and white people. The book is also fit for readers eager to understand what it takes to be an African-American Christian.
The author took the liberty to pen down his thoughts, sharing to his audience what it takes to be an African-American living in the white community. I like the book’s introduction, which gives a comprehensive summary of the issue between white people and African-American people. From a deeper look into the matter, it sounds like the whites are somehow trying to push their viewpoints on the African-Americans without allowing them the freedom to express themselves. They want to dictate their thinking to the African-American people to feel comfortable and satisfy their egotistic principles. It feels like they covet to erase the African-American culture from the surface of the earth.
I love the organization of the author's thoughts. Each thought follows the other swiftly without losing track of the main message conveyed. I also noticed the book has no page numbers. Points are arranged systematically on each page. Outstandingly, the author gives the reason behind that at the end of the book. The book is a short piece composed of 10 commandments for good Negros and a list of what good Negros should do or not do.
The book’s contents reflect innovations that white Christians have put in place for African-American Christians. I find the commands to be quite interesting and weighty. You can imagine being molded to be someone you are not, only to be judged as acceptable by the other opponent. It sounds erroneous.
The writing style is incredible, expressed in an expository manner. I was impressed by how enlightening the book is, allowing the reader to grasp the various rules placed on African-American Christians by the white Christians to be viewed as agreeable by the white people, especially white Christians.
I can only recommend the book to readers who are curious to know more about the relationship between African-American people and white people. The book is also fit for readers eager to understand what it takes to be an African-American Christian.
January 18, 2022
Terrell Carter outlines the unwritten and seemingly universal expectations of white christians towards the actions of the black Americans. Using satire to put down the expectations rather referred to as the commandments he points out how racism is still so much among the least expected members of society. The Christians. Reading through the commandments I kept wondering if we still need to refer to the white American racists as christian. There is nothing so christ like in their expectations.
June 14, 2020
“A good negro is good enough, but not too good.”
Primarily this book lists out “commandments”, ie previously unwritten rules that black Christians have had to follow if they wanted to be ‘acceptable’ to white Christians. These commandments are written in a spiritualistic, and somewhat poetic style that I found to be quite endearing.
The introduction and author’s note at the end were both great aspects of this book. They provided deeper context for the commandments, and I found myself wanting to know even more about the subjects they discuss.
I wouldn’t necessarily consider this the most educational examinations of this subject. Rather, I would say that it’s an artistic articulation of social injustice within Christian spaces. While this may be an eye-opening book for some readers (particularly white Christians), I think it’s real strength is getting you to think more carefully about societal expectations of black Christians through the poetic nature of the commandments.
My one complaint is that the shortness of the text is somewhat of a deterrent, as I think many of these subjects could be expanded on. If you’re reading many books that discuss the topic of race and societal expectations, then you may find this lacking a bit in providing additional information. Though it has a fairly unique niche in the discussion around Christian spaces, and as I said, it’s more artistic than educational, so you’ll likely enjoy it regardless if the art of it interests you.
I will likely be picking up Carter’s next book, “10 Commandments for Good White Folks”, when it gets released.
I’d also like to thank Terrell Carter and Booktasters for the review copy I received for this book. It was thought provoking.
Primarily this book lists out “commandments”, ie previously unwritten rules that black Christians have had to follow if they wanted to be ‘acceptable’ to white Christians. These commandments are written in a spiritualistic, and somewhat poetic style that I found to be quite endearing.
The introduction and author’s note at the end were both great aspects of this book. They provided deeper context for the commandments, and I found myself wanting to know even more about the subjects they discuss.
I wouldn’t necessarily consider this the most educational examinations of this subject. Rather, I would say that it’s an artistic articulation of social injustice within Christian spaces. While this may be an eye-opening book for some readers (particularly white Christians), I think it’s real strength is getting you to think more carefully about societal expectations of black Christians through the poetic nature of the commandments.
My one complaint is that the shortness of the text is somewhat of a deterrent, as I think many of these subjects could be expanded on. If you’re reading many books that discuss the topic of race and societal expectations, then you may find this lacking a bit in providing additional information. Though it has a fairly unique niche in the discussion around Christian spaces, and as I said, it’s more artistic than educational, so you’ll likely enjoy it regardless if the art of it interests you.
I will likely be picking up Carter’s next book, “10 Commandments for Good White Folks”, when it gets released.
I’d also like to thank Terrell Carter and Booktasters for the review copy I received for this book. It was thought provoking.
August 1, 2020
10 Commandments for Good Negros is a satirical jibe aimed at the 21st Century America. While I fo feel like " In the 21st Century " should be added to the Title given (guessing) it's the rise in racism that fuelled it's authorship, I however concede the same "strange" rules apply to negros during and after slavery.
Spoiler alert!, the concise book's Commandments are more than ten!. They Commandments apprise the delimits of what's 'expected' of a negro in America with a tongue in cheek tone. The author basically advises negros to avoid trouble/violence even if they're oppressed and if trouble comes nonetheless, they should take it in good faith after all their ancestors suffered a lot worse. Negros should therefore be grateful for their new found freedom, forget their history even if it might repeat itself and soldier on with sealed lips. Negros should most importantly remember their place in America and the burdens of what's expected of them especially the Black Christians.
In closing, I wished the Commandments were each pregnant with say statistics or examples to buttress each command and such further writings should be in the same satirical tone. From the introduction however, I understand the author wrote the book to elicit debates and further discussions on said topic to which I say he succeeded given I've started writing poems off of each Commandment and I've never written poems before.
Good read on Goodreads, thanks booktasters once again for the link up.
Spoiler alert!, the concise book's Commandments are more than ten!. They Commandments apprise the delimits of what's 'expected' of a negro in America with a tongue in cheek tone. The author basically advises negros to avoid trouble/violence even if they're oppressed and if trouble comes nonetheless, they should take it in good faith after all their ancestors suffered a lot worse. Negros should therefore be grateful for their new found freedom, forget their history even if it might repeat itself and soldier on with sealed lips. Negros should most importantly remember their place in America and the burdens of what's expected of them especially the Black Christians.
In closing, I wished the Commandments were each pregnant with say statistics or examples to buttress each command and such further writings should be in the same satirical tone. From the introduction however, I understand the author wrote the book to elicit debates and further discussions on said topic to which I say he succeeded given I've started writing poems off of each Commandment and I've never written poems before.
Good read on Goodreads, thanks booktasters once again for the link up.
August 14, 2020
The author takes the reader on a journey through the daily life of a black American and what being a "good" negro is, according to the system. He grabs your attention as early as the introduction, where he discusses "controversial" topics like the shooting of Trayvon Martin and Kaepernick taking the knee. Carter points out how white christian Americans vilify the reactions of minority groups and see their uproars as unnecessary, for lack of a better term.
He goes on to list over forty commandments that negroes must abide by in order to be deemed patriotic. In all the listed commandments, it is clear how the system is built to limit the black man. In the words of Chimamanda Adichie, "you can be ambitious but not too much", Adichie uses this line to describe female oppression but it can also be used to describe what being a good negro in America implies.
You will notice that after the fifteenth commandment or so, the commandments all start to sound repetitive and a little exhausting to read, which in my interpretation is the equivalent of how exhausting it is to be a "good negro".
Another notable thing is how the pages are not numbered. According to Carter, it was in honor of how the biblical 10 Commandments were written. That, in my opinion is a lovely touch.
Overall the book is a great read and also an eye opener and hopefully other readers will understand even more what being black in America is like.
He goes on to list over forty commandments that negroes must abide by in order to be deemed patriotic. In all the listed commandments, it is clear how the system is built to limit the black man. In the words of Chimamanda Adichie, "you can be ambitious but not too much", Adichie uses this line to describe female oppression but it can also be used to describe what being a good negro in America implies.
You will notice that after the fifteenth commandment or so, the commandments all start to sound repetitive and a little exhausting to read, which in my interpretation is the equivalent of how exhausting it is to be a "good negro".
Another notable thing is how the pages are not numbered. According to Carter, it was in honor of how the biblical 10 Commandments were written. That, in my opinion is a lovely touch.
Overall the book is a great read and also an eye opener and hopefully other readers will understand even more what being black in America is like.
July 27, 2021
*I was given a copy of this book for a fair review*
Carter's novel, "10 Commandments for Good Negroes," is an informative approach in understanding what it is to be black in a white lead society. The commandments are short and sweet mantras that ultimately explore the unfair lives lived by black people in America. Each commandment represents the unwritten 'world view' expectations of African Americans over generations.
It was saddening to read this novel, yet I understood why it had to be that way, to me it read almost satirical, like a subtle uprising against white culture; however, I know it wasn't meant that way. A few of the commandments that stood out to me the most, (and I understand that this will be different for everyone):
15th Commandment: A good negro will only be happy as you let him be
19th Commandment: A good negro always acts appropriately, is not proactive, and appropriates the actions and attitudes of the majoirt appropriately
23rd Commandment: A good negro understands that his actions represent his entire race
35th Commandment: A good negro knows his presence affects property values
I believe that this novel is important for the understanding that black Americans will never be upheld to the same standards as white Americans, it isn't fair and we need to begin a new 'world view' where black Americans can rise up without consequence.
Carter's novel, "10 Commandments for Good Negroes," is an informative approach in understanding what it is to be black in a white lead society. The commandments are short and sweet mantras that ultimately explore the unfair lives lived by black people in America. Each commandment represents the unwritten 'world view' expectations of African Americans over generations.
It was saddening to read this novel, yet I understood why it had to be that way, to me it read almost satirical, like a subtle uprising against white culture; however, I know it wasn't meant that way. A few of the commandments that stood out to me the most, (and I understand that this will be different for everyone):
15th Commandment: A good negro will only be happy as you let him be
19th Commandment: A good negro always acts appropriately, is not proactive, and appropriates the actions and attitudes of the majoirt appropriately
23rd Commandment: A good negro understands that his actions represent his entire race
35th Commandment: A good negro knows his presence affects property values
I believe that this novel is important for the understanding that black Americans will never be upheld to the same standards as white Americans, it isn't fair and we need to begin a new 'world view' where black Americans can rise up without consequence.
August 31, 2021
How do I as a white person judge a book on race and how that race should act? I was raised in the South and moved West as a young child. I went to the schools that were predominantly black and mixed races of California inner cities and the majority white schools of MidWest USA. I probably was exposed to more than my own relatives. I grew up with ideas totally at odds with what I just read yet knew existed even in my own family. This is a book that we all need to read. While it's a book about black perceptions it is about any race that isn't white. But is that my white perception? I dont know but I pray that this world is changing. Living in Africa for past 10 yrs has opened my eyes to race and minorities even more. But with all I learn I know at the end of day I'm still a white woman trying to learn and help defend the rights of any lesser person. It's a hope that each of these topics should be discussed with our families to see how much we ecoect these things from those around us and if so, we are part of the problem.
I felt he barely touched some ideas and felt few were repeated that is only reason for 4 stars.
I felt he barely touched some ideas and felt few were repeated that is only reason for 4 stars.
January 31, 2022
A short, thought-provoking read.
Inspired by the increasing negative interactions that African Americans have had in public spaces with the police - this short, but powerful, book aims to open eyes and discussions around an often misunderstood topic.
While some readers might not understand the gravity of opening discussions and debates around the topic of racial and social injustice, most I hope will begin to look further into the news stories they would otherwise rush past.
A worthwhile read for anyone interested in becoming aware of the shocking injustice faced by African Americans on a daily basis.
Many thanks to Booktasters and the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Inspired by the increasing negative interactions that African Americans have had in public spaces with the police - this short, but powerful, book aims to open eyes and discussions around an often misunderstood topic.
While some readers might not understand the gravity of opening discussions and debates around the topic of racial and social injustice, most I hope will begin to look further into the news stories they would otherwise rush past.
A worthwhile read for anyone interested in becoming aware of the shocking injustice faced by African Americans on a daily basis.
Many thanks to Booktasters and the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2020
Terrell Carter writes the 10 Commandments for Good Negroes is a very different read, his writing style in this short read, I think is more about reflection in regards to how African Americans and black people in general are viewed from a perspective that is not from the African American descent.
I feel very emotional to what Carter is trying to put forward and I believe these types of awareness to others perspectives is the whole craze taking flight across the globe, and is very current to world affairs in contrast to "Black Lives Matter" .
Very thought provoking.
I feel very emotional to what Carter is trying to put forward and I believe these types of awareness to others perspectives is the whole craze taking flight across the globe, and is very current to world affairs in contrast to "Black Lives Matter" .
Very thought provoking.
July 1, 2020
An honest and direct read that shows how it is expected of Blacks in North America to be docile, quiet and basically invisible yet hard working for the benefit of others. They are the 'Other' working and existing for others. Terrell Carter gave a short but truthful account about the misunderstandings, mistreatments and misjudgments of how Negroes are viewed and treated. I appreciate the quick read in the commandment rule style form as the title states which adds to the overall point of this is how things are in North America and so Good Negroes must abide or suffer the consequences.
April 6, 2022
Very short, but each of the "commandments" (actually there are 42) could provoke a discussion. The author, a Black minister addressing a mostly White church, discusses what he sees as the unspoken expectations that create pressure even when Black and White people seem to be comfortably integrated. (In a longer review at my Blogspot I pick at some of those expectations.) Food for long thought, whether you identify as Black, White, both, or neither.
I think it's well and fairly written. It's not a religious book but it's written by a Christian whose purpose is to enlighten readers.
I think it's well and fairly written. It's not a religious book but it's written by a Christian whose purpose is to enlighten readers.
October 3, 2020
The book reflects the idea of an acceptable character expected of a negro in order to be considered a member of a civilized community. I disagree on a majority of the commandments which are centered around inequality and subjecting a negro to a life of mediocrity. It shrinks the idea of human right, justice and equality of negroes in a segregated society. Being a good negro shouldn’t place a limitation on you so you can be accepted by a system that encourages white privilege.
February 22, 2021
I'll keep it short was kinda underwhelmed book is less than 50 pages. it gives off a 48 laws of power vibe but with twitter like depth. I give it 2 out of 5. If the 10 commandments get flushed out bit moor than i can increase rating. Looking at it from a Moors(Moorish) school of thought left me smh. Talked with the author and found out why he wrote this book like this. Overall not good look on the blackamoor experience.
February 25, 2022
10 commandments of good negroes is a satiric list of some unwritten laws that black Americans are expected to obey to be acceptable by white Christians.
Even if you are not a black person living in the west, this book gives a realistic hint of the discrimination black people experience.
I love how concise it is written.
Thanks to book tasters and the author for granting me the opportunity to take a read for an honest review.
Even if you are not a black person living in the west, this book gives a realistic hint of the discrimination black people experience.
I love how concise it is written.
Thanks to book tasters and the author for granting me the opportunity to take a read for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews