The Covenant with Black America

by David Satcher, Tavis Smiley (Introduction)

Six years' worth of symposiums come together in this rich collection of essays that plot a course for African Americans, explaining how individuals and households can make changes that will immediately improve their circumstances in areas ranging from health and education to crime reduction and financial well-being. Addressing these pressing concerns are contributors Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general; Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of the research think tank PolicyLink; and Cornell West, professor of Religion at Princeton University. Each chapter outlines one key issue and provides a list of resources, suggestions for action, and a checklist for what concerned citizens can do to keep their communities progressing socially, politically, and economically. Though the African American community faces devastating social disparities--in which more than 8 million people live in poverty--this celebration of possibility, hope, and strength will help leaders and citizens keep Black America moving forward.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, African American, History, Race, Sociology, Essays

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[AngiJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very easy read. The compilation of essays highlighted some stark disparities between African Americans and White Americans that makes one think twice about whether it's time to do away with the labels and distinctions. Most helpful were the suggestions to both individuals and policy makers on the actions we can take to change things. The sobering statistics regarding familiar issues(healthcare, incarceration, college graduates) and not so familiar issues (digital divide, plight of rural Black America, and environmental justice) helps the reader become more aware of the current state of affairs. If everyone was dedicated to make change in these 10 areas,we'd have a serious revolution on our hands. And perhaps we could move on to things that weren't addressed in the book - the war on drugs and the growing scarcity of the two parent household.

[Lauren Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s really 3.5 ⭐️. It was a very informative read. I didn’t read it at the time of publication but it was still good. It read like a textbook. I loved the statistics and personal stories that shows evidence of the covenants.

[Ski Chills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

[Mytresa Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Date started/date completed: March 5th/ March 23

Total Pages: 205

Rating of book (1-10): I give this book a 7.95

If this book had gone one more chapter, what would have happened? Explain.: THis book talked about Black America and it was full of statistics and ratios between blacks and other races. I really enjoyed the book because I enjoy statistics and things like this. However i think, because im a teenager, that it would have been fun to read a chapter about teenage statistics in comparsion to other races in relation to sex, drugs, education and things like that. Other than that though everything in this book was centered around black adults and government, business, and education.

Author’s purpose: I believe the author wrote this book because he saw how we (as a people) are falling behind other races, not only because we dont want to help ourselves but also because we dont know how we are hurting and holding ourselves back. This is the type of book that would open yours eyes to things like this and I believe it did a good job.

Intended audience(s): The audience are black people who are ignorant to the economy and dont want to help themselves and our people. We can be so much more progressed as a people of we werent so dependant on others. We have to change to see a change.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite what you've heard, not all truths are self-evident...

The Covenant with Black America is a profound literary work that reveals the truths about America and its tenuous relationship with the African-American community. After an introduction by Tavis Smiley, leading authorities cover agendas that should be of major concern to all African-Americans: healthcare, education, employment, environment, etc.

The information included in this book shouldn't be anything you haven't heard before. If you are not familiar with the state of the African-American community as it pertains to issues such as health, wealth, justice, etc..., then you may want to educate yourself by reading this book and others like it. If you have heard some of this before, but only as conjecture, then The Covenant will make it factual by providing the statistical evidence. If this seems like the "I've heard all of this before" sort of talk, then chalk it up as a much needed reminder of the prognosis of a people if nothing is done to aid, educate, and advocate for said people.

Tavis Smiley and others have done a great service to all by publishing this book. This book is a necessity; not only is it intended to provoke thought it is intended to provoke action as well.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked to see family-friendly policies featured as one of the covenants. This omission was a gaping hole. Numerous places in the book call out the importance of parenting & families yet elevating the status and ability to provide care-giving was not emphasized. Paid mat/paternity leave, quality/affordable childcare, parent support, pregnancy and breastfeeding anti-discrimination......all incredibly impactful issues that should have been prominent.

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt it was enriching for the soul. This book proves that most, if not all, of the problems in the world have viable solutions out there but that often times the thing that prevents the proposed solution from taking effect is a lack of political will. It's a good book in the sense that it gets the reader thinking and asking "why" and "why not". Overall, I recommend this book to everyone and it helps that the book is a relatively quick read.

[Eugenia]

URL: http://www.covenantwithblackamerica.com/

Also see this diary on Daily Kos on Smiley's efforts to keep the pressure on the top GOP candidates for skipping this Thursday's GOP debate at Morgan State University (due to "scheduling conflicts"): http://www.dailykos.com/hotlist/add/2...

[SunnyD · Rating 1 out of 5]

*yawn* sorry...i just could not get into this. the ppl who need to read this the most, won't. and the ppl who are/will read[ing] it are either already fired up about the issues, or tired of hearing about them. or like me, just getting tired of tavis... *ducks*

[Chris]

A great book for new ideas on improving the current state of African-Americans in the USA. Also gives great recommendations of other idea driven books for those interested in an overall change state here in this country.

[Yasmine Jameson]

I finished this book. It was an interesting read. Different persons in black america and their take on societal woes. But you have to read for yourself to make a decision. I finished this a while ago. I am just dating it current

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read for black Americans and those who support a genuine racial equality.

[Sava Hecht · Rating 2 out of 5]

African Americans who want to make a difference should definitely read this book. There is much to learn, and more than much to do to create economic parity.

[Tracy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a real informational book for people to read. Especially if they have children and want them to be active in their communities, churches and be an all around good person.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!

[Michael Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tavis painted a solid picture about the state of Black America and the information he discussed in this book was powerful!

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong start to opening eyes to issues in America. Need to place action behind words to find success. Seeking more information from local gov. to make changes at the foundation!

[Bedstuy2def · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a blue-print for ideas to solutions for social issues in the black community.

[Leigh Cross · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brilliant idea that doesn't quite pan out.

[D Kimbrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things you should have an idea about....