Black Rage: Two Black Psychiatrists Reveal the Full Dimensions of the Inner Conflicts and the Desperation of Black Life in the United States

by William H. Grier, Price M. Cobbs

The first book to examine the full range of black life from the vantage point of psychiatry, this widely acclaimed work has established itself as the classic statement of the desperation, conflicts, and anger of black life in America today. Black Rage tells of the insidious effects of the heritage of slavery; describes love, marriage, and the family; addresses the sexual myths and fears of blacks and whites; chronicles how the schools fail the black child; examines mental illness among black people and the psychic stresses engendered by discrimination; and, finally, focuses on the miasma of racial hatred that envelops this country, why it exists, and what will surely happen if it is not soon dispelled.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Race, Sociology, History, Science, American History

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read, although slightly dated by its references and late 60's culture. I say slightly dated because some of the points made are still very prevalent to this time and bear attention. I definitely recommend this.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this quickly when I was in grad school and wish I had written a full review. It will have to go back on the "reread" list. What has stayed with me is the question that Cobbs famously asks, "How do you tell the difference between a sick man and a sick society?" As a therapist, this question lives in me and works me fully, wherever I go and with whomever I sit.

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pretty interesting since it talked about the psychological effects of slavery and racism on modern day (when it was written in the 60s but the message still applies to today) Black people. The book started off by giving specific experiences of Black people and explained how different groups of Black people had different issues. For example how Black women were made to think that they are useless and only good for sexual use and how Black men were made to think that they are stupid and shouldn’t pursue any significant jobs. It shines light on the serious issues that racism causes Black people mentally, and how it’s displayed later physically. I didn’t agree with everything in the book, especially because it was written in the sixties so certain things the authors wrote weren’t super prevalent now. For example, he referred to many Freudian concepts such as penis envy and the oedipus complex, and he also made many prejudiced remarks which would likely not have been written today. One part of the book I didn’t agree with was when they talked about women. This book was written by a man in 1968 so when he speaks for women as a whole, he definitely makes some good points about how Black women’s self esteem is generally lowered because of slavery that subjects Black women to any man, the euro-centric beauty standard, the fear that if a Black woman is beautiful she will be targeted sexually, etc. However, I did not agree with much of what the authors were saying about how sex is always a degrading act of a man towards a woman. They said that women can still enjoy the act but at the same time they would be submitting to a degrading act by a man but because they enjoy it, they aren’t negatively effected. He also stated that women use their narcissism to gain men’s attention and be viewed as sexual objects, which obviously is something a man would say about a woman because he perceives her in that way and expects her to do things to please men because that’s the society we grow up in. The author does then talk about how being pretty can also be harmful because it causes a woman to be a target, showing that she’s not always looking to be seen as a sexual object for men and that sometimes she does the opposite so that’s a good counter. But still, quite a few flawed points on women.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It is dated, put a lot of the parts are still relevant today. I wish we could get an updated perspective!

[Justin Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pity party. The authors use extreme cases in U.S. slave history as the basis for the race problems that still existed in the civil rights era. However, the slavery that they blame for infecting American race relations existed only in the Southern states, not in the north, west, or Pacific states. Blaming slavery, which had been abolished for a century, is passing the buck. For example, they say that beating a child actually has psychological roots in slavery. Although such a claim is illogical, Grier and Cobbs must have been able to draw this conclusion through psychology, which continually ignores reason, scientific methodology, and sound hermeneutics. Black parents who beat their children should blame themselves, not their parents, grandparents,...their great-great-great grandparents, their great-great-great grandparents slave masters, and especially not their great-great-great grandparents slaves masters descendants 100 years later.
Willing to blame others, specifically white Americans, leaves readers without a real solution. In a resolution that would be repeated by Public Enemy, _Black Rage_ suggests that black America say to white America, "'GET OFF OUR BACKS!'" The reason why is because white Americans have crushed the life from blacks. These figurative statements are not used to introduce any real solutions, but are simply followed with more allegorical suggestions. In blaming others, they take aim at religion for promoting self-guilt. They say that religion, especially Christianity, takes aim specifically at black America by giving them a sense of self-depreciation for having dark skin. Truth be told, initiating individuals into Christianity begins by agreeing that every person is a sinner in need of the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is the authors' own religion of Humanism that debases people on the premise of race, as demonstrated in Social Darwinism.
Since Grier and Cobbs refuse to offer a working solution, I will offer one for them. Forget their suggestions and adapt to traditional American society. Quit fighting white people, because most of us don't even see a conflict. "White" America is not based on the white race, but on European and American civilization. European civilization is not white civilization. Without the invasion and influence of Mongols, Mediterranean people, Jews, Christians, and Muslims (to name a few), European society is barbaric, polytheist, and primitive. To "white" America belonging isn't based on light skin or straight hair, but on participating with a common law, a common language, and a common religion, regardless of appearance.
I am glad I read this book because it helps me, a "white" American living in a white/Hispanic neighborhood, better understand the mindset of a group of people less prevalent in my life experience.

[B L Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Rage by far is one of the most important books for The Black Person in America, for many reasons:
1. It provides some well needed understanding of the context in which Black Rage is experienced in every Black Person in America
2. It affirms the internal process in which every Black Person in America undergoes as they experience being born and living in a nation that despises Black People.
3. It covers everything from Education, Parenting, The Work Place, and many other settings and experience, in which Black Rage is experienced.
4. Black Rage elaborates on some of the cultural norms of Black Society, that has deep roots in racism, and the oppression that later on continued in The Jim Crow and New Jim Crow Eras.
5. And lastly, It's a strong resource for building a consistent argument against members of this nation, who argue numb to the fact that racism is alive today, and that the problem with Black peoples is that we are too quick to throw "The Race Card".

With those 5 things, I would strongly recommend this book to every Black Person around the world, but more importantly to White People. For White People, it can give you a much more insightful understanding as to why it is a social norm for Black People to hold little trust in White People, as Strangers, Employers, Teammates, Family Members, and friends. The roots are in racism, but the racist institutions that survive today, are what keep this social norm of mistrust from Black People of White People so relevant. So I would recommend this book to everybody as a valuable piece for you to read and keep in your family library. Thank you William H. Grier (RIP) and Price M. Cobbs for this insightful read! - Monk

[Gayatri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book within 3 days, and I never read books that fast. I had stumbled upon it at a local used book store where someone must have donated it.. and I just could not let go of the pages. I kept thinking about my black boyfriend and how understanding is incredibly important when in a relationship with a black person, but additionally when living in a society surrounded by ANY amount of black people. Regardless of if you're in an interracial relationship, are black yourself or neither, this book has touched my heart in a way no other book was able to. I think about it constantly, even months after finishing it.

It has crazy intense passages of black people's experiences and constant paranoia, though from the 60s, and detailed explanations of where they are rooted. I feel that the Black American experience is hard to understand without this book, and every liberal, social worker, advocate AND RACISTS need to be enlightened from the words of this book.

Throughout reading it, I could literally feel the fear and anger piercing the hearts of blacks even to say, and its sad to say this book is STILL entirely relevant in mid-2018. I pray that will change, and this book has taken the step in the right direction for it.

[richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it when it was published in 1968 and thought it was very good. Made a strong case as to why Blacks ought to be angry. Thought about it today when reading another book, The Art of Freedom. It must have made an impression. Had to add it to my list of books.

[Suave Marve · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book......for the 1st time 2 black psychologists delve into the mind of African Americans and the issues/situations that have psychologically impacted them generationally.....this book should be studied!

[Grump · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights in to the black American experience. Covers the racial/social frustrations womanhood, manhood, marriage, love, education and mental illness. Every chapter is a bummer. As a privileged white I was feeling shitty and guilty wondering if all this negativity was going to end in a solution. But the exposure of the negativity blacks experience from birth in America, is the beginning of a solution. The authors put it well:
"The tone of the preceding chapters has been mournful, painful, desolate, as we have described the psychological consequences of white oppression of blacks. The centuries of senseless cruelty and the permeation of the black man's character with the conviction of his own hatefulness and inferiority tell a sorry tale.
The dismal tone has been deliberate. It has been an attempt to evoke a certain quality of depression and hopeless in the reader and to stir these feelings. These are the most common feelings tasted by black people in America"

This really resonated with me. Seems to me that in order to heal and solve the problems of racial injustice, white America needs to learn empathy. True, deep, thoughtful empathy that goes beyond simply understanding the superficial problems of current race relations.

[Silvija Almanaitytė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh! This book is one of those which will make you feel!
It can help you to understand how black people were thinking and feeling towards the white people back in 68', and it's extremely intresting.
I have not grow up in US therefore its difficult for me to relate with cultural events however looking from the human perspective I think people just need to let it go and stop blaming others.
I am from Lithuania so we are whites who were occupied by whites; oppressed, no-mother-language-speaking-in-public nation. And so? Does that mean that if I cannot have something is the Russians fault? It's my responsibility. Everyone has choice!
What about African countries enslaving African people? Why the psychotherapist did not talk about that for a change?
Every civilization has enslaved, slauter and rape other nations. That's how the world operated.
Nonetheless the stories that were presented in the book are valuable and must be properly treated: as an experience and opinion.

[Shenard Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the material covered in this book remains relevant until this day. Too often we find ourselves struggling with the notion of how to overcome generational ails only to find ourselves complicit in the perpetuation of the crimes against blackness. Triggering for me in this read, is the desire to not only diagnosis the troubles of black men, in particular, but to “identify” who we are as symptoms of a larger illness, which is racism. That is the causal misrepresentation we are all struggling to rid ourselves of.

[Malcolm Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cannot be understated, I believe it is essential for every black woman and man at some point in life to read this as it truly speaks to the black experience then AND now. When I finished I felt I truly had read something of value that is transferable to others. Most importantly, I have come to understand the roles and actions of my parents and family throughout my life. Essential reading

[female menace · Rating 5 out of 5]

i started reading this in the store and had to buy it because i couldn’t put it down. It was bewildering how relevant all the topics were to this day. Kinda sad also. But the insight on especially the mental heath and the relationships was really deep for me as a black woman. Things I didn’t even realize i was doing or thinking were pointed out as effects of the past. wow I’d recommend this book to every black American

[jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published in the mid 1960's, and the psychiatrists have a very Freudian view. Therefore, women are nearly invisible except short chapters on women's two functions: as sexual prizes for men, and as nurturers for the family. Notwithstanding that, the analysis of black rage and the internalization of white racism is spot on.

[Ricky Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep this in mind that this book was published in 1968. The use of "Negro" is prevalent throughout the book which is something I am not used to deal with. But the content that William H. Grier and Price M. Cobb has covered made me, as white man, see the different perspectives. From the lens of Black people. Highly recommended.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great treatise on the state of Black psychology.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's from 1968, so I don't know how pertinent it is. We certainly still have systemic racism and people who know not to speak out if they want to keep their jobs.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written in 1969 and still relevant today. Brilliant, a must read for understand the inherited trauma inflicted by white supremacy on the black population

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wondered why this book is not part of the curriculum for new students and seasoned clinicians within the field. This book was thought-provoking and reflects both the past and the present landscape of North American society. Interesting perspectives were offered that may be beneficial for professionals within the healing services spaces to review.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 8 1/2 of the 10 chapters of this book for class. Never had a chance to finish the rest, and now I'd rather read other things. This was an interesting book, though I fail to see what makes it a psychiatry book, because it seems more like plain psychology (not a lot of mention of medicines). At times I felt taken aback by just how Black Nationalist it was, and also how it literally views the US as only black and white, but that's appropriate for 1968, when it was written. I'd be interested in seeing each chapter re-examined and re-written for now, where the US concerns itself with three colors: black, white, and "Mexican" (meaning, to most Americans, anyone brown who speaks or should speak Spanish). It was disheartening to see how much of the problems outlined in the book still exist today, and how little we've moved forward since slavery or since civil rights.

[Miriam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Caveat: I didn't (couldn't) finish the book, which is highly unusual.

There is no systematic analysis of what differentiates the black experience from white experience. The book is a series of case studies. Anytime a patient discusses rage as a result of being black, the authors note that the experience isn't entirely unique to the black community, but then fail to explain why the trauma arises out of being a visible minority within a dominant white culture.

I was hoping for better.

[Rich Wertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting that the book takes place a scant half generation in the past and yet the dynamics of society have changed so much for Black Life- so much so that the book almost seems out of date. But it provides a definite reference point for examining the evolution of minority life toward its present state.

[Mike Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

i found black rage still relevant to race and also class in 2008. i haven't read case study blurbs like this since taking psychology classes in college; the format - extrapolating social truths and psychological conditions from real studies is both informative and even somewhat entertaining.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

some powerful shit. everyone in the universe should be reading this.

[Latasha]

This reads black life but my book has black man's life in America.

[Jade Arike · Rating 3 out of 5]

sexist.

[Michael Canganelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The slave experience in America has profoundly influenced Black life through to the current day.

[Msimone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book written in 1968 unravels the origins of violence of the black movement post Malcolm x and Martin Luther King Jr. through analysis of the black psyche. Some of the analysis is believable but much is not and I do not know the extent to which the analysis is based purely on anecdotal case studies. but this does not weaken the argument which is that blacks have been oppressed and ignored too long and their civil rights have been abused so much that even the most skeptical reader must accept that mistreatment of blacks led to psychological and physical torment of the Negro whose strongest have learned to survive by just accepting situations to protect themselves and their progeny. From slavery to reconstruction to reformation to emancipation, blacks rising up against injustice, blacks travelled roads slowly to deliverance from oppression. They learned to survive by reinforcing stereotypes and fulfilling expectations of their oppressors which bought the black man time, but at a great cost- self esteem, personal diginity, and self development. Violence was an alternative to claim what should have been been pridefully and rightfully theirs. The road to rage was the balm to frustration, the net to stop the descent to madness and the spiritual to rise from depression because the dream for freedom had been too long aborted. This book looks into the troubled psyche of blacks as a result of delayed justice, and provides a context for black rage.