Race Rules

Navigating the Color Line

By: Michael Eric Dyson

Narrated by: Michael Eric Dyson

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

America's leading young black intellectual reveals the hidden rules of race that dominate politics, society, and cultural life. The author discusses the state of Black leadership; the Black Church and sex; Black youth, pop culture, and the politics of nostalgia; why in a color-blind society race will continue to rule; and other important issues. Michael Eric Dyson, former welfare father, and now an ordained Baptist Minster and Princeton Ph.D., is professor of Communications Studies at the University of North Carolina.

©1996 Michael Eric Dyson (P)1996 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

Critic reviews

"... a strong, timely, and important book... a work that lets nobody - including its own author - off the hook." (Jonathan Kozol)
"...Dyson offers a prescription for a world in which race would no longer rule... " (E. Lynn Harris)

Does

The book was read and flowed very well. It was a fast listen. I appreciated Dr. Dyson’s academic, yet social perspective of some of the major issues that plague Black Americans. I particularly appreciated the time spent clarifying the aspects of leadership provided by the various Black leaders of the country. This clarification helped bring about a greater understanding of why there is difficulty within the Black populous to merge because of the various perspectives from which the problems are presented. A very interesting point made in the book was the relevance of the OJ Simpson case to major issues of Blackness in the country. An inference was made that the general populous of Black America does not know the actual causes of our current state of social status. Factually, in many ways, I fall within that group.

The insights revealed some of the possible reasons that Black youth of demonstrating the patterns of behavior that we see now was well done. Understanding these reasons may open some dialogue of possible approaches to bringing about a change in the direction Black youth are taking. Even though there had been disconnects between society in general and the courses for which Black Americans have taken, Dr. Dyson did not really engage in presenting a meaningful solution for recapturing our youth. His notion that a close examination of the messages within gangster rap could lead to solutions did not seem to be a significant or viable solution to the ills of the disconnect exhibited by Black youth.

Leadership that emphasizes Quality and Excellence in a way that is supportive of ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, academia, and national pride may well be the answer. This book is definitely worth the time it takes to listen. The book can be particularly uplifting for many Black women whom Dr. Dyson amply and accurately elevated in this book.

Excellent Read!!!

I was able to better understand just exactly how Races Rules from another person's perspective and it was very enlightening.
I found this book very informative of why Blacks can never really get over the hump no matter how hard they work. To be written in 1996, this book has a ton of answers to the issues we are experiencing in 2020.

Not surprised much

Dyson takes on the gulf between black and white by sampling sensitively the letter of a disgruntled white American.

It's impressive and needed knowledge. He narrated as though it was someone else's work, however. I never hear him speak like this on TV... so not him, so dispassionate and choppy.

Performance issues

This is an excellent book. I would have to recommend reading it instead because of the sound mastering. The entire audiobook is quieter than any I’ve listened to which is problematic for me in particular as I must listen at high volumes already. The volume difference between narrators is major, I can just barely hear the author but the woman who reads quotes was impossible to make out. An older recording that isn’t up to snuff.

Read what Michael Dyson has to say instead. It’s excellent.

Navigating Dyson's thought

Would you listen to Race Rules again? Why?

Yes, I will listen to this book again because the issues it addresses may change in in form, in their essence they are the same and Dyson picks up on that.

Relevant

I found the book informative, and particularly enjoyed the comparison of Colin Powell and Louis Farrakhan.

Brilliant

As usual Michael Eric Dyson's voice stands up to the timelessness of his subject. His connection of disparate figures in the Black struggle is enlightening. My favorite essay was the one on the Million Man March and Black Women and Patriarchy in the Black community.

A good sermon, even if you don't agree.

Published in 1996, so a little dated. Good on audio, Dyson has a good voice.

Loved it. very informative

Loved it. Very informative. Listened every free moment i had. I would recommend this book.

wonderful

like being seated in a classroom with and engaged and engaging professor.. learning room for his students to agree or disagree..and give facts..