Black Man Emerging: Facing the Past and Seizing a Future in America

In the face of centuries of institutional and interpersonal racism, in the light of the signals they receive from society, and given the choices they must make about what they want from life and how to go about getting it - how can Black men in America realize their full potential? This work is a psychological and social portrait that reflects their personal views on the struggle of Black men against oppression and for self-determination. Using numerous case histories and biographical sketches of Black men who have failed and those who have prevailed, the authors describe strategies for responding to racism and entrenched power - underscoring the healing capacity of religion, family, Black consciousness movements, mentorships, educational programmes, paid employment, and other positive forces. They also explore the concept of identity as it applies to being Black and male and the influence of Black men on American culture.

Table of Contents:
Part I The Present and the Past: Current Voices1 Historical Traces; Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Beginnings; Chapter 3 An Opposing View: The Black Construction of Social Reality; Part II Contemporary Images and Expressive Styles; Chapter 4 Contemporary Black Male Images: A One–Sided View; Chapter 5 Cool Pose, Rap, Hip–Hop, and the Black Aesthetic; Part III The African–American Male: Masculine Alternatives and Psycological Challenges; Chapter 6 Masculine Alternatives: The African–American Perspective; Chapter 7 The Black Male: Major Psychological Challenges; Chapter 8 Biographical Memoirs I; Chapter 9 Biographical Memoirs II Searchers and Achievers; Part IV Major Influences on African-American Masculine Development; Chapter 10 The Influence of the Family; Chapter 11 The Role of the Peer Group; Chapter 12 Neighborhood Influences on Black Masculine Development; Part V Interventions, Recommendations, and Conclusions; Chapter 13 Fatherhood, Manhood Training, and Education; Chapter 14 High–Risk Youth, Rehabilitation, and Extending Outreach; Chapter 15 What Next? Confronting Racism;

About the Author :
Joseph L. White is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine and the recipient of the 1994 Citation of Achievement in Psychology and Community Service from President Bill Clinton., James H. Cones III works at the University of California, Irvine, where he is Lecturer in Psychology and African American Studies and Clinical Services Director and Assistant Director of the Counseling Center. He is also Lecturer in Women's Studies and African American Studies at UCLA.

Review :
"A wide-ranging thoughtful look at the history of black men in the U.S. that takes a position on how to repair the damage of racism." -- Booklist "Black Man Emerging is an important addition to the literature in Black Studies and Black Psychology. It is also an important contribution to the psychology of the African American male experience." -- Halford H. Fairchild, Pitzer College "...a useful and intelligent synthesis of socio-psychological factors pertaining to the African American male. Over the years, I have read a number of books evaluating aspects of the psychology of African Americans, and this book certainly occupies a place among the top contributors." -- Robert V. Guthrie, Ph.D. "...a clear, balanced, and comprehensive report on black men in America. Deftly weaving social science, social philosophy, and biographical stories, a sensitive and nuanced account of black men emerges. It is an easy and compelling read and a valuable contribution to our understanding of black men and their understanding of themselves." -- James M. Jones, author of Prejudice andRacism "Trying to repair the damage of racism on the black male ego is a formidable task. Two black male psychologists have taken up the challenge. White and Cones combine forces to give an inside perspective on the experiences of black men in America. ..Not just for black men, it should be read by anyone interested in knowing where brothers are coming from." -- Black Issues "In this wide-ranging, emphatically positive account of what it means to be a black man in contemporary America, White and Cones...provide a welcome antidote to discouraging headlines of violence and unemployment. Despite the inescapable complications of racism, most black men hold jobs, pay bills and taxes, and help raise kids just as most white men do. The authors' eloquent call for biracial dialogue offers a way to reduce the perceptual gap that denies this truth...Recommended for all collections." -- Choice