This was an interesting book, to say the least.
The authors, throughout the book, are trying to connect a “professional speaker” like former President Barack Obama, who, because he is an African-American, that white America actually enjoyed listening to, the authors spend the majority of the book making the comparisons between Barack Obama, and others who utilize the African-American lingo.
Being an African-American myself, I’ve long since known that if us African-Americans, speak the “King’s English” we are much more readily accepted amongst white America than if we “ghettoize or ebonic-zise” are language, and then we wonder why we find yourself on the outside looking in.
The authors do have some good points throughout, such as the dominant majority groups in any country, tend to have a “bar” which the lesser dominant groups have to rise to, in order to earn some type of acceptance. I guess this is normal in a way, and it plays out in various ways throughout the animal kingdom itself.
But, language is not the only thing that gets us acceptance into the white culture. Also looks (you’ll notice that Barack Obama is not a very dark skin African-American, so that a pick him up some points right there), he’s also clean-cut without any tattoos that I know of, closely cropped hair without the braids and the dreads, smiles readily and looks to straight into the eyes when he is talking with you. So he has learned to master all of those traits, that enhance the opportunity for African-Americans to enjoy greater acceptance into the white dominated culture in America.
I’m very much the same way. I’ve learned a long time ago to speak properly, carry myself in a professional manner, smile and look people in the eye, talk clearly and enunciate when I speak, closely cropped hair (in my case, a bald pate), light complexion, professional fitting clothing, etc.
I think a lot of it comes from your overall background that you grew up in in the neighborhood that you are from. But if you going to find success at greater levels in the white dominant society of America, you have to leave a lot of those ethnic tendencies behind, and be able to fit in as best you can. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule once in a while, but even that depends on what that individual is “bringing to the table”.
This is a book that probably people of color will readily understand much more easily than Caucasians. That’s because it’s our reality, and we have to live it every day.
Overall, it’s an interesting read, it does tend to ramble all over the place with a very wide scope it’s trying to capture, and also, I don’t think it takes into account, that former Pres. Barack Obama is a polished politician, (as are all the politicians) with speechwriters, a staff that understands the demographics that he’ll be speaking to, and hours of practice every time he goes out into public. So, it’s not quite like comparing “apples to apples”, and if you take those things into consideration, former Pres. Barack Obama knew exactly what he was doing, when he was speaking to the various groups he was speaking to throughout his presidency. Remember how Hillary Clinton went to the black church, and started speaking in a “urbanized, religious tone” that seemed totally out of character for her? Of course she practice that as well.
Good book, enjoy it for what it’s worth.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
