Race Rules

Navigating the Color Line

By: Michael Eric Dyson

Narrated by: Michael Eric Dyson

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)

Well written analysis of the state of "Race Rules" in the 90's

Sadly most of the conclusions still apply today. There are different players, but the rules still apply.

very informative

This is a very interesting book. I am learning my history reading books like this. This book opens my eyes to some of the missed information of the million man march.

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

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

Amazing book. Horrible sound quality

This book was copy written in the 1996, but it’s amazingly timeless reading this work in 2022. Michael Eric Dyson provided a clear and concise synopsis of race relations that would benefit all readers to reflect upon regardless of race or background. Ahead of its time.

Sensational

Loved this book and the way everything is broken down for complete understanding. The speech was my favorite part.

Dr Dyson did it again

It seems that you keep your fingers on the proverbial pulse of the people. Thank you for continuing to keep it real.

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.

Great listen

Another great listen. Very educational and informative on so many different levels. highly recommended. Will read/listen again.

Good 1st step in trying to understand

Loved it. Still relevant over 20 years later. A step in addressing the problems.