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Covenant propounds ten issues critical to the African American community with an introduction to each issue by an expert in the area followed by detailed facts to support it, point-by-point recommendations on what leaders and individuals can do to help and, finally, some examples of successful projects addressing it. It's edited by Tavis Smiley and written in a very accessible style while including input from some of the most distinguished leaders and thinkers in the African American community.

The presentation of some of the data seemed a little disingenuous to me, for instance citing a data point of the African American community without the context that might make it evident the problem is not limited to just the African American community. And so the tone of the book can seem a bit divisive and I definitely felt like an outsider looking in. Its disconcerting when a group as big and diverse as "African Americans" is presented as a unified block. Race in my world view is a mushy attribute - more of a continuum between black and white and anything else disturbingly harkens back to the "one-drop rule". The big "we" makes me wonder where along that continuum the author has drawn the line.

But nonetheless research conducted comparing African Americans and other communities demonstrates undeniable differences and so all of these quibbles are inconsequential to the overall value of the book. Its clear that African Americans in this country have an incredibly difficult climb fraught with disadvantages at all levels. The data appears to overwhelming indicate that special focus needs to be paid to African American needs. But lest you walk away thinking that the problems are insurmountable, Covenant includes thoughtful, diverse and practical recommendations on what could be done to help and examples of existing successful projects that are making a difference.

Covenant instills confidence that African Americans can attack key problems in their community if they pull their resources and work together towards a common goal. As a NY Times Bestseller its clear that the book is being read, but its more difficult to assess if the book has been successful at motivating readers to take action. No doubt it stands as a helpful resource that offers numerous ideas for leaders to start marshaling their own resources and campaigns in their local communities ( )

This covenant is not revolutionary," Tavis writes, "but evolutionary." This statement is a fair assessment of this text. This covenant with Black America is not controversial in any sense. Yet, anyone who picks up this book is guaranteed to learn something new.

However, it must be admitted, this text is a lighter load than Madhubuti's usual publications. This is, perhaps, for the purposes of reaching a larger audience.

The structure of the book is great. Each section offers suggestions on what the community can do, what each individual can do and what the leaders can do. In order for progress within the Black community to be permanent, change must be enforced from the bottom up and the top down, simultaneously.

I love the "What Works Now" sections. From the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to Thelma Harrison's 'Mama, I Want to Read", from National Black Family Technology Awareness Week to the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, The Covenant can become a link between peoples of various communities throughout the united states. Many of the issues that Black people in America face are similar. We need not re-invent the wheel. Smiley offers a collection staggering statistics, feasible advice and real-life examples of progress in action.

"I remember hearing Walter Mosely speak last year during the University of Michigan's Martin Luther King symposium. Of all the things he mentioned, I was most impressed with his discussion of his choice, his concerted effort, to publish his works through major publishing companies as well as Black-owned presses. It is the responsibility of established, successful authors to support Black companies. Thus, I was thrilled to discover Tavis Smiley's New York Times Bestseller was published by Third World Press.

There is one book that I would recommend along with The Black Covenant, this book has been one of my favorite collections every since I read it several years ago. Black Genius is a book that offers great ideas for the upliftment of people of color, but did not have the financial backing that The Black Covenant did/does. Black Genius is a collection of essays edited by Walter Mosely and a few other Black intellectuals, that offers ideas of uplift for Black peoples in the US.

Love,
Lhea J
http://blackbookshelf.blogspot.com/2006/05/black-covenant-black-genius.html ( )