Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority

The information in this book is well detailed to provide anyone a way out of this black inferiority complex.His way is not to see anyone higher or lower than you. Everyone is unique and has a role to play effectively no matter what their skin color looks like. It is mental slavery thinking that another is better or can do better than you because of skin color. As Bob Marley sang "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds....". Many have asked how this book has the answers. You will feel empowered, you will do better for yourself, your family, and your community after reading this book. You will never again be convinced that another is better than you because of your skin color. You will find your path and stick to it without allowing propaganda to distract you in any way.You will also want to work with others because an 'individualistic life' is truly a myth. All communities that make it in life work together.

This book is a real challenge, precisely because it is very hard to peg as a 'conservative' or 'liberal' take. I have to imagine that for that reason, it will not only challenge, but probably anger, a good many people.On the one hand, Burrell's book is centered around the idea that much lack of progress within the black community has been because American society has swallowed whole a persistent message of black inferiority. Started during the early days of American slavery as a way to rationalize the institution in a country built on liberty, and perpetuated during reconstruction and even the New Deal, blacks are often portrayed (even subtly) as not as smart as others, over-sexualized, aggressive, and a whole host of other negative stereotypes. This, so much that, in Burrell's words, even blacks themselves have become 'brainwashed' by these stereotypes. (For a more thorough discussion of the idea of 'stereotype threat' - the idea that a social stereotype can become internalized by the stereotyped, affecting her view of herself - see  Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do (Issues of Our Time) ).On the other hand, Burrell is not about waiting for society to undo this stereotype. Burrell seems to suggest (I don't think he ever really says it) that blacks themselves must be largely responsible for combating these stereotypes and overcoming by dint of their own efforts. This, perhaps, is the more 'conservative' side of Burrell, the side that is most like writers such as John McWhorter. Yes, racism and injustice exist. Yes, blacks have persistently gotten a raw deal in American society. But, black men and women cannot and should not wait for others to do something about it; as unfair as it may seem, the only way things will improve is if black men and women lead the charge by refusing to have truck with these stereotypes.Burrell takes this argument into such areas as the entertainment media (where he argues that blacks need to watch how they are being portrayed in genres like hip-hop), education (where Burrell seems to suggest that blacks might achieve best in Afrocentric or self-segregated schools), beauty (where Burrell wants to reclaim "black is beautiful"), and even black churches (where Burrell believes too many churches preach victimology or contentment with one's lot, rather than fostering ambition and self-sufficiency). Overall, Burrell's message is that once the stereotypes that have been perpetuated to the detriment of black men and women are uncovered, they can be challenged, but only if blacks are willing to bear the burden of tackling them head on.I am sure this book will be controversial, again, largely because everyone can likely find something to both cheer and take issue with. Conservatives (or libertarians) will probably agree (much to liberal chagrin) that self-sufficiency is the key, rather than engaging in victimology or waiting for injustice to be absent before believing that one can act effectively. Liberals and progressives will admire (and conservatives will dislike) Burrell's 'deconstruction' of how negative black stereotypes are used socially to reinforce themselves. Both sides will take issue with certain points. For my part, I am not at all sure whether Burrell is advocating for a sort of integration among 'races' or a separatism, and suspect there is some tension in his writing. For instance, Burrell sees no reason (I agree) why blacks can't achieve academically the same way other groups do, and is adamant that blacks shoot for being "the best x" rather than "The best black x." But he also advocates (in the chapters on education and beauty) a type of separatism that calls for self-segregated schools for black students and a rejection of 'white' images of beauty. But is it, as Brown v Board taught, ultimately futile to try and gain equality through separateness?Anyhow, a very thought-provoking book here, and one that will hopefully cause a good deal of discussion and action.

Book arrived in good condition. I haven't read it yet but print is good.

I thought I was reading a black history book at some point. To a very large degree I believe that the change and the revolution necessary within the African-American community, my community, must begin in our minds. And the only ray of light capable to swiftly enter a room of darkness is the light of education through the hole of history.Tom Burell's work aims to do just that 👊🏾

I was turned on to this book by a friend of mine, and at first I was reluctant to read it. I'm so glad I did. There were quite a few "OUCH!" moments for me. However, I'm a firm believer that you can't change what you don't confront. I loved the way the author broke each section down from an advertiser's point of view, as well as the historical origins of each issue that was addressed. Mr. Burrell very eloquently put into words many of my own thoughts, including the cringe-worthy "reality" shows where buffoonery by grown men and women alike is celebrated. It saddens me the way education is devalued in way too many households because it is somehow seen as "acting white." I will never understand how any child is actually given the choice to simply stop going to school. It breaks my heart when I realize the lengths to which our ancestors were willing to go to become educated and self-sufficient, and to empower themselves and their families. After reading this book, I feel very uncomfortable laughing at certain comedians. I stopped listening to or patronizing certain artists who devalue and defile Black women for profit a long time ago. Don't even get me started on how and why the N-word became so widely accepted, or why some of us are so willing to spend money we clearly don't have just to feel good about ourselves. I found myself nodding and shouting AMEN! numerous times especially when I read the open letter to Tyler Perry.Fortunately, the news isn't all bleak and Mr. Burrell offers several workable solutions. I intend to buy a few more copies of this book to share with friends and family, and would highly recommend it.

"Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority" offers an insightful deconstruction of how we have unconsciously internalised a black inferiority complex stemming from the transatlantic slave trade. Whilst I appreciate that this book was written about African Americans there are many points relevant to myself, a Black British woman. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter, as it talks about proactive ways we can unite to promote a message of a black excellence not based in an "us vs them" mentality which encourages unnecessary comparison nor excellence dependent on validation from other communities. I look forward to implementing the suggestions offered and to a time where all of us can breakdown the damaging stereotypes based on the colour of someone's skin.

This is an absolute must read for everybody. Well wrote and contains a wealth of knowledge about the effects of slavery in this the 21st century focusing on the psychological aspect. I could not put this book down as it addresses an issue that is still prevalent in our society and I wish more people would read it as it is fascinating in the way it covers a subject that unfortunately people find hard to discuss or do not want to discuss which I feel is the key point to educating people. I have passed this on to my children as I think it is paramount to them to have the knowledge contained in this book as schools and so called 'black history month' do not address this content and I am currently in the process of obtaining as many books as I can that explains their history to them (and this is just one part of it) as knowing your culture and history of your people good and bad alike is necessary to each and every individual. I have searched libraries and popular book stores and am disgusted that none have any books on caribbean history but contain pretty much every other culture on the planet.

This book is a must if you are studying how the image of African Americans are being portrayed in the media and how this has an effect on a global scale for men and women of African heritage, be it in Africa, America, Britain, The Caribbean, Europe and our brothers and sisters everywhere which I have not mentioned.As the book states again and again, the job depends on us changing the way we are branded...Be it through action or if we do not like what is being portrayed in the media, then raising our voices collectively and making a stance.This book just tells it as it is.Enjoy.

This book beautifully summarises the repressed mindsets that black people have unknowingly been subjected to. It's now the 21st century, it's time for meaningful change, this book is the perfect way to open the minds of our community, to get us working as a unit again and break down negative stereotypes going forward! Hats off to Tom Burrell - I couldn't have laid it out any clearer myself.

Great book, I found his tone a little...overbearing, shall we say, to start with but I would buy it again. Its a good loud wake up call to those of us still in denial, and to the enlightened among us it is good to read a book which highlights in a mostly loving way our collective failings as decendants of African peoples. Although written from the US perspective most points are very relevent for us in the UK. I'm interested to see if their has been an online community to create positive propaganda re peoples of colour, I will be looking into that real soon!!