The Devil and Dave Chappelle: And Other Essays

There is not a book of essays I enjoy more than this one. It touched on so much, from why Harry Belafonte wasn't at Coretta Scott King's funeral, to universities owning slaves in the 1800s, to the justified reasons some black people don't like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice, to issues in sports. I never thought anyone would capture the position of "favorite essayist" from Alice Walker as Dr. Cobb did, but I could not put this book down. It was a history lesson and more, written from the perspective of a member of the hip hop generation. The topics he spoke on are socially and politically relevant, and will continue to be. This is an extremely important book.

If you're looking for essays that make you think about the contradictory state of race relations and a younger generation of black Americans in a very new light, this is a book you need to have. Don't borrow it: buy it. It needs to be read more than once. The essays are thought provoking and have several layersthat need to be uncovered. You can't do this is one reading. The writing is as intelligent as the thinking. I bought the book because of the title, but found the other writings as cogent and informative. An excellent book for a discussion group.

How does one classify a black author who excoriates the King family, lambastes Colin Powell, and weeps over the death of Jam Master Jay? Is he a "hip-hop" writer, a "counterrevolutionary" or a "neo-con"? William Jelani Cobb confounds the reader and demolishes the trite labels that the MSM would ascribe to him. Rather he is insightful, wry and at times tender, as when he describes his short-lived marriage and the heartache he feels missung his adopted daughter. Mr. Cobb's work comes at a pivotal time for black America. This is a period in which the gap between black "haves and have nots" is expanding, a time when we blacks are experiencing fantastic economic, educational and social success yet we are still killing each other by the bushel. I keep "The Devil and Dave Chapelle" by my bedside and have re-read several chapters. If not for the entertainment value, but for the refreshing insights he brings to a group of people who sorely need a new breed of thinker to chart the way into the future.

The sociocultural critique offered by the author represents the voice of a generation, my generation to be specific. The author does an exceptional job in articulating his ideas in language that is both easy to read and erudite. The essays in this book will feed the soul and are sure to keep the reader eagerly returning for more morsels - translation - this is a book that you need to add to your library and to your conversation. It will enhance your ability to dialogue about important social, political and cultural issues that ultimately impact all Americans. Don't hesitate on picking this one up.