Vernon Can Read! a Memoir

In finishing Vernon Jordan's book, I'm impressed by the fact of how important memoir's are to our culture. He is a black man who has not only done very well, but one who also has lived well by virtue of the fact that he began life within the warmth and care of two very nurturing parents who had the wisdom to cultivate his best talents, and those of his siblings, no doubt. As a Christian family, the values imparted were purposeful, deep and rooted in the dignity of equality even while social inequities were a part of our American life. That strength has seen him though the vagaries which always accompany the offensiveness of that inequity that alone can produce the injustice which undermines entire lives. There is little doubt that his has been a life of reserve and limited self expression within the context of the larger world upon that rise to esteem he has worked so hard and so humbly to achieve, and he acknowledges the fortunate guidance and commitment of his wonderful mother whose pride is unmatched as only a mother's can be. Under her tutelage and that of his dad, he has had the good fortune to meet and marry two wonderful women who've provided him with the care, intimacy and support his mother taught him to expect because he deserved that. Through that love, the beginnings of strength flower into a tolerance for life that can supercede hardships to enable the radiance of such warmth and excellence to be noticed by others and embraced by them for the benefit of others, confident in one's own purpose and direction. Part of his charm is that he lived during a time, obviously, when women were respected for their value and their ways, and men were willing to work for that privilege of romance and companionship that makes for healthy and committed relationships. It is particularly striking in that these qualities are seen in the life of a black man rather than where we are conditioned to view it, in a white man. That fact greatly enhances the value of his memoir to the African American population who have had few role models at so high a level of business, law, government and politics. Much of his success appears to be due to his incredible ability for self reflection along with the ability to make decisions that work in the wider world as he was able to define it for himself always keeping his mother (and others) as his chief confidant in her belief of his potential. It also shows the value of human potential through that love and confidence and its ability to transform our lives despite setbacks. It's a very worthy and candid look inside a world few can glimpse but many can learn from, and should be an inspiration to all of those who embark upon his journey through his revelations. To whites, it should dispel myths and satisfy curiosities about the reliability and excellence of executives in people of color, and show that it is the style, character and personality of the person rather than the color of the skin that is the real difference.

Until reading this uncommonly personal and revealing memoir, I knew very little about Jordan the human being although I was already well-aware of his public career which includes leadership positions in the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, and the Urban League as well as subsequent prominence in the private sector as (for lack of a better term) a "powerbroker" in Washington, D.C. while continuing to serve on the governing boards of several major corporations. Unfairly, I think, he is most widely recognized as the friend to whom then President Clinton turned for assistance when attempting to help Monica Lewinsky obtain a job after that scandal began to unfold. In this memoir, however, Jordan limits his attention to the years ending in 1981 when he resigned from the Urban League. Whatever differences there may be between him and Jack Welch (obviously there are several), both men credit their mothers with giving them the values, determination, and encouragement needed as they took on progressively greater challenges while encountering progressively more formidable obstacles. I was especially interested in Jordan's straightforward explanation of his differences with other black leaders, notably his determination to work within the economic system (capitalism) to achieve social and political objectives. He also disagreed with those black leaders who supported the Palestinian cause and thereby exacerbated black-Jewish relations. Jordan seems to be a consummate pragmatist, determined to produce desired results (e.g. a higher standard of living and a better quality of life for all have-nots, whatever their race) rather than merely indulge in self-serving rhetoric and public posturing (e.g. conducting press conferences in conjunction with crises to generate personal publicity). In this book, he shares dozens of anecdotes without at any time seeming self-serving. "Vernon can read!" but he also knows how to forge alliances, to open and then nourish channels of communication and cooperation, and -- in process --to celebrate his own humanity in ways and to an extent no resume could possibly indicate. If and when he deems it appropriate and is so inclined, I hope Jordan will shift his attention to the last 20 years and again discuss his experiences, not as a public figure but as a man with much of value to share.

Not necessarily an "easy read" because of the extraordinary breadth and intellectual precision of the author, it's clear that this is an enormously important memoir, although I have just begun it. It's primary value lies in the fact that the author permits a glimpse of the indignities and attitudinal limitations under which black people (and minorities, by implication) have been forced to endure in spite of their "freedom" and the number of somewhat "expanding opportunities" offered in the professions. He also offers a view of the kinds of successful attitudes required to make that transition from previously outcast to ultimate insider status, an important perspective for all races and both genders to understand and consider. Whether this was intended or not by the author is unclear, but memoirs always seem to teach far more than initially planned because they provide a review of the options available to the author, those chosen, and often the basis for those decisions. In addition to giving critical history during a unique period in American life from a perspective not often reported upon, it provides an opportunity to "fill in" important gaps in historical governmental, civil rights, social and business maneuvers over the years. In addition, it gives an honest and candid look at the social orientation of blacks, their hopes and dreams, and the potential (or lack thereof) for achieving those. My projection is that the memoir will become a classic resource to define the kinds and quality of programs which are likely to work, and those which are not. The author is to be commended for his courage and willingness to reveal his innermost thoughts as a guide for others interested in making the transition from a race and class based society to one converted to a logical and rational all-inclusive world that can be used to abridge the presumed differences among all people that are usually more myth and fiction than fact. It is beautifully and earnestly written, and shows not only that Vernon can read, but he can also write. Highly recommended!

"Vernon Can Read!" is a joy to read for anyone with the slightest interest in the serious issues in American life for the past fifty years. This is an amazing book. As a very young man, Vernon Jordan deftly understood what America's potential could be. He continued to express the ordinary angers at the injustices commonplace after only "one biblical lifetime (seventy years) after slavery". But, most importantly, he had the savvy and personal intuition that constitutional democracy and life's natural transit through time-space could be leveraged in ways yet unattained. Here is an engaging memoir of the personal journey through that reality. Like others who knew Vern from old school days, we can attest that it is told with modest, personal authenticity of those events and relationships and their choices that shaped the future of a brave, decent and honorable man who has become a legendary figure of our time -- too often a rare combination. In addition, some readers may find here another testament, "food for thought" in his family's tradition, on nurture versus nature. It is one of the greatest stories of Coming of Age in America, and America is by far the better for it.

I love history and this was a wonderful walk through history. I actally lived these episodes along with Vernon Jordan as have millions of other Americans. I'm a year younger than Mr. Jordan so we traveled many of the same experiences. His was a little toughter than mine as I was born in the west, but not that much different as I'm still black.His book is refreshing and cleared up a lot of rumors I'd heard about him through the years. It was wonderful to learn of his devotions to his wife Shirley. I too did the Madison and shook many a tail feather back in the day. I'm proud of Vernon Jordan and I'm proud of his accomplishments. I am in politics and wish I had been as wise as he was and is, because pro bono gets tired after while. But somebody's got to do it, sometimes.He has been a wise man and had wise and wonderful counsel from his parents and friends. Glad he was able to separate the wheaat from the chaff though. I just loved the book and will recommend it to everyone. I have some Caucasian acquaintainces who need to read it. Perhaps they will recognize themselves in some of the portraits Vernon has painted. They are still practicing the same stuff.Good book. In fact I ordered it on tape but couldn't wait for it to arrive. I'm going to give the tape as a gift to someone else. I had to get the book and read it. Did it in two days. Clever and wonderful title! Annette Gordon-Reed helped him do an excellent job.