Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?

Until now, I was not much of a of Charles Barkley fan. I always saw him as a "washed up bully" and ex-basketball superstar, still trying to cash-in on his name recognition and tying to keep it in the "limelight" by saying outlandish and provocative things. I no longer think that after reading this book, which I bought after seeing it, and Barkley "unceremoniously put down" in Larry Elders incredibly ill conceived, confusing and poorly written book called "Stupid Black Men." My thinking was that if Larry Elders didn't like Charles Barkley, then there must still be something good and redeeming about him that I had not yet discovered. And sure enough, there was: This book, which is a miniature masterpiece. Barkley is no "Stupid Black Man," as Elders has portrayed him to be. Rather incredibly, this book is the missing dialogue on race that America has never had, and may never have. It is just the opposite of Elders' "Stupid Black Men" and the "Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint two-man road show:" "Come on People," in which both take the fashionable "low road of least resistance: "Just attack Black men, and you are safe: America will love you, but nothing will ever be done, and nothing will ever change: End of the American dialogue on race. Perhaps for the first time in American history, we get a collection of what fourteen successful and well-known people have to say about race in America -- rather than mindless ideological tripe, oozing out as more "Christianized racism," from the likes of Armstrong Williams and Larry Elders. And what these fourteen people (most of whom are black) have to say will not only surprise Cosby, Pousaint and Elders, but the rest of America as well. Hear what Tiger Woods, Ice Cube, Barack Obama, George Lopez, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, and many others both black, white and other colors, have to say about the racism that still exists across the American landscape in every industry and in every town. Rather than steal the book's thunder, I will simply say this: If one wants to know what the racial situation is like in America, they would be wise to interview some successful black people and others who understand and know the consequences of racism rather than listen to the "hired conservative media hit men" who all speak the same language: "Uncle Tom-speak." Five Stars

This book is so much more than I expected. Charles Barkley gets influential people to talk openly about their lives, and what they see happening in our country today. The book is a series of conversations between Charles and such people as former President Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Morgan Freeman, and Tiger Woods. The focus is not on Mr Barkley, but on the topics of race, power, education and hopes for the future. He talks about his own life minimally, to keep the conversation going. Racism definitely cannot be put in the past tense. Tiger Woods is a young man, but he was called the N word in elementary school and on the golf course in the 1990s. Tiger just relates the facts of what happened, not at all whiny. Reading this book lets you see the life experiences of some incredible people. The book is definitely worth the money. I am going to pass this book along to others who may be deceived by the cover and title.

Refreshingly honest - Charles Barkley interviews a selection of famous personalties, many of them black, on the subject of racism in this country. Very down to earth - the title of the book alone makes you laugh - Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man? Everyone!!! Which is exactly why we need books such as this and movies such as "Crash", to take a good hard look at ourselves and begin to unravel the terrible web of racism in this country.

OK, I understand that some look at this as some celebrity interview book, but I see it as more. Sir Charles is always himself and his opinions are well stated. I happen to agree with a lot of what this book has to say. It has a pop culture edge but that is ok. Does everything have to be academic? It is enjoyable and has a good heart.

In this book you really do not hear from Charles Barkley so much. When he writes it is very simple and to the point, with very little humor (which is what he is known for). It is fascinating to read opinions and personal stories from Bill Clinton, Tiger Woods, Obama, and many other famous peronalities on their ideas about race and other issues in America. This book has very little to do with Charles Barkley, and if I were to read it blindly I would have never guessed that he wrote it. This book has a great compilation of contributors and it is worth reading just to learn more about them alone.