Why Black People Tend to Shout: Cold Facts and Wry Views from a Black Man's World

As a white female teacher in a mostly black area, I often discover that the students are the worst stereotypers of each other. They call intelligent well-spoken kids "whitey," and often try not to see that there is value in education and knowledge. Ralph Wiley shows intellect, a gift of satire, and gets into their heads to vocalize what many feel but can't say. I teach his essays in English and encourage my students to use them in dramatic reading competitions, "freaking out" the middle class kids who also attend. My students and I admire his honesty, wit and in-your-face attitude. He not only "calls out" whites, but blacks who hold themselves down and who hold down others as well. As they remind me, he "keeps it real!"

Ralph Wiley is a genius! This book had me laughing and inspired all at the same time. I wrote to Mr. Wiley and congratulated him on his straight talk. He responded to me in good time. I was even more impressed. His passing caught me by surprise. I purchased his second book, What Black People Should Do Now. It was also good.

Ralph Wiley is a Genius.his writing is on point & very honest.it pulls no punches about Race & the injustices.the Book hits you with Humor but also Realness that can't be ignored out here.a very important read.

The book was a scream! It was full of anecdotes that most of us as Blacks folks have experienced. The stories were funny but they were also disturbing because so many of the situations were blatantly racist. Black people do have to shout just to be heard. Then people wonder what all the shouting is about. This book is an easy and fast read. You are left shaking your head but with a smile on your face.

The book was provacative. It clarified issues for me and helped me to see the fallacies in our culture. Ralph Wiley is my favorite author and contemporary voice. Problem is that now I live in the Midwest and I can't catch Powerpoint. He is the bomb!