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The Envy of the World: On Being a Black Man in America
With a compassionate eloquence reminiscent of James Baldwin's Letter to My Nephew , Ellis Cose presents a realistic examination of the challenges facing black men in modern America.
Black men have never had more opportunity for success than today—yet, as bestselling author Cose puts it, "We are watching the largest group of black males in history stumbling through life with a ball and chain." Add to that the ravages of police brutality, murder, poverty, illiteracy, and the widening gap separating the black "elite" from the "underclass," and the result is a paralyzing pessimism. But even as Cose acknowledges the systemic obstacles that confront black men, he refuses to accept them as reasons for giving up; instead he rails against the destructive attitude that has made academic achievement a source of shame instead of pride in many black communities—and outlines steps black males can take to enhance their odds for success.
With insightful anecdotes about a broad range of black men from all walks of life, Cose delivers a warning of the vast tragedy that is wasted black potential, and a call to arms that can enable black men to reclaim their destiny in America.
Black men have never had more opportunity for success than today—yet, as bestselling author Cose puts it, "We are watching the largest group of black males in history stumbling through life with a ball and chain." Add to that the ravages of police brutality, murder, poverty, illiteracy, and the widening gap separating the black "elite" from the "underclass," and the result is a paralyzing pessimism. But even as Cose acknowledges the systemic obstacles that confront black men, he refuses to accept them as reasons for giving up; instead he rails against the destructive attitude that has made academic achievement a source of shame instead of pride in many black communities—and outlines steps black males can take to enhance their odds for success.
With insightful anecdotes about a broad range of black men from all walks of life, Cose delivers a warning of the vast tragedy that is wasted black potential, and a call to arms that can enable black men to reclaim their destiny in America.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Ellis Cose
19 books26 followersEllis Cose is a former columnist for Newsweek, chairman of the editorial board of the New York Daily News, contributor and critic for Time, and columnist for USA Today. The author of numerous books, including the bestselling The Rage of a Privileged Class, he lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 12, 2018
Mandatory Read for boys and men of all Ages
This was a humbling yet inspiring read from a black man who not held me accountable but showed grace and understanding with not only his anecdotal stories but the research to remind me that I am not alone and also that there is so much that we as black men can do now to improve ourselves, relationships without families and mates
This was a humbling yet inspiring read from a black man who not held me accountable but showed grace and understanding with not only his anecdotal stories but the research to remind me that I am not alone and also that there is so much that we as black men can do now to improve ourselves, relationships without families and mates
April 21, 2022
I was interested to read this book and I learned a lot. I had to keep my from being judgemental as I don't have the lived experience.
I wonder how much and how little has changed for better or worse. The essential conclusions seem silid.
I wonder how much and how little has changed for better or worse. The essential conclusions seem silid.
September 13, 2018
A very good analysis of the Black male condition in America.
May 3, 2019
A great read for everyone!
October 6, 2019
Written so that all audiences can empathize, this book displays some of the most pervasive issues while also offering some potential solutions to issues primarily facing black males in the United States. A rollercoaster of despair and hope.
My one takeaway quote:
"We begin by recognising a simple fact: Though this may be the best time ever to be a black man in America (and here comes the all important fine print) [parentheses in original], you only prosper if you make it through the gauntlet. And that gauntlet is ringed with bullies armed with ugly half-truths with which they will try their damnedest to beat you to death. So what you must remember is this: Your best chance at life lies in rejecting what they - what much of America - tells you that you are, perhaps rejecting, in the process, ideas you have harbored for most of your existen if what it means to be black and male.
-Ellis Cose
My one takeaway quote:
"We begin by recognising a simple fact: Though this may be the best time ever to be a black man in America (and here comes the all important fine print) [parentheses in original], you only prosper if you make it through the gauntlet. And that gauntlet is ringed with bullies armed with ugly half-truths with which they will try their damnedest to beat you to death. So what you must remember is this: Your best chance at life lies in rejecting what they - what much of America - tells you that you are, perhaps rejecting, in the process, ideas you have harbored for most of your existen if what it means to be black and male.
-Ellis Cose
May 28, 2013
"...the chains that bind us will yield as well, provided that we attack them shrewdly." (pg. 148)
Ellis Cose makes some salient points pertaining to conundrum that exists in American for Black men, especially young black males.
A few of the topics covered in The Envy of the World: a peek into Cose's own journey through Chicago's public school system, America: the perpetrator behind the stereotypes of the Black man, the de-valuation of intelligence because being smart is not 'keeping it real' or being 'cool', the prison industrial complex & the spiraling out of control incarceration rate of African-American's and how both got its start, the apparent appeal of thuggish behavior and prison stints.
Two antidotes that I believe Cose is trying to prescribe are: education and mentorship; and how both of these can dramatically influence the lives of young black males in today's society. Many have said education is the key, but Cose reveals why many are not choosing that route and states the obvious repercussions of opting for the alternative. There are many examples in the book of mentoring programs and their positive results, but I believe Cose is attempting to relay that it will take more than just a handful of well-placed programs to make a significant difference. In order to affect change, combating the rising prison rate for African-Americans for instance, everyone must be a mentor, even if it is just merely leading by example.
Although much of this is not new, Cose's common sense approach rings resoundingly with the reader and makes it a valuable read. This is my first Ellis Cose book, but it certainly will not be my last.
Ellis Cose makes some salient points pertaining to conundrum that exists in American for Black men, especially young black males.
A few of the topics covered in The Envy of the World: a peek into Cose's own journey through Chicago's public school system, America: the perpetrator behind the stereotypes of the Black man, the de-valuation of intelligence because being smart is not 'keeping it real' or being 'cool', the prison industrial complex & the spiraling out of control incarceration rate of African-American's and how both got its start, the apparent appeal of thuggish behavior and prison stints.
Two antidotes that I believe Cose is trying to prescribe are: education and mentorship; and how both of these can dramatically influence the lives of young black males in today's society. Many have said education is the key, but Cose reveals why many are not choosing that route and states the obvious repercussions of opting for the alternative. There are many examples in the book of mentoring programs and their positive results, but I believe Cose is attempting to relay that it will take more than just a handful of well-placed programs to make a significant difference. In order to affect change, combating the rising prison rate for African-Americans for instance, everyone must be a mentor, even if it is just merely leading by example.
Although much of this is not new, Cose's common sense approach rings resoundingly with the reader and makes it a valuable read. This is my first Ellis Cose book, but it certainly will not be my last.
July 26, 2016
I highly recommend this book to all black males. It provides a framework for the disadvantages many blacks face in today's America, but it also shares solutions that can lead blacks and others to some peaceful reconciliation. This book debunks a lot of myths and misconceptions within the black community, with sound statistics and personal anecdotes. It is a sensational read!
Dr. James Williams
Author of From Thug to Scholar
Dr. James Williams
Author of From Thug to Scholar
January 2, 2017
As an 18 year old black man, reading this book gave me a detailed insight of the struggles of the black community. This book is refreshing because Rather than a pity party on the black community and blaming the entity of the white man, it puts responsibility on us and what we can and should do to improve the situation in the world. I recommend to anyone looking for an inspirational book about action in the black community.
June 9, 2014
The title of the book had nothing to do with the content which was a bunch of articles written by the author over the years. Not was there any explanation in the book for black men being "the envy of the world".
March 31, 2008
My mentor passed this on to me
December 7, 2013
I enjoyed the book but I wish I would have read it upon release. It seems a little outdated.
Read
July 18, 2013Another great book to read post Zimmerman verdict.
Read
October 8, 2014EVERYONE should read this book!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews