What's Going On?: Personal Essays - Hardcover

Nathan McCall

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0679455892 ISBN 13: 9780679455899

Publisher: Random House, 1997

Synopsis

After the publication of his acclaimed autobiography, Makes Me Wanna Holler, a shattering and eloquent account of one man's journey from prisoner to reporter, Nathan McCall traveled and spoke to audiences across the nation. What he saw and heard from people of all backgrounds moved him to write this eye-opening exploration of the politics of race in America. In What's Going On, McCall firmly establishes himself as a commentator for our times, drawing on personal experience and current events to deconstruct the social, cultural, and political tensions that, in clearly seen and not so obvious ways, affect us every day.With his trademark blend of honesty, originality, and insight, McCall takes on some of today's most complex and controversial issues. In the chapter "Gangstas, Guns, and Shoot-'Em-Ups," he advances the debate over violent rap lyrics with powerful firsthand evidence of the harm macho pop culture does to young minds. In "The Revolution Is About Basketball" he shows how the stereotype of blacks' sports supremacy makes a casual game between blacks and whites turn gravely serious. "Old Town" looks at the racial unfairness present in the gentrification of historic African-American neighborhoods. Whether discussing the cultural significance of Muhammad Ali, defending Alice Walker and Terry McMillan from black critics, or illuminating the strained position of the black middle class, Nathan McCall is always straight-shooting and provocative.

Written with courage, humor, and an engaging voice, What's Going On is a book for every American.

About this title

Review

Former Washington Post reporter Nathan McCall won critical acclaim for his autobiographical Makes Me Wanna Holler, the story of his troubled youth, his criminal career as a young man, his three-year prison sentence for armed robbery, and his struggles to put his life together after his release. In this collection of essays, McCall addresses social issues and problems, filtering his comments through the lens of his own experience. Thus his commentary in "Gangstas, Guns, and Shoot 'Em Ups," recalls his youthful infatuation with The Godfather, and criticizes the dead-end fantasies of gangster rap. In "Men: We Just Don't Get It," he recalls the times he sexually assaulted women and looks at his own daughter with love and fear. He hopes she'll find someone who loves her, but is afraid she'll meet men who don't treat women with love and respect.

From the Publisher

"Sooner or later, every generation must find it's voice. It may be that ours belongs to Nathan McCall."
--Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0679455892
• ISBN 13: 9780679455899
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 217