Between God and gangsta rap : bearing witness to black culture

Offering a multifaceted view of African-American issues, a collection of essays brings together writings on music, religion, politics, and identity under such headings as "Testimonials," "Obsessed with O. J.," and "Lessons." UP. A Former Welfare Father From The Ghetto Of Detroit, Michael Eric Dyson Is Today A Critic, Scholar, And Ordained Baptist Minister Who Has Forged A Unique Role: He Is A Compelling Spokesman For The Concerns Of The Black Community, And Also A Leader Who Has A Genuine Rapport With That Community, Particularly With Urban Youth. In His Essays, Lectures, Sermons, And Books, He Has Emerged As One Of The Leading African-american Voices Of Our Day. There Is A Section Of Wonderful Profiles Dyson Calls Testimonials--studies Of Black Men, From O.j. Simpson To Marion Barry, And From Baptist Preacher Gardner Taylor To Michael Jordan And Sam Cooke. In Obsessed With O.j., Dyson Offers An Extremely Personal And Insightful Series Of Reflections On The Case. In Lessons, Dyson Takes Up The Subjects Of Politics And Racial Identity. Newt Gingrich And Moral Panic, Qubilah Shabazz, Carol Moseley Braun, The Naacp, Martin Luther King, Jr., And Malcolm X All Figure In These Insightful And Accessible Pieces. And Songs Of Celebration Draws From Dyson's Writings For The Popular Press Such As Rolling Stone And Vibe, And Explores The Joys And Pitfalls Of Black Expression, From The Black Vernacular Bible To Gospel Music, R & B, And Hip-hop. Dyson Concludes With An Essay Framed As A Letter To His Wife, Which Offers A Positive Counterbalance To The Opening Address To His Brother. The Letter Serves As A Tribute To The Redemptive Powers Of Love, The Black Family, Spirit, And Change. Arguing That The Richness Of Black Culture Today Can Be Found In The Interstices - Between God And Gangsta Rap - Dyson Charts The Progress And Pain Of African Americans Over The Past Decade. As A Compendium Of His Thinking About Contemporary Culture Between God And Gangsta Rap Will Find A Wide Audience Among Black And White Readers. Invocation: Letter To My Brother, Everett, In Prison -- Testimonials: The Joys And Concerns Of Black Men's Lives. Obsessed With O.j.: Meditations On An American Tragedy -- Gardner Taylor: The Poet Laureate Of The American Pulpit -- Crossing Over Jordan -- The Soul Of Sam Cooke -- The Lives Of Black Men -- Marion Barry And The Politics Of Redemption -- Lessons: Politics Of/and Identity. Moral Panic Or Civic Virtue? -- A Daughter's Pain, A Father's Legacy -- The Naacp And Black America -- Carol Moseley-braun And The Politics Of Hope -- King's Light, Malcolm's Shadow -- Race And The Myth Of Black Purity -- Blacks And Jews On Stage -- Portrait Of The Black Family -- Screening The Black Panthers -- Songs Of Celebration. Shakespeare And Smokey Robinson: Revisiting The Culture Wars -- Minstrelsy Or Ministry? -- Everyday Is Sunday -- Mariah Carey And Authentic Black Music -- Old School Love: Chante Moore And Tony Terry -- Crossing Over Without Going Under: Luther, Anita, And Vanessa -- A Day In The Life Of Black Culture: A List -- Hip-hop And The Bad Rap: Hammer And Vanilla Ice -- Public Enemy: Rap's Prophets Of Rage -- Ice Cube: Gangsta Rap's Visionary -- Gangsta Rap And American Culture -- Benediction: Letter To My Wife Marcia. Michael Eric Dyson. Includes Index. A former welfare father from the ghetto of Detroit, Michael Eric Dyson is today a critic, scholar, and ordained Baptist minister who has forged a unique role: he is a compelling spokesman for the concerns of the black community, and also a leader who has a genuine rapport with that community, particularly with urban youth. In his essays, lectures, sermons, and books, he has emerged as one of the leading African-American voices of our day. There is a section of wonderful profiles Dyson calls "Testimonials" - studies of black men, from O. J. Simpson to Marion Barry, and from Baptist preacher Gardner Taylor to Michael Jordan and Sam Cooke. In "Obsessed with O. J.," Dyson offers an extremely personal and insightful series of reflections on the case. In "Lessons," Dyson takes up the subjects of politics and racial identity. Newt Gingrich and moral panic, Qubilah Shabazz, Carol Moseley Braun, the NAACP, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X all figure in these insightful and accessible pieces. And "Songs of Celebration" draws from Dyson's writings for the popular press such as Rolling Stone and Vibe, and explores the joys and pitfalls of black expression, from the black vernacular bible to gospel music, R & B, and hip-hop. Dyson concludes with an essay framed as a letter to his wife, which offers a positive counterbalance to the opening address to his brother. The letter serves as a tribute to the redemptive powers of love, the black family, spirit, and change. Arguing that the richness of black culture today can be found in the interstices - between god and gangsta rap - Dyson charts the progress and pain of African Americans over the past decade. As a compendium of his thinking about contemporary culture Between God and Gangsta Rap will find a wide audience among black and white readers. Offering a multifaceted view of African American issues, a collection of essays brings together writings on music, religion, politics, and identity