So, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to dedicate time to read at least one book a month. Here is the review for my book for January.
Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority by Tom Burrell
Published by SmileyBooks; 1 edition (February 1, 2010)
Paperback: 283 pages
Source: Purchased from Amazon for $11.99
This book not only challenges the narrative of inferiority of African Americans in the US, but also provides an interesting analysis of the “brainwashing” that has infected the psyches of many African Americans. It breaks down how deep rooted insecurities reaching back to the days of slavery still has a grasp on Black Americans today.
Burrell shows how words and images in music and the media have been used for years to manipulate how blacks are viewed in this country and subsequently how many of us have unconsciously viewed ourselves. While many will argue that racist media propaganda died with the end of the Jim Crow era, Burrel breaks down how mainstream news outlets today still focus heavily on the negative aspects of the African American life, while at the same time ignoring or downplaying our contributions. From the damning portrayal of light skinned black women as sex vixens in music videos to black comedians and their jokes on serious issues of dysfunction such as “bitch black women, deadbeat dads, bad ass kids and battling black parents”.
If he has done nothing else, Burrel gets the audience thinking and perhaps starting to devise solutions to changing the way blacks perceive themselves and eventually how others perceive us.
I would highly recommend this book to any individual that wants to be enlightened.
Rating: 
If anyone is interested, I will be reselling my copy (used, with normal wear and tear) for $7.99 +shipping and handling.
Travelingsistaz 