Cover Image: The Black Agenda

The Black Agenda

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I really enjoyed reading this book. With the current climate in this country right now, this book was perfect. Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman laid out critical topics for the Black community brilliantly. For each topic, she complied essays from the experts in their respective areas. These topics ranged from economics, education, health, climate, to technology. At the end of each essay topic, there were sources for additional reading.

I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

This book acknowledges that it is not exhaustive or enough to fix everything, but it is a helpful tool and resource for individuals, and a list of places to start to move forward after the hype of summer 2020 died down.

A lot of the essays are very short, really just introductions to some of these ideas, but they explain in a quick and accessible way how things are wrong and some concrete steps to fix them, at least in the short term while coming up with larger solutions. They're broken into sections focusing on areas like climate, health care, wellness, education, technology, criminal justice, the economy, and public policy.

There are different points of view, including a couple contradictory ones--I was surprised that the first criminal justice essay argued for diversity in police, but then another essay did argue for abolition. Overall though these essays provide a fairly detailed summary of ways to solve so many of the most pressing issues in the United States right now, with a clear focus on Black Americans.

I'm really glad I got the chance to read The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System; I feel like if even one of these policy proposals are implemented, it will be a small step in the right direction.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I expected more from this book not a rehash of other info from other books. It could have been a lot better and more details provided on how to stay out of debt and get your financial picture on to fight a system that has been against you from the beginning.

Was this review helpful?

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I would definitely be recommending this book to readers on my Instagram bookstagram account.

Was this review helpful?

This is an incredible collection of brief essays from such a variety of brilliant experts. I’ll be buying this when it comes out, not least so I have a list of names whose work I should be looking for. If there is ever another edition of or follow up volume to this, I would love more inclusion of creatives and organizers.

I also really enjoyed the foreword and introduction. They provided great context and justification for the collection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital galley.

Was this review helpful?

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

Was this review helpful?

i received an advanced copy of The Black Agenda from NetGalley. this review is not sponsored.

The Black Agenda centers experts in their respective fields - ranging from Policy to Health Care to Economics to Criminal Justice, and beyond, to examine the current state of affairs, with an emphasis on highlighting the work being done “in house.” it seems The Black Agenda is supposed to act as a sort of up-to-date manual for reference when investing our individual and collective resources to effect change for ourselves and our communities. in that, intersectional models and frameworks are presented for use. The Black Agenda does an excellent job showcasing Black experts who are pushing the discourse forward, in many areas, to ultimately usher in a world where the humanity of Black people is fully realized. i felt particularly galvanized into action by the piece titled “Queer as in Abolishing the Police” by Preston Mitchum.

Excellent read and excellent starting place to learn solutions to decades long multilayered oppression Black people have lived under and for a sneak peak into what we intend to do about it.

Was this review helpful?

This book is an intelligent collection of articles regarding subjects that have been and are currently under-served in black communities. I found it thoughtful and wide-reaching in its scope; covering subjects such as climate change, diversity, disabilities, infant health, education, etc.

I suggest reading the book before reading the editor's introduction, which had a negative tone that the rest of the book lacked. The subject was covered at the end of the book quite well, and honestly, I feel that it will turn away many otherwise open-minded and interested people who deserve the opportunity to know more about the more pressing (and less decisive) subjects.

Most of these subjects were not new to me, but the way they were approached--especially climate change and technology in healthcare--were a little surprising. These subjects (among others) have not been adequately addressed on a national or local level. Over all, this is an important collection of work, and well worth the read. I'm glad I was given the opportunity!

4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free preview of this book!

#TheBlackAgenda #NetGalley

Note to the publishers: I suggest including the editor's "introduction" to the last section of the book, or deleting it. As I said, the subject is well covered in the main text.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this eye-opening book. I have led a privileged life, and until recently have not really paid attention to politics. This book made me realize that everything is political. Climate, Health Care, Education, Criminal Justice, the Economy,, everything. The book cites sources if you're interested in further reading. This is an important book, and everyone should read it.

Was this review helpful?

What an incredibly important and necessary read. These essays cover many of the “buzz” topics that matter to all of us in America but which directly and disproportionately ·impact people of color, especially black residents, Written by experts from the communities we see not only the problem, we see the solution. Clearly and concisely we learn how to address and rectify these issues. You can also delve into each essay more which is helpful for those of us who do not have the full information through mainstream news outlets. Recommended reading for everyone. I learned a lot and will implement what I learned in my community.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting way to address the issues at hand more or less essay style. The author offered up some solutions to the issues as well. Not really what I normally read but was intrigued by the format and ideas.

Was this review helpful?

This is a compilation of essays addressing various issues facing everyone and highlighting how Black Americans are particularly and more aversly affected. Most offer solutions to issues or at least potential policies.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful overview of all the issues the community and culture faces. Each section highlights the main points and should we want more information, we can go to the works cited for more information.

Was this review helpful?

Tackling issues such as Climate, Health Care, Wellness, Education, Technology, Criminal Justice, Economy, and Public Policy "The Black Agenda" goes beyond showing how Black people are negatively impacted but also gives solutions on how to get better. The Black Agenda highlights Black experts in these spaces who are often left out of the conversation while the spotlight is shone on their white counterparts. These essays aren't all from a heteronormative perspective. We hear the voices from the LGBTQ community and the disabled community too.

Was this review helpful?