Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man's Education
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Description
An unflinching account of what it means to be a young black man in America today, and how the existing script for black manhood is being rewritten in one of the most fascinating periods of American history. How do you learn to be a black man in America? For young black men today, it means coming of age during the presidency of Barack Obama. It means witnessing the deaths of Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, and too many more. It means celebrating powerful moments of black self-determination for LeBron James, Dave Chappelle, and Frank Ocean. In Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching, Mychal Denzel Smith chronicles his own personal and political education during these tumultuous years, describing his efforts to come into his own in a world that denied his humanity. Smith unapologetically upends reigning assumptions about black masculinity, rewriting the script for black manhood so that depression and anxiety aren't considered taboo, and feminism and LGBTQ rights become part of the fight. The questions Smith asks in this book are urgent -- for him, for the martyrs and the tokens, and for the Trayvons that could have been and are still waiting. Read more
Publisher : Bold Type Books
Publication date : June 14, 2016
Edition : 1st
Language : English
Print length : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 4
ISBN-13 : 84
Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
Dimensions : 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Hardcover
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Invisible Man is pretty much an introspective piece in which Mychal recounts several important instances in his life and moments in pop culture. It sometimes feels like an autobiography, but then he reflects on these circumstances to express his views on racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and black culture, among many other topics. He really takes on a lot in less than 250 pages and manages to successfully send you on a trip into his mind. For me being a young black male myself, it made me seriously evaluate my views on the aforementioned topics. I'm actually about seven years younger than Mychal, so a lot of his recollections on pop culture were things that were not too far back to remember. Reading them were literally like reliving them, but at an age where I can reflect on them like I haven't before. Things like Kanye's rant on George Bush, or Dave Chappelle's leave, or Frank Ocean's revelation about his first love being a male. These few moments can be dismissed as funny, shocking, yet short-lived events that can creep into conversation here and there. But Mychal really divulges into these. For example, he talked about why Dave Chappelle left his show. My understanding is that it was due to a myriad of issues like overwork, not agreeing with the direction people wanted his show to take, increased pressure and scrutiny, etc. One of the issues Mychal expounded on that I never really thought about was how people weren't receptive to the messages Dave tried to send though his comedy. Chappelle is a very strong, politically-minded individual who made ingenious skits addressing racism. Yet all people can remember is "I'm Rick James, b****!" Mychal's points on this made me realize that even though Chappelle is my favorite comedian of all-time, I am one of the very people that was missing the point of a lot of his sketches and standups, and my reaction helped fuel the overall public reaction that led to his departure. This is one of many examples that challenged several thoughts I had. There were however, many views I personally disagreed with. Mychal is extremely liberal. He also spent a whole chunk of the book criticizing Obama and certain staples of black culture. As much as I disagreed with a lot of what he believed, I couldn't help but agree with the underlying messages he was trying to convey with his various criticisms. His introspection was detailed in a way that actually made me wish he was a guy I personally knew. I'd recommend this book to every black American, and anybody willing to take a course into black culture and a well thought-out perspective on issues our country is facing today.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2016 by Stephen
Format: Hardcover
My copy finally came in the mail. As much as I love books, I almost never order books before they are released. Usually, I have to read before I buy. This time, I purchased the book 6 months ago. This time, I just wanted to support. I'm glad that I did. Mychal Denzel Smith wrote a collective autobiography. This is a memoir of a generation -- my generation. While Mychal tells his own story, the larger narrative is that of Bush to Obama, Katrina to Jena, Trayvon to Michael. As far as memoirs go, the dominance in the national scene makes his own personal story a little less dim. This is not the story of how his father treated his mother; this is not the story of him growing up with his brother. This is not the story of what it feels like for a man to have his heart broken. Or the story of poverty and hardship. And that's okay. This is an honest critique of President Obama as a Black man. This is an honest look at masculinity norms within the Black community and in America as a whole. This is an honest look a depression and mental health amongst Black folks. And thus, I love this memoir for being just what it is. I can tell that Mychal is the type of guy I would want to be friends with. We read all the same books. In fact, if a Black man wanted to find his way through this jungle, if he wanted to discover what being a great Black man is, I would recommend him read every single text (and album) referenced in this book, including those written by Black women. I am proud that the Black men in my generation are beginning to examine themselves for possible misogyny and possible homophobia. It makes me believe in Black men even more. This is a young Black man's education. I think I might buy this book for my brother and a few of my Black male friends. And for Black women bibliophiles like myself, for Black women who love to read and love to support Black men. This is an excellent book to read, and read again. Mychal Denzel Smith seems like an excellent man to stand behind.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2016 by Lhea J. Love
Format: Hardcover
Mychal Denzel Smith bravely chronicles his coming of age when digital media is making obvious to all what has been clear to those of colors forever: there are two standards of law, justice, and policing in America, two citizenships, two worlds. He moves from being an observer to becoming an actively engaged, woke agent in the formation of this world. I felt proud of him when I finished the book and look forward to reading more.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2016 by a k
Format: Hardcover
In his teens Mychal Denzel Smith decided he wanted to be "an honest black man and a good black writer." Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching is proof he's achieved both. He brings freshness, originality, and more than a few surprises to issues of race, gender, sexual identity, patriarchy, presidential politics, music, mental illness, and more. Any author who can so thoroughly shatter common assumptions wrapped up in definitions of "missing black fathers" (and in the process school the president on an erroneous or incomplete analysis of the issue), while making the case that the lives of some children are enriched by the absence of certain fathers, is worthy of a second read. Which I'll be doing before I crack another book. Anyone who seeks to understand and eradicate racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and, of particularly urgent concern, white supremacy and police violence would do well to read this book. Now. I'm 42 years older than the author. He's black, I'm white. I grew up on doo-wop, he on hip-hop. His mother was loving, mine distant. Fathers? Mine was a bigot and didn't care who knew it, and his was, well, sensitive to appearances. So, lots of differences. But it is a testament to Smith's wisdom and honesty, his humanity and humor (and his enviable writing chops) that despite these and other differences he spoke to me.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2016 by Norm Stamper
Format: Kindle
This book should be required reading. I’ve seen Mychal Denzel Smith (MDS) on different news shows, like MHP, and have always appreciated his point of view. In his book he illuminates and manifest, quite skillfully, how African Americans (AA) live in a hostile society (my words) where the rules change and morph at the drop of a hat (when it comes to AA) and how we are constantly running trying to keep up and remain, or at least appear, civil/respectable by any means necessary. I think it’s important that we read books like this to ensure we’re not crazy – for me anyway – because most of my so called educated friends are totally into being respectable and presentable at all cost and we often get into heated arguments – agreeing to disagree – as they say. I especially appreciated his thoughts/analyzations of our brilliant president and how he remains above the fray (being condescending to AA and somehow making racism our fault or intimating that we can somehow fix it). To use MDS’s words ‘… by every measure, Obama … represents the most “respectable” black man this country has ever produced. And what has his respectability won him but disrespect?’ AMEN honey. So many things resonated with me in this book. MDS reflected on how our president and folk in general think that black fathers being in the home is the panacea for keeping our boys on the straight and narrow (so to speak) …’…a father won’t protect black boys from America.’ MDS was brave to include and share and reflect on his relationship with his own father (who was doing the best he could) and I’m sure a lot of boys and girls could relate. To heal we need to talk more about what hurts otherwise the cycle repeats. MDS reports on our president’s pie in the sky initiative (that’s what I call it) for mentoring AA boys – Brother’s Keeper. Yeah, right. I agree with MDS – ‘It was insulting, but right in line with his philosophy’. Can you say “legislation/bill/policy” Mr. POTUS – who claims to be president of all people. What about us? I recommended this book to my millennial son who is the same age as MDS and who I have the most enlightening and energetic conversations with. Thank you Mychal. n Books. Kindle Edition.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2016 by Advocate for the marginalized
Format: Hardcover
This book was brought to my attention during an interview that he and Marc Lamont Hill were being interviewed for. I am very familiar with Marc Lamont Hill's work but I never heard of Mychal Denzel Smith. After watching that interview and listening to the knowledge he was dropping that was related to the recent killings that involved the police and black men, I knew had to get my hands on his book. Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching, is something that we need and have needed for some time. Mychal is raw and real. He discuss issues that black men and the black community brush to the side. Also, the misperception that other races and cultures believe about blacks in America. He talks about issues of homophobia, mental health, black liberation and just growing up black in America through the eyes of a black millennial man. Mychal realizes that the issue is the system in which we live in. We all can not be free when the system only allows certain people to be free. When the system promotes injustice and people are not held accountable for their actions the black man, woman, boy or girl will never be safe in America. Mychal Denzel Smith is the voice of this generation. This is a wake up call for those who are not "woke." To realize that this is just the beginning. We have more work to do. I believe that reading this book is a great place to start. I am definitely buying this book for my friends and family. Thank you my brother for sharing your story with the world.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2016 by LorRAINE💫
Format: Kindle
Mychal Denzel Smith was a guest on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah this past week. The interview about his book intrigued me so I bought an online version. I enjoyed reading his story as it spoke about people and lives different from me which I wanted to know and understand. Smith acknowledges not only learning his own life but those of black women and the LGBT COMMUNITY. I have learned the more we understand where each of us are in our lives and how we got there, the better able we can find common ground to move forward peacefully. I appreciate the new views this has given me.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2016 by Amazon Customer
Format: Hardcover
Wow - so well-done. Real, relevant, approachable and intelligent. His writing is accessible, even as he makes arguments some might find provocative or uncomfortable, and it was in many ways breezy even though the topics he touched on were far from breezy (this is a compliment, by the way, he is a good writer and the book was well-edited). Some might argue that his youth shines through, but he is remarkably self-aware and reflective in the right places - especially when talking about his experiences as editor-in-chief at Hampton, and his own experiences around masculinity and mental health and wellness. His later chapters on sexuality and mental illness, and his own personal reflections on both topics, were particularly vulnerable and thoughtful. An absolute must-read - I wish high school and college students would read this as part of their coursework and write reflection papers and have class discussions - things would get really interesting.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2017 by NYC school counselor