From Publishers Weekly
According to Goff, a former intern for Sen. Hillary Clinton and campaign manager for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the black vote is becoming more elusive and unpredictable in today's political landscape. Goff's first book explores the transformation of the African-American voting bloc in the U.S. The author argues that what was once a cohesive political unit is now a diffuse coalition divided across myriad social, political and economic lines. Unlike their parents, who have historically held fast to the Democratic Party, younger African-Americans are becoming increasingly independent voters. Examining this generational split in terms of proximity to the civil rights movement, Goff finds that the bond forged between the Democratic Party and the African-American community may have lost its relevance to many younger African-Americans today. The author fleshes out several reasons for this: the split over social issues like gay marriage and abortion, the loss of cohesive, unifying leadership in the African-American community, the First Black President Bill Clinton proving a tough Democratic act to follow and the waning Democratic commitment to black churches. Goff proves herself a savvy political analyst, an adept cultural critic and a talented journalist, culling from sources as diverse as political polls, Chris Rock's standup comedy and interviews with politicians and ordinary citizens alike. She makes a persuasive argument that the black vote is becoming an imaginary concept: while Democrats take it for granted, Republicans don't bother to work for it. The result is disenfranchisement. (Mar.)
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*Starred Review* Young black voters are growing up and going in a different—more independent—direction than their parents, according to Goff, political analyst and frequent guest on CNN and Fox News. She sees parallels with the political evolution of immigrants from liberals wanting sympathy for the downtrodden to conservatives wanting to protect their gains. But for young African Americans, the picture is complicated by the long history of racism. Goff examines the growth of the black middle and upper classes and the influence of black culture on broader American culture that has produced a new generation not easily defined politically. Comedian Chris Rock, for example, with his opposition to higher taxes and support for legalized prostitution, defies categorization. Goff also examines the new direction represented by Barack Obama and what the shifting perspective of the post–civil rights generation will mean to the future of American politics. Goff draws on numerous research studies and interviews with political activists and operatives, scholars, and voters themselves to document this shift. She also brings strong cultural and social analysis—from the lack of a single unifying experience on a par with the civil rights movement to the advancement of black power brokers from Oprah Winfrey to hip-hop moguls—to explain the growing disconnect. --Vanessa Bush