So many attempts have been made to secure some leverage for black Americans. Bit by bit there are small pockets of gain but much of the USA is still entrenched in systematic repression of its people based totally on whether someone has a brown star on their belly. (See Dr. Seuss- Star belly Sneetches). White liberals are doing what they can, but the brunt of the problem of repression is up to the repressed - get stepped on, now pick your own ass up.

That is exactly what the book The Devil You Know, A Black Power Manifesto, is doing. Its a get up- stand up book. It gives a very clear picture of the systematic repression- the history, how it works, and where it is - which is everywhere in the USA. The book knocks down the false thought that LA is cool or NY is hip. No it’s not. Lots of black males are getting gunned down there too.

The author, Charles M. Blow, is proposing a solution- a radical solution but a well thought out solution; the only way to undo the systems is from within, and the only way in, is through democratic elections, and the only way to win those elections is if there is a majority of blacks in a political area. He gives the hippy back-to-the-land movement as an example of how a bunch of hippies moving to Vermont changed the political climate there and hence, Berney Sanders. Being a little partial to this siting of hippie history, I agree. So, Mr. Blow is proposing a mass migration back to the south where blacks make up 42% of the population, not quite enough to tip the scales but if 10% of African Americans moved back to cities in the south – well then, some congress seats would be filled. Not a bad idea and if you read the book,  it is a truly well-thought-out one. It is written for black brothers and sisters, but whities will gain much insight from reading it too.  It is a refreshing break from the racial books of late that have been targeting white liberals on how not to be racist. This one cuts to the point and lays it out raw, with facts and stories that can’t be whitewashed. It is basically saying the north is not any less racist than the south. Black people that migrated to the north to escape racism need to come back to the predominantly black south and make up the majority in the elections to elect officials in those states. That is how things are going to change - black people being in all stages of the government.

Don’t read this if you want to cling to your nice idea of- I have one black friend so I’m not racist. As much as white cops are beating the fu*k out of black men all across the country, Charles Blow is returning the beating to systematic racism but with intelligent, well-written words. A true Manifesto that will be sure to change things for the better.