| Brainwashed: A Book Review |
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| Written by Kam Williams |
| Thursday, 02 August 2012 22:12 |
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“One of the greatest propaganda campaigns of all time was the masterful marketing of the myth of Black inferiority to justify slavery within a democracy.” The last several centuries still haunt us, and hinder our advancement and achievement.” - Excerpted from Brainwashed Ever since the dawn of the nation when the Founding Fathers deliberately rationalized slavery by spreading the big lie that Black people were inferior, African-Americans have suffered from serious self-esteem issues. But why has this phenomenon continued to persist so long past emancipation and the elimination of the Jim Crow system of segregation? This is the nagging thought which inspired Tom Burrell to write Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority. After all, as an advertising executive with 45 years in the business, he is well aware of the power of propaganda. So he knows that American society has done such a good job on the minds of Blacks that they have not only internalized but have willingly participated in the perpetuation and further dissemination of nearly every negative stereotype propagated about them by the media. Blending the best elements of "Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television" by Jerry Mander and "The Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome" by Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary with some rather novel ideas of his own, the author raises ten tough, but critical questions, each addressing a problem area presently plaguing the African-American psyche. "Why can't we build strong families?" "Why do we perpetuate black sexual stereotypes?" "Why are 'Black' and 'beauty' still contradictions?" "Why do we keep killing each other?" "Why are we killing ourselves?" "Why can't we stop shopping?" Etcetera... Devoting an entire chapter to each of the above inquiries, Burell explores his subject-matter at considerable length and depth with the hope of helping to eradicate self-destructive behaviors. He believes that people have to heal from the inside-out, so his solutions start with each individual's recognition that you've been brainwashed, and that you can reprogram your mind because it is ultimately under your control. A potentially-transformative, seminal treatise provided readers are receptive to contemplating commonly-accepted practices like the use of the N-word, corporal punishment and hair relaxers as possibly the vestiges of a deep-seated self-hatred implanted in the brain by white supremacist notions. [Brainwashed is part of our Top 20 Books for Summer 2012: http://megadiversities.com/index.php?option=com_content]
To order a copy of Brainwashed, visit: AMAZON.com, .ca or www.barnesandnoble.com Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority
About the author of this book review: Kam Williams is a syndicated film and book critic who wirtes for 100+ publications around the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean. He is a columnist for www.afrotoronto.com, www.megadiversities.com and so on. Some of Williams' articles are translated into Chinese. Kam Williams is an erudite lawyer who holds a J.D from Boston University and other degrees: an MA in English, a BA in Black Studies in Ivy Leagues (Brown University and Cornell University respectively) and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School. In addition, Mr. Williams has been honored at the U.N. (for BMORENEWS GLOBAL FORUM ON WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT) on June 15th 2012 by the Foundation for the Support of the United Nations (FSUN). Kam Williams can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
