Crisis OF Black and White: Charles Silberman's Crisis in Black and White: A 40-Year Retrospective - Paperback

by Matthew C. Stelly (Author)

In 1966, Charles E. Silberman penned a book titled, Crisis in Black and White. For the time the book was informative but nevertheless replete with general truisms regarding race relations and several stereotypical chapter headings (for example, "Beer Can in the Cotton Patch"). This book is a 50 year retrospective analysis of what Silberman outlined with emphasis on how race relations in America have changed since that time period. Emphasis is placed on the roles of riots, police-community relations and various attempts at "social services" in addressing the issues of the black community. In addition, a functional definition of "ghetto" is provided to readers. Crisis OF Black and White, by its very name is a far cry from Silberman's Crisis IN Black and White. His work was descriptive and evocative, with this tome being far more critical and analytical.

Author Biography

AUTHOR'S BIO Matthew C. Stelly is a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee working on a degree in Urban Education and Community Policy. He holds three Master's degrees: Urban Studies (1982), Urban Education (1983) and Political Science (2000). He is the former editor of the Milwaukee Courier newspaper, former director of the Great Plains Black Museum and the Plano (TX) African American Museum, and lead archivist for The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) in Dallas, Texas. Stelly has more than 2,500 articles in print and has won two national essay competitions. He is the founding director of the largest African-American neighborhood group in Nebraska, the Triple One Neighborhood Association and Parents Union. He is the father of five children and remains actively involved in community organizing and neighborhood development.