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Beyond Black: Celebrity and Race in Obama's America
Author(s): Ellis Cashmore (Author)
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
- Publication Date: 2 Aug. 2012
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 176 pages
- ISBN-10: 1780931492
- ISBN-13: 9781780931494
Book Description
This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open Access programme and is available on www.bloomsburycollections.com.
Beyond Black is Ellis Cashmore’s compelling appraisal of the impact of black celebrities on the cultural landscape of contemporary America. In recent years a new variety of African American celebrity has emerged: acquisitive, ambitious, flamboyantly successful and individualistic – more interested in channelling their energy into career development than into the political struggles that animated some of their predecessors. Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey were early examples; current A-listers include Beyoncé and Tiger Woods.
Beyond Black is Ellis Cashmore’s compelling appraisal of the impact of black celebrities on the cultural landscape of contemporary America. In recent years a new variety of African American celebrity has emerged: acquisitive, ambitious, flamboyantly successful and individualistic – more interested in channelling their energy into career development than into the political struggles that animated some of their predecessors. Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey were early examples; current A-listers include Beyoncé and Tiger Woods.
The most valuable product these celebrities sell, according to Cashmore, is a particular conception of America: as a nation where racism has been – if not banished – rendered insignificant. Jargon-free but with scholarly attention to theory, evidence and logic, this is a riveting account of contemporary American society, from the minstrel shows of the nineteenth century, through the Hollywood film industry of the 1930s, to today’s hip-hop culture.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Has America truly become a postracial society where achievement, ambition, talent, education, and, most importantly, celebrity trump race? In his provocative and groundbreaking book, Cashmore asks and answers that question by taking us on a revealing, at times painful, but always insightful look at the power and pain of black celebrity past and present. –Earl Ofari Hutchinson, author of How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge
For a provocative and thoughtful analysis of the state of race relations in early 21st
century America, I recommend this new book! –Professor David Doc” Kirby, Hall School of Journalism and Communication, Troy University (USA)”
About the Author
Ellis Cashmore is Professor of Culture, Media and Sport at Staffordshire University, UK
