Rating: 
Summary: Leaving home
Review: America: the biggest, greatest, wealthiest country in the world. So why would an educated, well-known activist find it hard to live here? Why indeed would he turn his back on the country of his birth? In QUITTING AMERICA Randall Robinson gives us an unvarnished view of what life is really like for a Black man in America. With a no-holds-barred style, he lets us in on not only the unpublished, uncensored history of the United States but also how that history has affected all of us through the years. For instance, he uses a Black boy on the streets of Rochester, New York as an example of a person who doesn't know where he came from and therefore has no idea and even less control over where he is going. He calls him Man-boy. Man-boy sees himself only as the United States sees him: a Black male to be feared. The United States left out Man-boy's history when they stole his ancestors from somewhere in Africa. His memory banks have been erased about the powerful and wonderful people from whom he sprang. Man-boy is doomed before he even gets started.Robinson also delves deeply into the politics of the United States. He explains the hatred shown by Columbus when he "discovered" the New World toward the indigenous populations that offered him a warm welcome. Seeing only profit and land to steal, Columbus disrupted the peaceful life-styles and attempted to turn the natives into slaves for the Europeans back home. Failing that, countries in Africa were raided and the inhabitants were brought to the New World to accomplish his sick goals. This need to conquer and control, the desire for all things material still determines the direction the United States takes in its fatal attempts to rule the world. In addition, Robinson gives us the historical background of the democracy next door to us and the reasons for the hatred shown toward Haiti. The Haitian Slave Revolt literally revolted American sensibilities and their perceived reasons for the existence of Blacks. Because of that anger, the United States is still mistreating Haitians, whether it's the unequal treatment of Haitian refugees or the unfair embargoes placed upon the island nation itself. QUITTING AMERICA is a dynamite book that should be mandatory reading for all Americans, especially those who have and are causing problems for U.S. citizens as well as the rest of the countries of the world. Unfortunately, as Robinson points out, very few white people will read it because he is not saying what they want to hear. He is too truthful and too hard-hitting. He is not squeamish, even when it comes to national Black "heroes" such as Condaleeza Rice and Colin Powell. He tells the truth even when it would be prudent to go along with the status quo. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: I Have Only Skimmed The Book, But Liked What I read...
Review: As a 46 year old African American author and journalist who hasn't emigrated to another country, only because I don't have custody of my six year old twins, and refuse to leave them to their mother, and the taunts and jokes too many African American kids hear about not knowing their daddies, I must say that at this point in my life I envy Robinson for leaving the U.S. His book makes such a strong and excellent case for any and every proud African American to simply leave these shores. It took me writing three books that have received great critical response, yet not very good sales among African Americans; and now a contract to write my fourth book, which at least two very prestigious publishers expressed interest in, only to finally pass on the proposal because they didn't feel enough people would be interested in the subject (a biography of James Weldon Johnson), forcing me to sign with a smaller publisher, to realize how poisonous American society is for any and every proud African American male (notice, I said "proud African American male" since I am convinced that most African American men lack adequate self-esteem). It is virtually impossible for us to live our lives in the manner that ambitious, self-confident Caucasian men take for granted. We are ALWAYS on the defensive. Not even our female counterparts respect us to the degree they should for one simple reason: collectively speaking, we have no real power in this society. And American culture is rigged to ensure that we never achieve any real power, either. The truth is that if we want anything approximating a decent life style, we are expected to humble ourselves in a way that Caucasian men, as a group, never have to worry about. But what makes it worse is that most African Americans don't have the mindset necessary for us as a people, to do anything about this predicament. They, too, are implicated in the worst aspects of life in America, far more interested in having a good time, reinforcing stereotypes, rather than improving themselves as human beings. Robinson's book tells the reader much about why this happens to be the case. I intend to read it thoroughly, rather than browse through it, as I have so far, when I can finally find the time.
Rating:
Summary: jah people
Review: Everything Randall Robinson says here is true. Every word of it. God bless him and the people he's stood up and fought for. I like the fact that he doesn't waste his time trying to suffer fools gladly. I know of a few black middle class professional people who have left the US for other places in Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean in the last couple of years. Following in the steps of WEB DuBois, and other intellectuals tired of feeding the monster. Well done RR.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Truth ever told in the 21st Century
Review: First of all, i'm Nigerian and i can identify with RR. It is ridiculous for an African-American reviewer to join racists in saying that they are better off than Africans---IGNORANCE---- the truth is that Africans are better off than you people because we sent the British invaders back to their country. They left to us a legacy of hate which exists between tribal clans in Nigeria. They divided our country to benefit their selfish desires just because of their racist perceptions of blacks as inferior, uncivilized and unequal. We established two-parent families, went to college and ran our country independently until corrupt leaders looted the national wealth just recently in the 90s. Africans always aim to achieve because of their priviledge of growing in an independent nation free of external influence. Check out South Africa, and see the difference- their oppressors were fifth generations of their country and yet did not regard black Africans as humans. Unfortunately, African-Americans have never enjoyed concrete economic stability with the exception of those that have acquired the AMERCAN DREAM. How come Asian immigrants are better off some AA, there is a lot of work to do. The worst mistake an AA person would make is to not tell his people the truth. RR has done a great job. lack of African-ness is toxic to black culture. Let us succeed so that we won't give racists a chance to proclaim their so called superiority.
Rating:
Summary: Crisply Crafted Masterpiece
Review: First off, know that I'm white, not black, so my glowing recommendation isn't "one brother supporting another." Robinson's writing is quietly impassioned, Koppel-crisp, calmly clear. His observations on the US's political, military and social errors are beautifully, intelligently, prudently stated. I found it hard to argue with Robinson's emotions or logic, which he exquisitely balances in simple yet powerful, unarguably honest descriptions. Though fed up with what America has been and has become for him as a black man, his observations and opinions echo much that my wife and I have felt for years. He has chosen to move to a smaller, simpler, more honest and direct society in the Caribbean, and he describes the steps to that decision in spartan prose reminiscent of a Thoreau or Hemingway. Reading Robinson is akin to contemplating the clean lines of Danish furniture. This is a book that, aesthetically and ideologically, deserves to be read. I can't imagine any sensible, sensitive and honest person being disappointed by this gracefully and skillfully crafted book.
Rating:
Summary: Crisply Crafted Masterpiece
Review: First off, know that I'm white, not black, so my glowing recommendation isn't "one brother supporting another." Robinson's writing is quietly impassioned, Koppel-crisp, calmly clear. His observations on the US's political, military and social errors are beautifully, intelligently, prudently stated. I found it hard to argue with Robinson's emotions or logic, which he exquisitely balances in simple yet powerful, unarguably honest descriptions. Though fed up with what America has been and has become for him as a black man, his observations and opinions echo much that my wife and I have felt for years. He has chosen to move to a smaller, simpler, more honest and direct society in the Caribbean, and he describes the steps to that decision in spartan prose reminiscent of a Thoreau or Hemingway. Reading Robinson is akin to contemplating the clean lines of Danish furniture. This is a book that, aesthetically and ideologically, deserves to be read. I can't imagine any sensible, sensitive and honest person being disappointed by this gracefully and skillfully crafted book.
Rating: 
Summary: Did he give away all his money first?
Review: For a guy who claims to value his 'african-ness' more than possessions or property, did he put his money where is mouth is and renounce his possessions? Are all of his book royalties going to be given away or burned to protest the materialism he claims to hate? This book is a sad, sad testament of our people. We are too smart to ignore the obvious and too dumb to accept our luck. Blacks in america are among the longest lived, best educated, best fed, wealthiest blacks on the planet. A simple example of this is malaria. MILLIONS of blacks in africa die of malaria. The disease is unheard of in the US. In some ways Randall Robinson's anger is understandable. If all you know is poverty then poverty doesn't seem so bad. But poverty in the midst of affluence, that's enough to make one's blood boil. It is the affluence of america, including america's blacks, that shames the proud. They know that their lot would be a LOT different if their ancestors hadn't survived the journey into slavery. And that knowledge infuriates them. No one really prefers an artificial sense of culture or 'african-ness' over material prosperity. How exactly is Randall Robinson going 'home' to a country he has never lived in before? America is our home. We are so incredibly lucky to be here as full citizens. Instead of spitting in the eye of our fellow citizens, why not focus on just how lucky we are to live in this country? People die crossing deserts, hiding in stowaway compartments trying to sneak into this country! We were BORN here and have full citizenship from birth! We simply have to swallow our pride. We are naturally inclined towards feats of physical ability that other races can't match. But in life, as in so many things, you can't have it all. Our endowment upstairs is the tradeoff evolution made for our superior physical ability. This is the very meaning of genetic diversity; real, substantive difference. It's a part of the beautiful diversity that allows humanity to inhabit practically every corner of the globe. This nonsense about how ManBoy feels alienated because he is feared has nothing to do with the reality of growing up in the ghetto. First, not all black children grow up in the ghetto. Second, when you DO grow up in the ghetto most of the people around you are black. Where the heck would all of this fear come from when there aren't any white people around to be afraid of you? His attempt to portray the media as complicit makes absolutely no sense. The media goes out of its way to portray blacks in a positive light; so much so that many blacks complain that the depictions are pollyanish. It is only when blacks are in control of the content do we see the rampant promulgation of 'stereotypes'.
Rating:
Summary: piercing insight into the horrors of white america
Review: He tells a story rarely told, about the emotional, psychological and physical cruelties of racism. The quenching of human hope and spirit that is so casually embraced as normal in our country. From the lost urban youths which he refers to as "man boys" to the black elite that still finds itself irrelevant in our polarized country, to those who have "sold out" to the white power structure and become as much as liar as they (ie. colin powell, condeleeza rice). His book illustrates how genocide, segregation, and violence against blacks and other brown people are trivialized by the united states and europeans in general. Tell the truth brother; thank you that someone is finally telling the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Good riddance!
Review: I can sum this book up in one word: waaah! What a pretentious crybaby. Crime in America? White people's fault. Saddam Hussein a bad guy? White people's fault. Young black men tragically killing one another? White people's fault. We are so at fault that we don't even know it. There is no social ill he can't peg to Caucasians. Special disgust is reserved for the worst of the worst, President Bush who makes the mistake of being a white, Christian conservative. Horrors! As I read through this book, quite a struggle while gritting my teeth, I came across reference after reference that if you replaced "white" with "black", you would be branded a racist and rightfully so. Mr. Robinson sees the world through the same racist lens as David Duke, yet he is acclaimed as being a deep thinker by the guilty white liberal establishment. Racism is racism no matter the skin color of the racist or their target. I have tried to treat others based on the content of their character, but people like Robinson make it awfully hard. Robinson does not restrict his hatred to Caucasians, but has the most derision for people like Clarence Thomas, etc. How dare a black be conservative?! How in the world do you deride successful blacks, positive role models for ALL American kids, as Uncle Toms because you dislike their politics? This is the most hateful book I have ever read. Added to that, it is poorly organized. In the first 20 pages or so, he is all over the place with his attacks, jumping from Vieques, Puerto Rico to how evil hunters are. It is dizzying but when you are this hate filled it must be hard to keep your different hatreds straight. All in all, since Mr. Robinson is so enamored of paradisiacal St. Kitts, I wish him the best while living in a no doubt far more luxurious lifestyle than his neighbors, thanks to book proceeds from his hated former nation. Good riddance indeed!
Rating:
Summary: Praise to Randall's honesty and integrity!!!!!!!!!
Review: I give only the greatest praise to Randall for his honesty and straight forwardness in this book. He not only gives examples of his own life experiences in America, but also exposes this country for what it isn't. America has never been, and never will be a democracy, free, just, or equal. From the time of the imperialist Columbus, to the warmonger Bush, America has seen Africans and all others of color as "invisible persons", not worthy of white peoples concern. Randall explains the annialation of native american civilization, genocide and enslavement of Africans, and contemporary indifference to anyone not of Euro-descent. He explains that peace of mind, cultural belonging, and his Africanness, are more important than possessions and property. I applaud Randall for his honesty, and uprightness. He'll never miss America, I wish I were him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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