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Rating: 
Summary: Is the future brighter?
Review: After reading several books in a row on the subject of race in the U.S., it's refreshing to find something so optimistic as this work. Wynter presents a lot of evidence for the "browning" of pop culture, leading up to a closing chapter worth the price of the book. As a journalist, he is neither dull nor racist. (He is, perhaps, too speculative.) Wynter bases his thesis about the emerging "new majority" on extensive research and his own sense of how the market is leading American culture. Bypassing the rhetoric of both the left and the right, his conclusion takes the conversation about color and culture in a positive direction. If you're looking for a fresh perspective, try this out.
Rating:
Summary: Is the future brighter?
Review: After reading several books in a row on the subject of race in the U.S., it's refreshing to find something so optimistic as this work. Wynter presents a lot of evidence for the "browning" of pop culture, leading up to a closing chapter worth the price of the book. As a journalist, he is neither dull nor racist. (He is, perhaps, too speculative.) Wynter bases his thesis about the emerging "new majority" on extensive research and his own sense of how the market is leading American culture. Bypassing the rhetoric of both the left and the right, his conclusion takes the conversation about color and culture in a positive direction. If you're looking for a fresh perspective, try this out.
Rating: 
Summary: Insight precedes Foresight
Review: Well Done!, Leon Wynter!I've just finished reading "American Skin," and have taken
the time and trouble to express to others (something I
rarely do) how thoroughly I enjoyed and appreciated this book. As a 72-year-old WASP Hillbilly (born and bred in the
Appalachian Hills of Southeastern Ohio), I well remember
many of the radio and early television examples you cite.
As a sometime journalist/wordsmith, I've long thought about
media and society. As you analyzed examples of which I have personal memory,
the AHA! button went off, giving me -- after all these years --
fresh insights into all sorts of things. While I expect some of your points are overdrawn, it strikes
me that your overall thesis -- the subsuming of race in our
increasingly commerce-dominated culture -- is right on the money. That, of course, is the Bad News AND the Good News. Unless
we are destined to decline and fade into an altogether
commercial culture -- something I doubt, though that may
be a hope rather than an estimate -- the arenas and means
for pursuing what Walter Lippman decades ago labelled
The Public Interest -- will have to find its wellsprings in
other sources. WELL DONE! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Rating:
Summary: Insight precedes Foresight
Review: Well Done!, Leon Wynter! I've just finished reading "American Skin," and have taken
the time and trouble to express to others (something I
rarely do) how thoroughly I enjoyed and appreciated this book. As a 72-year-old WASP Hillbilly (born and bred in the
Appalachian Hills of Southeastern Ohio), I well remember
many of the radio and early television examples you cite.
As a sometime journalist/wordsmith, I've long thought about
media and society. As you analyzed examples of which I have personal memory,
the AHA! button went off, giving me -- after all these years --
fresh insights into all sorts of things. While I expect some of your points are overdrawn, it strikes
me that your overall thesis -- the subsuming of race in our
increasingly commerce-dominated culture -- is right on the money. That, of course, is the Bad News AND the Good News. Unless
we are destined to decline and fade into an altogether
commercial culture -- something I doubt, though that may
be a hope rather than an estimate -- the arenas and means
for pursuing what Walter Lippman decades ago labelled
The Public Interest -- will have to find its wellsprings in
other sources. WELL DONE! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Rating: 
Summary: Black and White issues and other racial overtones
Review: Will there ever be a time where the color of one's skin will not matter in the scheme of societal culture? Will the melting pot have enough room to stir together all that separates the races for harmonious coexistence? The end of White America as we know it, and the beginning of truisms that the author explains in a rather stark and introspective way in his book, American Skin. Leon E. Wynter's writing style here is reminiscent of his memorable essays on race, business, and American culture (or disculture depending on how you look at it) that he's known for writing for such publications as The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Times, and the New York Newsday. The author will have you believe that the true American identity is being usurped by a new modicum for change...that white culture is declining in value, has no measure for continuity, and that which is on the rise is the sharing of consumer idioms and the blending of cultural tenets. As you read this book, one can't help but marvel at how Mr. Wynter came about to make analogies to support his thesis. Take a look at the chapters and you will agree that the emphasis he places on amalgamation reflects diversity in his point of view. Getting to the gist of what the author is trying to convey is told through the eyes of the main character, Alex Verdi as he deals with the angst via the class and racial tensions that pervade our society. It reads like a coming-of-age saga fraught with all of the ingredients inherent of a young man struggling against society to achieve success and happiness amid race matters that he has to deal with. In reading this book, one will definitely come away either impressed (depending on readers having a pragmatic sense of reasoning), or disappointed (only if readers expect something more that what hasn't been already hashed and rehashed as it pertain to racial mores). I advise one to read it with an open mind, and let the conscious dwell along with the subconscious for realism to dismiss institutional racism. Besides, the new order that the author conjures up here may not be the norm in this lifetime. Judge for yourself!
Rating: 
Summary: Generous
Review: Wynter's book, I admit, is fairly entertaining. I love his extensive background information. He pulls facts that many people probably never knew, which was great. He also presents an interesting point--white America has come to an end with the presence of Generation Y. So you're probably wondering, if the book presents good info and an interesting topic, why only 2 stars? Well, first off, I totally agree with a previous reviewer that if the colors were reversed, the book would be considered racist. Wynter makes such statements like how white kids back in the days who fit in better and dressed like the black kids were "too cool to be white." Wynter makes other comments that can be considered racist, whether intended to be or not. I think that much of it is uncalled for and does not reinforce his point. Wynter also uses too much passive voice in his argument. I know this is probably a stupid thing to focus on when reading. However, it's very annoying and takes away from his argument. Passive has its place, but he was using it every second or third sentence in the first few chapter. The number one reason, though, why I gave this book a 2 was because Wynter never focuses on contradicting evidence. His argument is good, and he supports it with historical evidence. For example, he notes how white rappers are only in it for the money (Vanilla Ice) and are not rapping because they love it or use rap as an expression of their emotion. What about Eminem? He totally contradicts this idea. There are several other things that Wynter ignores that can prove his ideas false, which makes his argument weak, and I cannot recommend a book that does not present a strong argument. (Sorry to those that loved this book!)
Rating:
Summary: Generous
Review: Wynter's book, I admit, is fairly entertaining. I love his extensive background information. He pulls facts that many people probably never knew, which was great. He also presents an interesting point--white America has come to an end with the presence of Generation Y. So you're probably wondering, if the book presents good info and an interesting topic, why only 2 stars? Well, first off, I totally agree with a previous reviewer that if the colors were reversed, the book would be considered racist. Wynter makes such statements like how white kids back in the days who fit in better and dressed like the black kids were "too cool to be white." Wynter makes other comments that can be considered racist, whether intended to be or not. I think that much of it is uncalled for and does not reinforce his point. Wynter also uses too much passive voice in his argument. I know this is probably a stupid thing to focus on when reading. However, it's very annoying and takes away from his argument. Passive has its place, but he was using it every second or third sentence in the first few chapter. The number one reason, though, why I gave this book a 2 was because Wynter never focuses on contradicting evidence. His argument is good, and he supports it with historical evidence. For example, he notes how white rappers are only in it for the money (Vanilla Ice) and are not rapping because they love it or use rap as an expression of their emotion. What about Eminem? He totally contradicts this idea. There are several other things that Wynter ignores that can prove his ideas false, which makes his argument weak, and I cannot recommend a book that does not present a strong argument. (Sorry to those that loved this book!)
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