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Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice just signed a $2 million deal with Crown last week for a trio of memoirs -- the first about her years in the Bush administration; the second about her extraordinary life including growing up in Birmingham, Ala.; and the third geared to young adults.
As perhaps the closest person to former president George W. Bush, Rice knows where many of the skeletons of that administration are buried. She may be able to shed some light on numerous topics such as the real reason we went to war in Iraq. But will she? And another question: Will we care?
While she has had an illustrious career (provost of Stanford, concert pianist, Russian scholar) filled with many historic firsts (first black woman national security advisor and first black woman secretary of state), she hasn't held such a welcome position within the black community.
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Some have accused Rice of being a sellout just by being part of the Bush administration, while others have been confused by her disconnect from the community from which she hails. That may be the reason why she has never graced the cover of Essence magazine -- the premier magazine devoted to the African American woman. (Queen Latifah was on the cover of the issue in which Rice was featured in 2006.)
When she received an NAACP award in 2002, it sparked controversy and protests among civil rights leaders. Rice is controversial and perhaps even divisive, but does she deserve the support of blacks?
"I will definitely be buying her book," said literary agent and former senior editor for Simon & Schuster Tracy Sherrod. "While I may not agree with her politics, I feel that she is relevant, and I am interested in hearing her views on a host of different issues. I think it will be an important book. And I don't feel we have the luxury to not support her or anyone else in our community, particularly now."
With the first black president of the United States, perhaps it's time we reexamine what it means to be black. Maybe it's time to accept those who don't necessarily share the same views.
"Black people often complain about being viewed as monolithic, and here is someone who is different, and I don't think she should be attacked for being different," said Melody Guy, a senior editor at Random House's One World, who recently published 'Numbers,' a novel by rapper Dana Dane.
"Now more than ever, people are so clued into our political landscape. Her book should be as relevant to blacks as it will be to anyone else. She is a part of our community. I would love to have the opportunity to publish someone like her."
Comments: (172)
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By: Dee on 2/26/2009 2:21PM
Accourse she's relevent to Black America, even though several blacks don't agree with her being apart of the Bush administration. Sooner or later, blacks will start striking out at Obama, saying he's not doing enough for the black community.
Black people, especially if you were born after 1970, must realize that there are no more excuses--No more I didn't have a father, I grew up poor, My mom left us, My dad left us. Even if one has been affected by one of these things, after a set back, he or she could still achieve!
As for Condeleeza, I think she's relevant because she's made the same strides as Barack Obama, just her journey led her to be a part of the Republican party. And I'm not mad at her.
I will definately read her book. And yes, I'm black and a registered Democrat.
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By: Judy Lynn Clark Ferguson on 2/27/2009 9:04AM
IS SHE AFRICAN AMERICA?
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By: david m boyd on 2/27/2009 9:25AM
When black people love their people they always find a way to show it. Have you ever seen Dr. Rice show love for her people. A little nodd or physical gesture would be easily recognizable. I really feel hurt by her lack participation in social events for blacks in america.. However she still expects us to rush out and buy her two latest books. I urge black americans to support those who recognize you. Don't be duped by the color of ones skin. Maybe she should think back on the many contributions of blacks americans, yes, even those right there in Birmingham, Alabama who were beaten, burned, murdered, denied basic human rights just so she could have the oppourtunity to become a black first.
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By: Arthur Alexander on 2/27/2009 9:34AM
She is okay and goodlooking. I would like to date her, but I am married. We must realize that we have our own views and must not be sterotype. History will judge whether she was right or wrong.
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By: Amie on 2/27/2009 10:02AM
Karen, you are right on point...She still has that massa mentality. Look at her hair.! Don't she realize, this is a new generation? Get lost, and don't come back, a$$ kisser Condasleeza
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By: Grace on 2/27/2009 10:13AM
She is relevant because she is history. However, I must agree that I expected her to be more sympathic and agressive because she was raised in an area in Birmingham, AL where there were strong Blacks who played a great part in the Civil Rights days with Dr. King. She was raised in the area of Center Street Elementary School (it was called another name by the government in which the land was bought to sale homes to professional Blacks, school teachers, doctors, etc). During the Civil Rights days when the KKK was on the rise, the Black male owners of that area sat on their porches at night with rifles to defend their property from the KKK. The Black women prepared meals and coffee to help keep the men awake at night and they all went to work the next day. They were strong people and some of them taught Conde! She should remember and maybe that is where her strength came from. Maybe she learned how to use the white man's ways against them by using the trust technique to penetrate their world and she did! She made it to the White House like Colin did. Maybe she is not as bad as most people may think, but smarter than they gave her credit for. She and Colin had different ways of doing things just as Dr King and Malcolm X had different ways of doing things. But they all made history, were effective and you cannot distroy.
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By: Arthur Alexander on 2/27/2009 10:47AM
Grace you hit the nail on the head. If she, Ms. Rice, had resigned her position we probably wouldn't have an Obama for president now. You are very smart and should be working in the whitehouse. Call up Obama because he need a lot of help. Ms Rice really admired Obama and Obama should seek some advice from her. She helped in the silient way.
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By: nate on 2/27/2009 10:25AM
you need to ask her if she's relevant to black americans....she should have been one of the first to embrace President Obama since it's not about your politicla affilliations etc...she was not even in one picture with the black man who was running and won the presidency...but she was there every time that no good beast was on camera...so you tell me is she relevant to black people....maybe to show you how sellouts represent...just looking out for self...her and justice c thomas...but that is our history...field N vs house N
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By: imhotepenra on 2/27/2009 10:41AM
our mis-education of the negros allow us to accept our sell-outs because they are rewarded and we stand in line to be the next rewarded sell-out. when we re-educate our strong youth we'll have a end to that cut and dry post tramatic slave syndrome nonsense. how do we applaud the brother or sister cracking his whip on our back for the enemy?
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By: imhotepenra on 2/27/2009 11:07AM
white own and control black websites should be outlawed. hell no we feel strong about that
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