Beyond Black: Celebrity and Race in Obama's America

(Paperback)

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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 Beyonc 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.

Reviews

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) *
Well researched and engaging. It brings an array of scholars, pundits and critics of the Black entertainment elite into the conversation....Cashmore writes with punch and candor, making this text the stuff of dinnertime banter and Facebook quips ... Because of its breadth and accessibility, the book could make a good teaching tool, an introduction to the colour-blind racism in US pop culture that resonates with Gen Xers, Yers and Millenials. Cashmore presents a compelling case for the continuing relevance of racism in America...the book provides a generally captivating, if not depressing, account of how Black celebrities have helped to market Americas hyperconsumerism and liberal individualism. -- Chandra Russo, University of California , Santa Barbara , CA , USA * Ethnic and Racial Studies *
Excellent. -- Les Gofton, Durham University * Times Higher Education *

Author Bio

Ellis Cashmore is Professor of Culture, Media and Sport at Staffordshire University, UK