Matthew C Stelly

Crisis OF Black and White Matthew C Stelly

In 1966, Charles E. Silberman penned a book titled, Crisis in Black and White. For the time the book was informative but nevertheless replete with general truisms regarding race relations and several stereotypical chapter headings (for example, "Beer Can in the Cotton Patch"). This book is a 50 year retrospective analysis of what Silberman outlined with emphasis on how race relations in America have changed since that time period. Emphasis is placed on the roles of riots, police-community relations and various attempts at "social services" in addressing the issues of the black community. In addition, a functional definition of "ghetto" is provided to readers. Crisis OF Black and White, by its very name is a far cry from Silberman's Crisis IN Black and White. His work was descriptive and evocative, with this tome being far more critical and analytical.