Praeger Publishers The 1999 Kent Psychology Forum is the origin of this book. It is an attempt by Black social scientists to present a plea for research that accurately exposes what it means to be a Black adolescent growing up in America. The anecdote selected to open the book and express its aim is an interview with a Black mother and her teenage daughter who is a high-achieving student in a white school. The mother says that if the daughter treats people well, everything will be all right. The daughter's response is "My mother doesn't understand what it means to be a Black kid." The thrust of the book is to dismiss most research concerned with Blacks by seeing it as the mistaken and oppressive effort of White middle class society to continue the subjugation of Blacks. Then follow the suggestions for research that will more accurately inform Blacks and Whites about being Black in America. These suggestions may be evaluated in terms of their scientific rigor and the likely quality of data that may come out of them. There may indeed be credible and reliable information forthcoming. However, there is a danger that the approach and the suggested plans for research may serve to solidify and strengthen the immersion of Black Americans in the role of perpetual victim of White exploitation and oppression. That can only be assessed when some of the research suggestions are carried out and the reports begin to be made available. Reviewed by Ralph Underwager, Institute for Psychological Therapies.
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