Book Recommendation

"A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win" by Shelby Steele is recommended reading for all who want to understand Barack Obama and his politics. The book gives information about Obama and his life with an absent black father and white mother. Steele also tells of Obama's support and participation in black activism.

Steele is also the son of a black father and white mother and also was a civil rights activist. His newspaper columns and books now give the message that the people of the black community need to take responsibility for their own welfare. He feels that affirmative action deprives people of their self-satisfaction in their successes.

In "A Bound Man" Steele tells of the icons in the black community, Oprah, Tiger Woods, star athletes and celebrities, and others, who will not speak out to encourage young people to be good citizens and students and to take responsibility. One former icon is the entertainer Bill Cosby who has given many speeches on the necessity for personal responsibility and citizenship. He is no longer considered and icon.

"A Bound Man" is available at Longmont Public Library and the catalog number is 328.73.