The Devil You Know

A Black Power Manifesto

By: Charles M. Blow

Narrated by: JD Jackson

From journalist and New York Times best-selling author Charles Blow comes a powerful manifesto and call to action for Black Americans to amass political power and fight white supremacy.

Race, as we have come to understand it, is a fiction; but, racism, as we have come to live it, is a fact. The point here is not to impose a new racial hierarchy, but to remove an existing one. After centuries of waiting for White majorities to overturn white supremacy, it seems to me that it has fallen to Black people to do it themselves.

Acclaimed columnist and author Charles Blow never wanted to write a “race book.” But as violence against Black people - both physical and psychological - seemed only to increase in recent years, culminating in the historic pandemic and protests of the summer of 2020, he felt compelled to write a new story for Black Americans. He envisioned a succinct, counterintuitive, and impassioned corrective to the myths that have for too long governed our thinking about race and geography in America. Drawing on both political observations and personal experience as a Black son of the South, Charles set out to offer a call to action by which Black people can finally achieve equality, on their own terms.

So what will it take to make lasting change when small steps have so frequently failed? It’s going to take an unprecedented shift in power. The Devil You Know is a groundbreaking manifesto, proposing nothing short of the most audacious power play by Black people in the history of this country. This book is a grand exhortation to generations of a people, offering a road map to true and lasting freedom.

©2021 Charles M. Blow (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

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If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired read and apply now!

Familiar topics, but also very enlightening...

I highly recommend this book! Simply put, I was aware, or at least semi informed of most of the topics covered, but thankfully the author added multiple levels of insightful personal experiences, and wrote in a way that was honest, informative, and highly motivating.

This is a great gift of must read knowledge and true concern.

The information

I felt more enlightenment regarding black history The concept of reverse migration is new to me

Wow!

When is enough, enough? When will equality really come? C Blow suggestion to move South make sense. A power revolution thru political numbers. 400 years is enough, throw out “just be patient “ and garner the votes to truly make a difference. At 74 I don’t think I’ll live to see it happen. But I think this is the best path to equality. Mr Blow is NYT best columnist.

amazing

JD Jackson is amazing. that being said, this is a must read for all American Descendants of Slaves. The Great Migration was a chapter that is no over. Mr. Blow makes an amazing argument that the Great Return must occur to ensure the safety of Black Americans.

Excellent information a true education!

Good historical facts / A different perspective on Black American future ! Easy to read Great to listen to!

The audio is wonderful. The cover is dynamic.

The audio is wonderful. The cover is dynamic.
I've never had so many conflicting opinions about a book. I love it then criticize it from all sides at the same time. Therefore, it isn't boring. The best way for me to put the fiction of race and supremacy in perspective is to change the names of the players.
When the white people are labeled "Robots" and black people are "Cyborgs" and everyone else is an "Android" the book in physical form is very interesting.

Important...necessary...resonate...hopeful

I’ve listened to several interviews Mr. Blow has done with regard to his book, his manifesto and his overarching views of where we are and where we’ve been as a group. So I thought I knew what to expect in and from the book. I was wrong.

While there were the expected passages of depressive events, there was far more hope and the laying out of a more positive path than we have been traveling. I too have tired of explaining or seeking equity. I have grown exhausted waiting for others to get right while they continue to kill and marginalize us. As Richard Prior once said, “When we seek Justice that’s pretty much what we find...just us.”

I’ve been contemplating moving to NC but given the history, have been a bit reticent. This book, this message, this invitation has made it more of a possibility.

Incredibly Inspiring view on migration!

Very encouraging to someone who just made the move. This book gives greater historical perspective and forward vision on the central purpose of migration, taking up space in a meaningful and power-filled way.

Educational

I liked the frankness of the author. Would recommend to anybody willing to hear unfortunate truths about how this country has not lived up to its ideals when it comes to the black community and one way to change the status quo.