Scam: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America

by Jesse Lee Peterson

Book Overview

The civil rights establishment, contends Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, has made a career off the downturn of America's inner city, promising solutions but offering only a Band-Aid. Peterson's is a platform of empowerment, teaching individuals and families how to tap into the power within, rather than depending on handouts. Chronicling the failure of the welfare system, denouncing the notion of reparations, citing problems within black churches, and even...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785263314
• ISBN13: 9780785263319
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely Brilliant

( I am an Indian ( Asian ) immigrant who chose USA to be my country. I do not consider myself to be an American-Indian/Indian/Indian-American etc. ) What is surprising me is the fact that a lot of the mentalities Peterson mentions are also prevalent in the Indian communities - victim of racism mentality, Indocentric views, hatred towards whites etc. Most of them will openly say in an Indian gathering that "Im here just for the money. Otherwise I hate this place". ( Like Peterson notices they say another thing when Americans are present - "I am a liberal" ) What is hypocritical about the Indian community is the fact that though most of them will give you enough testimonies to prove themselves to be the victims of racism. On the other hand they will never say anything good about blacks. Their complaint about racism is only limited to them being treated as equals by whites. Very few of them will allow their children to date a Black kid. This is a book every Indian should read. Not only is this a brilliantly written book, but also a very well researched one. Obviously Peterson and his efforts with his BOND organization are very laudable. I am also writing a check today to BOND. I can only wish that there will be at least one leader with half the courage of Peterson, in the Indian community who will have the guts to call a spade a spade.

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson: America's Best Kept Secret

Scam is one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life. Rev. Peterson does a tremendous job in presenting facts and truths about the plight of black Americans that the civil rights establishment is in denial of to keep our people in mental bondage. He challenges the group identity, that all blacks have to believe, vote, and think alike and why we often behave like we do. The standard is biblical morality and personal responsibility. I'm a black pastor, who's Republican, and I've read excerpts of this book while preaching sermons, particularly at Men's Conferences so black men will know that they've been deceived and have been loyal to culture and not to truth. It is the truth that we know that makes us free. Every black person in America who's literate should read this book. It will challenge and change your life where other liberal blacks will not have to do your thinking for you, but you can think for yourself. Bennie E. Calloway, III Douglas, Georgia

Direct and to the point

First off, I am black and proud to be so. Rev. Petersen's book is a breath of fresh air. He exposes black "leadership" as being in it for themselves. The past civil right leaders made sacrifices and weren't concerned about themselves, but looked to the future. Petersen points out how the current "leaders" really put their own self-interests first. My dad taught me that "you don't pull yourself up by putting someone else down" -something these "leaders" have not learned.He is gives strong evidence for stating that the lack of real leadership by black men is one of the key reasons for the problems in the black community (which unfortunately may be a foreshadowing of general American society). He identifies that racism, though it exists (and frankly will never go away) is not the cause of the black man's plight, but rather used as an excuse for our moral failings. I'm tired of seeing these leaders rush to defend criminals, and define bad behavior as part of "black culture", while putting down blacks who have achieved leadership but have different political views. I always though that a true sign of how black people have advanced is our ability to be believe in different things and respect each others beliefs. The writing style, while not outstanding, is easy to read. Petersen may seem too repetitive on some points, but many of them need to be repeated. In summary, I think Petersen makes a strong case for not only exposing the hyprocrisy of these "leaders", but showing how we as a people can better improve our lot by first taking responsibility for our own actions, and then working to improve them.

Disturbing & unfortunate truths about our culture

This is the story you dont hear in the media. If you think that Bill Cosby's recent speeches have any validity then this is the book for you. It has statistics that are absolutely frightening. If you think Bill Cosby's recent speeches are a myth, then this is also the book for you because you have been deceived. I know many Americans who blame their current problems on whites ... this book explains why that view is nonsense. The out-of wedlock birthrate of black americans is over 70%, yet never a word about this from the NAACP or Mr. Jackson. This book gets a little emotive at times but is backed by many facts and statistics from a man who has been active to live what he preaches. A quick, informative read.

In a word.... OUCH!

In the early 20th century, Booker T.Washington had a premonition:"There is another class of coloured people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs - partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose their grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs."Sounds like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, and Louis Farrakhan to me.Thus opens the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson's new book, "SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America" (WND Books, 2003). Peterson, founder and president of the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny (BOND) and author of "From Rage to Responsibility," lays into the modern day civil rights establishment in ways that would make even Rush Limbaugh wince. He shows the ways in which this "other class of coloured people" profits from black misery and racial strife just as Booker T. Washington described almost a century ago. In exposing modern day black "leadership" for what it truly is, the author's main thesis is that the problems of the black community are due to a lack of moral character and not racism. In other words, we no longer need leaders - we need change. Peterson devotes an entire chapter on the abysmal failing of the NAACP and why that organization should be boycotted, showing how "the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization" is completely out of step with the needs of black America. Over 90% of black homicides in America are committed by other blacks, but instead of addressing the root causes of black-on-black crime, the NAACP absurdly blames gun manufacturers. The average black public high school graduate has in reality only an eighth-grade education, yet the NAAPC vehemently opposes school choice - a policy overwhelming supported by black parents. Over 70% of black babies in America are born out of wedlock, yet Julian Bond and Kweisi Mfume would prefer to tackle "more important" issues - such as the supposed lack of minorities on popular television shows. Peterson sums up his critique by concluding "If the NAACP were truly concerned about black issues, it would focus most of its attention on black-on-black crime, restoring morality in black men, and supporting policies that strengthen black families... But as these moves would increase the real-world welfare of blacks... the NAACP wants nothing to do with them." Ouch!"SCAM" addresses how the fear of publicly being labeled "racist" causes many whites to hold their tongues when they see things run amuck in the black community (yet black liberals are given virtual carte blanche to publicly spew all manner of invective at whites and/or black conservatives). This fear prevents Americans from engaging in honest dialogue about race (think of the recent f