cover image Faith of Our Fathers: 8african-American Men Reflect on Fatherhood

Faith of Our Fathers: 8african-American Men Reflect on Fatherhood

. Dutton Books, $22.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-525-94158-3

Despite the presence of several big names, few of the 12 original essays in this collection display dazzling style. However, this book has value as a solid, honest survey of the range and challenges of black fatherhood--from the perspectives of sons and of fathers. Cornel West offers a eulogy for his ""deeply Christian"" father, who never lost his capacity to love, while John Edgar Wideman, prompted by learning (at the age of 51) of his father's out-of-wedlock son, attempts to understand the burdens his closemouthed dad had carried. Others are fighting their legacies: Anthony Cook describes how he finally learned to give the unconditional love his father denied him, while Robin D.G. Kelley explains that his authoritarian father taught him ""the limitations of patriarchy as a model."" Most contributors address race explicitly. Delfeayo Marsalis recalls how his father conveyed a ""refined, contemplative type of militancy."" Playthell Benjamin reflects on the crises in values and economics that have devastated the black family, while Michael G. Hanchard dissects media stereotypes of black men as irresponsible fathers. Although the collection has good variety, one absence is a voice from the hip-hop generation. (June)