Deals with the Devil
by Pearl Cleage

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Book Reviews of Deals with the Devil

Book Review: Incisive
Summary: 4 Stars

I was a little put off by the first few essays in this collection because the author comes off as overwrought in the discussions about sexism, but the more I read with an objective eye I began to get upset myself. If it is true as she says that five women are murdered each day by men who claim to love them -- then why aren't more people discussing this? Domestic abuse certainly affects Black women across all socieconomic strata, yet you rarely hear Black leaders discussing it. Where is the outrage and condemnation? Where are Jesse, Johnnie, Al and all the other perennial frontmen for issues of race and racism? I am ashamed to admit that I never really gave much thought to sexism and domestic abuse, and this book was a real eye-opener.

"Mad at Miles," asks why so many people continued to support an artist who admitted to being abusive to his wife and was rumored to have beaten other women also. According to Cleage, fans were willing to turn a blind eye to Davis' mean streak even after he revealed in book that a frightened Cicely Tyson once called the police on him after he slapped the taste out of her mouth. And the incident isn't relayed with any sense of remorse. Still, folks continue to buy his work reasoning that she either asked for it, or protesting that his private life was off-limits. Cleage asks whether the same support would be afforded to a White artist who admitted to beating Black men who got on his nerves. Very interesting. While Cleage is Mad at Miles, she is supportive (if uncomfortably) of Luther Campbell's right to make his profane "music" and even allowed her teenage daughter to buy his CD.

Although Cleage takes issue with Black men who supported Clarence Thomas publicly while voicing their misgivings privately just for the sake of supporting the brother, she is also critical of Anita Hill for having taken so long to come forward about the harrassment she endured at his hands. This delay lead Cleage to question whether Hill is really the "Shero" she was made out to be after the hearings concluded. The way Cleage sees it, Hill's failure to report the harrassment violated the laws she was supposed to be uphold, and she only came forward during the hearings because she was compelled to do so, which was not quite as honorable as it would have been had she come forward on her own. Or even better, if she had reported Uncle Thomas way back when he first got out of line.

Passionate and informed, Cleage has firm opinions on everything, and while I might not always agree with her position, I do admire her zeal. And just because you don't agree with someone that doesn't preclude you from learning something from her. This book will make you rethink some things about your own thought process and values, and for that I am grateful. After all, it is challenge that leads to growth.

Summary of Deals with the Devil

African American Books

• Subjects > Literature & Fiction > United States > African American
• Social Sciences