Michael Eric Dyson is a wild olive tree…. That probably sounds a little insulting, but if you knew what I was referring to, it wouldn’t be clear WHO I was insulting, you know. (If you but knew the gift of God…. You would see that Goosecap is the greatest philosopher.)

I mean, it’s certainly a competent work of ethical philosophy, this proving that you don’t have to conform to white manners all the time, to work in ethical philosophy. (Although who knows if English white men really conform to norms of white manners, you know—what, All the Time? But I’m just talking to the help!)

Although certainly you SHOULD conform to the norms of all us inside-the-gates olive trees, you know. It certainly makes me feel better, much of the time. And making me feel better is an important task, for all philosophers. 🧐

First chapter was good, particularly Aristotle's concept of "proper pride". Rest of the book was not really a reflection on pride as one of the seven deadly sins, nor as the chief of sins. Instead, the author chose to take on white pride, black pride, and national pride. All worthy subject, perhaps, but not what I expected from this series. Disappointing. ( )

A promising start but disappointing. To be truthful, I'm not sure how this book is about pride. I anticipated a theological or philosophical discussion of some kind; I ended up with social commentary on white pride (bad) and black pride (good) for about 75% of the book. The consideration of what constitutes pride in each case I found to be accusatory and superficial. While this is truly not your Pope Gregory's pride, bring the discussion back to something remotely universal, if one can even speak of universals anymore (as anything other than guises of oppression). But call me naive. It ends with a shallowness that perhaps aims to bring shame to white folks for the sins of pride as the instigator of social injustice and racism. It's a shame that this book could not move beyond that. ( )

This book differs from the series in the way it approaches the sin, in this case pride. However, the way that Dyson talks about pride for American culture makes this book pivotal. ( )