The strength of Coleman’s writing here is that he makes you see this tragic and unfair world through the eyes of an innocent child, one who had no say in his fate.
Writer Naomi Wolf said that men abandoning families accelerated with the Industrial Revolution. Men left the farms for the factories and were enticed to drink away woes or run away. If I recall correctly, Black families had a higher intact rate at the beginning of the 20th century then white families. Prohibition was a reaction to all the men abandoning children, leaving them - sometimes literally - to starve. Prohibition unleashed its own hell, and then we stumbled onto big gov't being big daddy. But that is a lie. Men are humans that cannot be replaced by a system. And I think being forced to live a lie makes one angry.
Thanks for the great review for Coleman, an important endorsement in a growing list of positive reviews. I read him diligently on Substack. Like you and your father, he is an authentic voice…desperately needed in this world of “my truth” narcissism.
"Coleman’s childhood is one of paying for his father’s sin of abandoning him." + Spike Lee's "Two Parent Family PRIVILEGE" =
These two points. (A Father's Absence causing damage to a child & A political activist indicting 'Racism' giving an unqualified affirmation of family structure) encapsulate my frustrations with how Politics (the fight) is a distortion of how important the relationships in our lives are in producing the outcomes that are desirable.
That same absentee father who did damage to his son, could move to 'The Right Side Of History' if he became an 'Outrage Artist' Political Activism and blamed his own son's dysfunction outcomes on "The Legacy Of Oppression In America" / "Capitalism & Its Misallocation Of Justice".
Most of our problems in this country is when we expect 'collective outcomes' as a nation from domains that are highly dependent upon 'the people' to do their part (education, health outcomes, financial prosperity.). When rhetoric and lust for power is applied - the worst characters are allowed to become 'the paragons of justice' for change or not changing.
Mr. Coleman's book sounds like it is going to be a tough read! From what you've written it sounds like John 10 when Jesus spoke of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand.
Thank you Eli for the honest review. I really do appreciate your words.
Writer Naomi Wolf said that men abandoning families accelerated with the Industrial Revolution. Men left the farms for the factories and were enticed to drink away woes or run away. If I recall correctly, Black families had a higher intact rate at the beginning of the 20th century then white families. Prohibition was a reaction to all the men abandoning children, leaving them - sometimes literally - to starve. Prohibition unleashed its own hell, and then we stumbled onto big gov't being big daddy. But that is a lie. Men are humans that cannot be replaced by a system. And I think being forced to live a lie makes one angry.
Thanks for the great review for Coleman, an important endorsement in a growing list of positive reviews. I read him diligently on Substack. Like you and your father, he is an authentic voice…desperately needed in this world of “my truth” narcissism.
We as a culture need more books by persons like Coleman -- the ones who pushed themselves to overcome hard circumstances. The real heroes.
I am a big fan of both of you, Eli. I ordered my copy today.
"Coleman’s childhood is one of paying for his father’s sin of abandoning him." + Spike Lee's "Two Parent Family PRIVILEGE" =
These two points. (A Father's Absence causing damage to a child & A political activist indicting 'Racism' giving an unqualified affirmation of family structure) encapsulate my frustrations with how Politics (the fight) is a distortion of how important the relationships in our lives are in producing the outcomes that are desirable.
That same absentee father who did damage to his son, could move to 'The Right Side Of History' if he became an 'Outrage Artist' Political Activism and blamed his own son's dysfunction outcomes on "The Legacy Of Oppression In America" / "Capitalism & Its Misallocation Of Justice".
Most of our problems in this country is when we expect 'collective outcomes' as a nation from domains that are highly dependent upon 'the people' to do their part (education, health outcomes, financial prosperity.). When rhetoric and lust for power is applied - the worst characters are allowed to become 'the paragons of justice' for change or not changing.
I look forward to reading "The Children We Left Behind,"and learning more about Mr. Coleman.
A great review for a great book! If only more writers had the courage to write of psychological wounds and absent fathers....
Great writeup!
Mr. Coleman's book sounds like it is going to be a tough read! From what you've written it sounds like John 10 when Jesus spoke of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand.
Thanks for showcasing this, Eli. Ordered my copy today.