Beyond the Down Low: Sex and Denial and Black America by Keith Boykin, E. Lynn Harris (Foreword by)

BUY IT NEW

  • Limited Time Offer! Everyone receives the Member Price on books.
    See Details
  • This item is currently out of stock.
  • Add To List uiAction=GetAllLists&page=List&pageType=list&ean=9780786714346&productCode=BK&maxCount=100&threshold=3

BUY IT USED

27 copies from $1.99

See All Available

(Hardcover)

  • Pub. Date: February 2005
  • 256pp

Reader Rating: (1 ratings)

See All Detailed Ratings

    Buy it Used: 27 copies from $1.99 See All Available
     
    • Overview
    • Editorial Reviews
    • Customer Reviews
    • Features

    Product Details

    • Pub. Date: February 2005
    • Publisher: Da Capo Press
    • Format: Hardcover, 256pp

    Synopsis

    Bolstered by national television exposure on Oprah and a cover story in the New York Times Magazine, the "down low"—a term used to refer to "straight" men who have sex with men—was thrust into the open in 2004. Keith Boykin, a former Clinton White House aide, goes beyond the hype with the first responsible, eye-opening look at the down low sensation. Unlike all previous accounts on the topic, Beyond the Down Low presents the DL not merely as a problem of gay and bisexual men living in the shadows, but more as an example of America's unwillingness to engage in critical but uncomfortable conversations about black sexuality. Boykin details how society has helped to create an environment where black gay and bisexual men feel compelled to lead double lives. Meanwhile, the dialogue that has taken place in the black community encourages an unhealthy battle of the sexes, ignores the complexity of the closet, demonizes bisexuality, disempowers women, and misdirects public resources and attention. This book is a timely and well researched answer to the question, "Why are so many black men on the DL?" More importantly, it is an essential tool to pry open the closet door in black America.

    The Washington Post - Tricia Rose

    Boykin adds a great deal of balance to a debate that has been aflame for years. It is impossible to come away from this book without a greater appreciation for the humanity of black men generally and for those who -- because of shame, fear and stigma -- act in unethical ways that may have grave consequences for their partners. This is a crucial step toward breaking the silences and false expectations about sexuality and race that have us all imprisoned.

    More Reviews and Recommendations

    Customer Reviews

    • Reader Rating:
    • Ratings: 1Reviews: 1

    Beyond the Down Low: Sex and Denial and Black Americaby Anonymous

    Reader Rating:
    See Detailed Ratings

    March 23, 2005: Author Keith Boykin has come up with a credible and sensible discourse that addresses the new hysteria over a cultural norm that is as old as culture itself. The recent media hype over black men on the down low has once again found a commercial way to heighten fear and loathing of the black man in America, this time with a new psychological twist on the old black-on-black crime scenario. Before Boykin?s calming low down on the down low scare, money-making misinformation once again pitted black women against black men, black straights against black gays, and the black church against itself. In ?Beyond The Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America? Boykin quickly dispels the myth that the down low is an exclusive `pathology? of African American men who secretly have sex with men while also having sex with women. Though some may debate the morality of homosexuality and bisexuality, their existence throughout time are well documented, as is infidelity, none of which, the author points out, are exclusive to any one race, nationality, and/or gender. Having gotten this rather simplistic but often ignored point out of the way, Boykin goes for solutions by first challenging the `clockability? of men on the so-called down low. His book lives up to its title by going beyond the blame game and calling upon those in the black community to share in the responsibilities of healing and ultimately uniting a house so many are hell-bent on dividing. He reminds us of the indomitable strength of the black woman, a power some would neutralize by reducing her to a helpless victim. He reminds us of the against-all-odds power of the black man in an America that skews statistics and media crucifies for self-serving perception. Still, he does not let the black community off the hook, hastening us toward responsibilities we are divinely obligated to assume collectively and individually. His advice is tough, sound, and user-friendly. Finally, Boykin reminds us that in this fight for our lives, the enemy is not the black man, is not the black woman, is not the black church, and is not the down low. The enemy is beyond the down low. The enemy is AIDS, abetted by denial, ignorance, bigotry, and hysteria.