What's Going On

What's Going On is a collection of essays by Nathan McCall that examines race relations, social justice, and cultural dynamics in America. Through personal experiences and observations, McCall presents perspectives on complex issues facing Black communities in the 1990s. The essays cover topics ranging from urban life and systemic inequality to media representation and interpersonal relationships across racial lines. McCall draws from his background as both a journalist and a Black man navigating American society to analyze these interconnected themes. McCall writes with a direct, journalistic style while incorporating intimate personal narratives and social commentary. His essays move between individual stories and broader societal analysis, creating connections between lived experience and structural issues. This collection contributes to crucial conversations about race, power, and identity in American life. The essays challenge readers to consider multiple viewpoints while examining how social conditions shape both individual lives and collective understanding.

Readers note McCall's personal perspective and firsthand experience exploring racial dynamics in America. Multiple reviews mention his ability to break down complex social issues into relatable examples from daily life. Readers appreciated: - Clear writing style that avoids academic jargon - Mix of statistics with real-world stories - Balanced examination of both Black and white viewpoints - Focus on solutions rather than just problems Common criticisms: - Some readers found it repetitive - A few felt McCall oversimplified certain issues - Discussion of workplace racism needed more depth - Limited coverage of other racial/ethnic groups Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Sample review: "McCall presents uncomfortable truths about race relations that made me examine my own assumptions. His personal stories stuck with me more than any academic text could." -Goodreads reviewer

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin Baldwin's essays on race relations in America connect personal narrative with social analysis in ways that illuminate systemic inequalities through lived experience.

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore Two men with the same name from Baltimore trace divergent life paths, revealing how environment and opportunity shape outcomes in Black communities.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Written as a letter to his son, Coates examines race, identity, and power structures in America through personal reflection and historical context.

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander This analysis of mass incarceration and systemic racism connects historical patterns to contemporary social structures affecting Black communities.

Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall McCall's memoir traces his path from street life to journalism, examining race relations and social conditions through personal experience.

🔷 Nathan McCall worked as a journalist for The Washington Post and has taught journalism at Emory University since 2001. 🔷 Before becoming a writer, McCall served three years in prison during his youth, an experience he detailed in his bestselling memoir "Makes Me Wanna Holler." 🔷 The book's title "What's Going On" shares its name with Marvin Gaye's influential 1971 song, which similarly addressed social issues and racial inequality in America. 🔷 The essays were written during the late 1990s, a period that saw significant national dialogue about race following events like the O.J. Simpson trial and the Million Man March. 🔷 McCall's work in this collection builds on a tradition of African American social commentary writing that includes authors like James Baldwin and Ta-Nehisi Coates.