"In this ambitious collection of essays on racial conflict in the contemporary US, Watson provides historical context for the consequences of persistent racism. . . . The book’s four parts examine the events that have exacerbated racial tensions in the 21st century, including the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, a broken criminal justice system, and the harmful effects of 'whitelash' on low-income people of color prior to the housing crisis of 2008. Watson then analyzes the rise of alt-right figures and the impact of their attacks on the black community, which has struggled to stay 'woke' in the shadow of perpetual violence inflicted on nonwhite bodies. He concludes with commentary on figures in popular culture and the detrimental effect of their celebrity status on black Americans. Keepin’ It Real is equally accessible to general and academic readerships, providing vital context and contemporary discourse on the state of race relations in Trump's America. . . . Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals."

CHOICE

"A raw study of racism. . . . The book's structure and wide range of subjects are admirable. Watson fits an impressive range of content into every short chapter without producing underdeveloped critiques. . . . He deftly aligns his essays to show how repeated patterns have been normalized, and argues that racism is a permanent and intrinsic component of the United States. In this way, Keepin' It Real might be compared to Derrick Bell's Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism. Watson adeptly weaves pop culture and news into his observations. . . . Keepin' It Real is a reminder to non-Black readers that it is easy to praise conveniently selected pieces of a culture that is tied to a different race when we do not have to live their everyday struggle."

Los Angeles Review of Books

"A compelling new book by historian Elwood David Watson, Ph.D is recommended reading for Black History Month and every month. . . . All audiences can benefit from Watson’s astute analysis and important insights on recent controversial issues involving racial equality and social justice. Watson deftly chronicles racism in contemporary society with a no-holds-barred approach which provides much needed transparency in today's overly saturated high-tech Information Age. . . . Keepin’ It Real effectively echoes [Dr. Martin Luther] King’s prophetic message."

David B. Grinberg | American Diversity Report

"It is fantastic. . . . What I love about this book is it's broken into little chunks [that] cover everything from white supremacy to white fragility—all issues that have impacted the Black community in america over the last ten years . . . but it's written in manageable, chewable segments. . . . I really want people to read this book."

Amped Up with Ryan Knight

"[Watson] tackles the prominent racial issues and inflection points of the past decade, always with an eye towards the prophetic truth-telling of Baldwin, which resonates today, and the poignant analysis of DuBois. . . . Keepin’ It Real lays the groundwork for the current national reckoning on racism. . . . In many ways, Keepin’ It Real discusses Black people, race relations and the permanence of white racism in the tradition of Derrick Bell and his Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism and Cornel West’s Race Matters. In his latest work, a collection of thought-provoking and insightful essays, Watson continues this legacy of truth-telling and analysis undertaken by a previous generation of scholars. While he examines the universality of America’s original sin as others before him, he does so with a badly needed upgrade and within the context of the past decade, one of the most tumultuous periods in modern U.S. history."

Global African Worker

"This brilliantly written, intellectually honest essay collection examines the complex manifestations of race in the contemporary context. It references academic research to support its claims, but its strength lies in confronting the past and present reality of Black dehumanization and devaluation in the United States with vivid facts and events. It deftly uses the evidence to expose the weaknesses of opposing arguments. It addresses difficult topics, such as Black self-hatred, the politics of homophobia in the Black community, sparring between Black intellectuals, sexism and violence against Black women. . . . This important book reminds us of the reckoning we face if we work to transcend racial animus and subjugation in this country. Nothing short of a broad-based commitment to action will eradicate racial injustice. We may not want to hear the book’s direct judgments and prescriptions, but they are what we need to hear to forge a way through the contemporary moment. In short, this book lives up to its title. Watson’s Keepin’ It Real is essential reading for all people—White, Black, young, old, conservative, liberal, domestic, foreign, justice proponents and naysayers—who want to know how we got here and how we might move forward toward a better state."

Omari Scott Simmons, Howard L. Oleck Professor of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law

"This brilliantly written, intellectually honest essay collection examines the complex manifestations of race in the contemporary context. It references academic research to support its claims, but its strength lies in confronting the past and present reality of Black dehumanization and devaluation in the United States with vivid facts and events. It deftly uses the evidence to expose the weaknesses of opposing arguments. It addresses difficult topics, such as Black self-hatred, the politics of homophobia in the Black community, sparring between Black intellectuals, sexism, and violence against Black women. . . . This important book reminds us of the reckoning we face if we work to transcend racial animus and subjugation in this country. Nothing short of a broad-based commitment to action will eradicate racial injustice. We may not want to hear the book’s direct judgments and prescriptions, but they are what we need to hear to forge a way through the contemporary moment. . . . Essential reading for all people—White, Black, young, old, conservative, liberal, domestic, foreign, justice proponents and naysayers—who want to know how we got here and how we might move forward toward a better state." 

The Good Men Project

"Watson manages to keep the chapters short without producing critiques that are underdeveloped. There is no condescension or superfluous exposition in this book. Watson knows his audience and seems confident in their ability to engage in the conversations that he constructed. Even in its easy-going, conversational tone, Watson’s background as an educator is evident. Watson takes care to contextualize the essays' focus on contemporary issues by situating them historically. . . . He set out to have a much-needed conversation about race issues in contemporary America. He swung the door open for us to enter the chat with him."

Black Perspectives