Organizing the discussion

First off, thanks for making me aware of this - I didn't realize it was a book... off to amazon.

I haven't been in a book club, but my 2c...

My suggestion is for people to volunteer to host/introduce a particular chapter. Maybe present a brief synopsis of it, select and ask a main question of particular interest to them... And then people can jump in, in response either to the question posed, or just keep adding their insights or own questions as it flows along.

Something I would be extremely grateful for, would be an opportunity for people to jump in and suggest any further reading pertaining to that chapter topic... that way it broadens 'our' reading and knowledge and points of view.

This is not a pot shot at art_gurl...... she and I have much in common.... and in many ways I think she's cool..

this is not personal.......

however,

this is inspired by her comment....

bolstered by high frustration in general I'm having today....

(I feel like I have to explain everything on this board---lest people start assuming ulterior motives)

but, in all sincerity......

Will Black folk ever come together.... seriously, without having to let "everybody" in on business that we need to take care of?

Does everyone's opinion of us ALWAYS count?

Is there never a point where we need to take care of our business ALONE?

Read.... without any other culture or race's (definition deemed by us).... input?


Peace,
Virtue

quote:

Originally posted by art_gurl:
virtue, I am not taking your comment personally either, however the question was asked about the process not the content.

Cool.... then you understand that my response had nothing to do with the current conversation (On the Covenant)...... it had to do with Black folk discussing issues that affect us in general.....

quote:

I haven't read this book and if you reread my post will see that its context was purely about the format, and not suggesting that I might personally comment or participate in.

Okay.... I wasn't addressing your need to comment or not comment... I wasn't addressing your input into this discussion in particular at all.... hence the words inspired by

quote:

[why do people always figure suggestions are made soley for the express purpose of self-indulgence? ]

good question...

quote:

IF I do get to read the book however, and feel I have anything to contribute then I will, uncensored or edited by you or anyone else.

I thought you were'nt taking this personally....

at any rate..... go for it..... I don't have that right or capacity..... and it wasn't my suggestion... you misunderstood me, unfortunately....

quote:

It is highly UNLIKELY that this book is available here, or that I deem myself either wise enough or well-versed enough to comment on its comments.

Just know that it wasn't my intention to judge you one way or another.... because again.... your comment..... meaning as a white woman commenting on Black issues..... I found the set up a springboard for an idea in my head I thought to question..... let me make myself clear again...... that has no bearing on the current discussion..... I simply read the dialogue here and had a thought... base off the idea that was taking place.... "Black folk discussing our problems"..... I wasn't addressing this particular Covenant..... I just thought.... Here we are again.... discussing things.... in the limelight..... and with everyone's input..... well.... perhaps.... I do not believe that when an idea strikes me that is not narrowly directed to the topic at hand I should not speak it.... however, because I can see how a thread can deteriorate quickly from the topic at hand.... I think I will try to self-impose this rule upon myself..... so as not to be misunderstood...

quote:

I find VALUE however in reading, absorbing and CONSIDERING others' points of view. That is what my definition of living is... being able to hear as well as speak.

Great we need more people of European descent to take a sincere interest in our plight....
of being up under the foot of those of European descent......

cool....

quote:

I am not offended but listen up...

I should hope not..... because it wasn't my intention to offend... I was simply venting..... however, the mood of your response suggests you are offended....

but I can understand if you are..... I could see how you could take this in a way I didn't intend...... so because, I wasand still am sincere.... I will apologize if I offended you..... but, that's all... not apologizing for my question....

quote:

I consider me contributing something I know nothing about, to be equally arrogant as asking someone else not to participate in a discussion.

Really? Then you truly don't understand how some black people feel that issues dealing with us is like dealing with family....... I know... I know... unless you believe in the "human family" concept...... then I guess you have no problem with men interjecting their opinion in EVERY issue that women deal with...... or someone from outside your family commenting on EVERY issue that has to do with you personally as arrogant and the request for space some time equally arrogant....

interesting.....

But, I'm sure you'll find plenty of Black folks who don't see their issues as unique enough to warrant isolated conversation....

So in this my opinion won't hinder your need to comment...

trust me.....

quote:

If anyone finds my comment "that way it broadens 'our' reading and knowledge and points of view." as somehow arrogant or insulting, then I'm surprised... isn't that the whole point of AA.org... not to grandstand but to listen and learn... and contribute?

Yes, I would imagine so......

and I think its a good idea....

again....

but wasn't talking about here.....

just in general....

quote:

Does everyone's opinion of us ALWAYS count?[QUOTE]
That is a good question in itself, virtue... but I wouldn't put lose too much sleep about any perceived influence I might have - so pleae don't attribute it to me.

Hmmmmmm...... I'll side step the dis.... and just say..... don't worry.... I won't....

quote:

Yes virtue, we do have things in common,

fa sho

quote:

but do not speak for me,

wasn't trying to..... re-read my post and can't say that anything hints at this..... however, after reading your post.... I would ask the same of you.....

quote:

as I have never tried to speak for you.

Your whole response is just that

quote:

While I respect you, I don't care if you think I'm cool or not, so adding sugar to the first sentence is largely irrelevant and questionable.

Wasn't trying to sugar coat.... don't need to.... either you get it or you don't..... as for my positive comment about you being cool as irrelevant and questionable....

Don't worry...

It won't be repeated again....




Peace,
Virtue

Back on topic -

I've been part of several book clubs. Sometimes the discussion leader will generate a list of questions based on the book's content. Othertimes, discussions start with " How believable/credible/achievable is the story/information in the book?" Typically, someone serves as a boundary monitor to make sure tangential discussion eventually get routed back to the original topic.

The information is footnoted for each chapter - Do we explore those sources? Are we aiming to implement the plan laid out in the book?

I think a thread for each chapter would be a good organization. Volunteers to lead a chapter's discussion would be great - I'll throw my name in the hat (Haven't decided on a chapter yet!).

Looking forward to the discussion.

quote:

Originally posted by art_gurl:
Virtue,
I just don't know why you needed to mention my name at all in this post. What was the point? Why call me out?

I thought it was clear......

But.....

Again....

I had a thought about Black people discussing things in private after seeing your post.....

you are a white woman...... so this had nothing to do with your personality but your race.....which since I get the feeling you don't define yourself by primarily.... I did not feel this had anything to do with you personally.......

Therefore, because I've gotten into discussions where the posters tried to assume my intentions.... I wanted to make sure that while I was affected by a white woman speaking in a thread called the "Covenant for Black America", and it made me think in general about the phenomenon... my thoughts extended past who you are as a person....... I was posting right after you, and I also was inspired to speak by your post....... though my thought on you, your views, your right to comment, who you are as a person.... had nothing to do with it..... I wanted to make that clear.....

It was a relevant aside....

quote:

My purpose was to make a suggestion which people can accept or reject... I do it all the time before the thought or idea disappears. That's all.

Okay.... I will assume that this statement wasn't meant for me..... because I don't care one way or another..... make all the suggestions you want.... this is not my board....

quote:

"I'm not taking a pot shot.... but I am"
That's not personal?

See explanation above.....

If you still don't get it.....

Then you'll have to exist in confusion..... or conjecture....

quote:

Please understand one thing... if someone swings the door shut in my face, I tend to kick it back open again.

just be prepared for what's on the other side of the door......

quote:

I would truly appreciate if you drop what is becoming a habit of talking about me in your posts... rather than directly to me.

I address you directly........ in many posts..... this one, the thread in ? forum, the thread in poster professions...... I address you directly...... so, your assumption that I'm talking to you indirectly is delusional at best...... when I want to talk to you ...... I do..... and when I don't ...... I won't...... anything else..... is your imagination...... or a narcissism that thinks that things that I say are a reference to you.......

which is interesting.....

I've never said an unkind word to you.....

for the most part only compliments....

but as I stated in my last post......

that will cease.....

quote:

I will concede I should follow my own advice and keep emotion out of a response, and I was angry,

okay.... no need to concede.... I never made a request of you regarding your emotions..... and could care less whether you're angry or not..... I guess this is you working out your own angst......

quote:

but I was also being honest with you because I respect you.

Respect.... hmmm..... that is debatable.....

quote:

However, I also respect myself and I didn't feel you were being very honest with me.

now you're projecting on me again..... whaeva.... this is getting silly..... now you're accusing me of lying? about what?

quote:

Anyhoo, I hope we can agree to move on... our womanhood unites us,

Nope....

The only thing you and I have in common... I'm slowly realizing is we are both female.....

quote:

but our individuality makes each of us different and special.

of course, that's a given.... because that's what individuality encompasses..... difference.....

quote:

So on a lighter note... I think one thing we can both agree we do have in common... is a healthy ego!
And that's not a bad thing.

The one thing we have in common is gender......

and in this case...

it was a deceptive thing....


Virtue

This thread is about organizing the discussion of the book. Please keep all the off-topic bickering out of this thread. Unless one (or both) of you is volunteering to lead a discussion, your comments are .

Thanks for the courtesy in advance-

quote:

Originally posted by ddouble:
Thanks for the courtesy in advance-

quote:

Originally posted by ddouble:
This thread is about organizing the discussion of the book. Please keep all the off-topic bickering out of this thread. Unless one (or both) of you is volunteering to lead a discussion, your comments are .

Thanks for the courtesy in advance-

I hear ya. My original comments were on topic. If I get the book I may comment. It was always as simple as that.

quote:

Originally posted by art_gurl:
......Not a typical woman.....

.....So don't give me righteous BS. Coz it IS BS....!

....Your explanation????, no, I don't get it.....

Art_gurl....


Your tail is showing....

quote:

Let's move on....

let's see a start to the discussion

Indeed....

As simple as that....

For the love of God, would you two stop it?

Ladies, could we all just swallow our pride for a minute here to maintain the integrity of this thread? I think the topic of this particular forum warrants that.

quote:

Originally posted by Black Viking:
For the love of God, would you two stop it?

Ladies, could we all just swallow our pride for a minute here to maintain the integrity of this thread? I think the topic of this particular forum warrants that.

Ummm... okay....

True....

But.....

It's not pride for me...

it's respect....

more than willing to carry this somewhere else.....

also more than willing to call it a day....

no sweat...

Peace,
Virtue

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
Has anyone ever been in a book club and seen/experienced how these discussions go? Obviously, we could break the book into sections or even discuss things chapter by chapter, but if anyone has any insight about how to do this it might be helpful.

I feel very comfortable in leading things off although I also would be quite happy to defer this to someone else if they would like to lead this. I imagine the discussions will be quite robust and organic as we go - so I don't imagine its going to need much energy to guide.

Thoughts?

I'll be purchasing the book this week....

I like ddouble's suggestion of discussing the book section by section.....


Peace,
Virtue

yes, good morning to all, it's a new day - here anyway.

For the integrity of this thread.... maybe virtue and myself delete our posts entirely.

Gone.... and forgotten.

Any ETA on when we'll get started?

if it were me... I'd set the scope, scrap this thread entirely, and start again.

I got the book on order (not airmail though )... so let's go guys

I'm thinking that we should start the discussion pretty soon. I still get the sense that some are waiting for their books, but I think we should kick things off and let people join as they are able.

We'll break the book into various sections and create separate threads to discuss each. I'll lead the first discussion to start and we can gauge involvement etc. to monitor the pace of things.

I look forward to it!

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
I'm thinking that we should start the discussion pretty soon.

As in when? Today? Tomorrow?

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
I'm thinking that we should start the discussion pretty soon.

As in when? Today? Tomorrow?

Well, again, I'm trying to maximize participation knowing that some/many have not yet either gotten their books or been able to begin them. Over the next few days I'll put up some thought starters from the first "section" and open it up to participation as folks are able.

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
I'm thinking that we should start the discussion pretty soon.

As in when? Today? Tomorrow?

Well, again, I'm trying to maximize participation knowing that some/many have not yet either gotten their books or been able to begin them. Over the next few days I'll put up some thought starters from the first "section" and open it up to participation as folks are able.

I think I'm going to send a mass email to all AA.org members letting them know that we will be discussing the Covenant. That should generate a few more participants.

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

I think I'm going to send a mass email to all AA.org members letting them know that we will be discussing the Covenant. That should generate a few more participants.

Just sent it - check your in boxes!

I got it, and forwarded it to the people I thought would be interested.

I still don't have my book yet!

quote:

Originally posted by Black Viking:

I got it, and forwarded it to the people I thought would be interested.

Thank you BV!

I'm going to keep the various Covenant threads closed until time to begin discussions. This just shows how the book - and discussions - will be organized.

I am completely contradicting myself - but I decided to go ahead and open the discussion with the first covenant. I don't want people responding to the email and then not knowing when to return and potentially losing them from the discussion. I will post thought starters and teasers etc. as we go - but anyone who is interested in begining the discussion with remarks about Covenant I - please feel free to begin!

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:

I think I'm going to send a mass email to all AA.org members letting them know that we will be discussing the Covenant. That should generate a few more participants.

Just sent it - check your in boxes! [/QUOTE]

I'm not so sure that was a good idea.

What is your timetable for opening threads on chapters 2-10? Since the chapters do not have to be read in sequence to follow the book maybe we could discuss all simultaneously.

quote:

Originally posted by ddouble:

What is your timetable for opening threads on chapters 2-10? Since the chapters do not have to be read in sequence to follow the book maybe we could discuss all simultaneously.

I'm thinking that in an effort to stimulate the most focused and active discussion, we should go chapter by chapter. I'd hate for somewhat random posts to come in and site for weeks while people get to that point - although I'm open to anything.

What do you all think?

Hello people.....

I just purchased my book and I'm excited about the opportunity to discuss these lively topics with the forum.

Nisa

I'm thinking that perhaps everyone won't read every chapter in order and/or may have a particular interest in one subject over another and wish to discuss that chapter in particular.

So, maybe we should put it to a vote? Majority wins.

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:

I'm thinking that perhaps everyone won't read every chapter in order and/or may have a particular interest in one subject over another and wish to discuss that chapter in particular.

So, maybe we should put it to a vote? Majority wins.

Well - I guess it depends on whether we are going to try to have a "book discussion" or just randomly post about the book. I see a big difference.

If this is a discussion, then the point is for folks to read and comment - together - as we go along. That's why we've been waiting for as many people as possible to get their books to start this. I'm cool to do this any way folks like though.

Understood - Those of us who have finished the book are probably just a bit impatient for the discussion to begin in earnest.

quote:

Originally posted by ddouble:



Understood - Those of us who have finished the book are probably just a bit impatient for the discussion to begin in earnest.

Maybe this should be more of just a forum for the book as opposed to a discussion . . .

Should we open all of the chapter threads up and give up the idea of gaving a "book discussion"?

I can hold out for a couple more weeks. I may use the time to reread a few chapters.

All chapter threads now open for posting.

I have just received a copy and will began reading over the weekend....

I look forward to joining the discussion.....

Peace,
Virtue

My copy just arrived. My original order with Borders was canceled because their supplier was out of stock. Then, I ordered it from Amazon through AA.org and got it in five days. Go figure!

Anyway, give me a week to read it, and I'll be eyes deep in this mo' fo'.

I'd like to join the discussion too, so I purchased a copy today. And it'll take me about a week to read it, as well.

Remember folks - the discussion is broken up on a chapter by chapter basis, so you can jump right in without having read the entire book.

quote:

Originally posted by MBM:
Remember folks - the discussion is broken up on a chapter by chapter basis, so you can jump right in without having read the entire book.

This is good to know. Thanks.