"As a young journalist covering black life at large, author Ytasha L. Womack found herself straddling her culture's rarely acknowledged generation gaps and cultural divides. Traditional images show blacks unified culturally, politically, and socially, united by race at venues such as churches and community meetings. But in the "post black" era, individuals do not necessarily define themselves by tradition as much as by personal interests, points of view, and lifestyle. Although grateful to generations that have paved the way, many cannot relate to the rhetoric of pundits who speak as ambassadors of black life any more than they see themselves in exaggerated hip-hop images." "In Post Black: How a New Generation Is Redefining African American Identity, Womack takes a fresh look at the dynamics shaping the lives of contemporary African Americans. Combining interviews, opinions of experts, and extensive research, Post Black will open the eyes of some, validate the lives of others, and provide a realistic picture of the expanding community."--BOOK JACKET.

Introduction: identity theft -- The generation gap: the young Black professional -- The African diaspora: new immigrants in African America -- Bridges: biracial, bicultural identity -- Black, gay, lesbian, and proud: GLBT in Black America -- Spirituality: the new Black religious experience -- The hip-hop factor: Black art in a commercial landscape -- Black entrepreneurs: new urban impresarios and postracial shopkeepers -- Talented tenth revisited: capitalism versus social responsibility -- Neofeminism: womanist values in the age of the video girl -- The Obama factor: redefining possibility.