Nathan McCall Message Board
Beverly posts on 1/16/2008 9:57:46 AM
Mr. Reed, you still do not get the point.
Audrey Figueroa posts on 1/10/2008 9:19:54 AM
I just finished reading Nathan McCalls latest book Them, and I was actually disappointed with the books ending. Without trying to give much away, I was really hoping that not only would the protagonist find a greater peace in personal life and also with his neighbor. Mr. McCall if you read these message boards, I'd love for you to explain why you chose this ending.
Jonelle Jones posts on 12/10/2007 11:04:53 PM
I am a 30 year old black woman. I just finished your book in one week. I could not put it down. I too have experienced racism, but not to the extreme as much as others. I deal with the whites on a basis when they assume things about me. They assume I have multiple children when I have none,they assume I am ten years younger than what I am, they assume that I have a dead end job when I actually have a promising career, they assume that I am not able mingle among the elite when I have held many various postions and earned the right to sit next to the best or better yet, be the best. I laugh, I smile and prove them wrong. In life, I have learned that the best revenge is success. That is now how I live my life. I happen to be competitve equestrian for sport. I smile at the fact when I think back to when I would enter the ring to do what I do best. To see the looks on their faces when I would clear the course with a smile and heart. That heart that that "some" of them saw in me made happy. The "threat" that I saw in others made me chuckle. I would think to nyself, "black people do more than run track". Times have certanily gotten nowadays. I too am a native of Portsmouth. I moved to DC for awhile, but moved back home. I never forgot where I came from. In our own way, we are all survivors. I am a survivor of cancer, a abusive marriage and other trials of life. Through all of that, I have seemed to balance my life with successes in which I never beyond my wildest dreams would have imagined. I plan on finishing my degree in Social Science. I would like to finish off where my grandfather, Johnny Day left off, and do my hometown some good. I hope to hear from you soon. Good Bless.
melinda f posts on 12/2/2007 11:07:29 AM
i'm thinking bout being a writer myself but i dunno where to start. could u give me some advice on what i need to do. it would help me a lot. i'm always looking forward on reading ur next books.
Brad Reed posts on 11/21/2007 6:11:52 PM
I am a white male a yr older than McCall. I can relate to the times: Marvin Gaye, Superfly, the politics etc. I would call the book "What's Going On?" (Another M. Gaye tune). As a retired DEA agent I am very familiar with the "streets", however, I was still appalled at McCall's unprovoked violence (beating the white boy for no reason other than the boy being white), running "trains" on young black girls, asaulting, stealing, shooting a man in the chest & getting only 30 days. McCall had a loving mother, grandmother & step-father. They constantly got him out jams (jail), paid his legal fees etc. How did he repay them? What selfishness. McCall an "illegitimate faher" at least five times. I only hope that he has matured, controlled his anger, and abandoned his racism. An unreasonable hatred of white folk. The man's no hero. He did tell the truth but it's an ugly truth. Does he not understand (after living that life) why some white folks have legitimate fears as related to the black man? Look what he and his buddies (fellow hoods) did to their own people: Raping sisters, assaulting brothers, dealing poison (dope) to their own people. SAD. BRR
melinda f posts on 11/20/2007 10:56:08 AM
to mr.mccall,
i bought your book make me wanna holler a couple of years ago when you were a guest speaker at my school(bunker hill cc). ever since high school all i enjoyed was writing. it's one of the ways that i express myself. as i read your book it made me realize that in today's society and society back then hasn't changed alot. i know when you were a young man that you didn't have it easy. sometimes i feel the same way only differently. you're one of my inspiration to keep pursuing my writing. i want everyone to listen to what i have to say. maybe people would understand where i come from. thank you and god bless.
LadyC posts on 11/1/2007 3:47:19 PM
I read the book "Makes Me Wanna Holler" and it left me wondering did Mr McCall ever apologize to ladies that he mistreated. Did he ever stop and think about the damage that he and his gang banging thug buddies inflicted on those young girls. They are probably messed up for life or in therapy for life. I feel sorry for someone who feels everyone else is to blame for their mistakes. Mr McCall made mistakes and worse he followed through on very bad decisions, even though he knew they were bad. I wonder does he ever think of how humiliating, demoralizing, and terrifying the acts were to those young girls who didn't stand a chance against the brutal and emotionally abusive thugs. I wonder did he ever think that the sexual predators in prison were viewed by him just as he and his buddies were viewed by the girls they raped. The only difference is the girls didn't have their gang to back them or strength to fight back. The book is brilliantly written and intense, but the fact remains that you Mr McCall alone are to blame for your problems and negative situations. Life throws everyone a curve ball, but it is how we deal with the circumstances that determine our character and morals. You need to own up to your faults and stop blaming others for your early misdeeds in life.
Christina posts on 10/26/2007 11:06:59 PM
Needless to say I am very excited about Mr. McCalls, new book. I have been waiting for some time. I read his two other books back in the 90's; What's Going On and Make Me Wanna Holler. When I say I could not put them down is an understatement. He is without an doubt one of the best writers of this century that gives it to you raw. Try to get the new book from Boarders which is currently a "special order" item I am hoping that it arrives soon.I have never had the opportunity to hear him lecture, but would be delighted at the opportunity, I live in Philadelphia. If anyones knows if he is going to be doing a book tour in this area pleae advise.
Virginia White posts on 9/19/2007 5:14:59 PM
Mr. Nathan McCall,I just finished reading Makes me Want to Holler for a college class Social Problems.This reading is to be finished by Nov.17,I could not put the book down it was so interesting.I now look forward to reading Whats going On I'm sure I will not be disappointed.I do not have the knowledge to explain why this goes on.We can be so blind, and go along with what sociaty dictates I was married in the 60's the civil rights movement overturned segregation laws, and renewed hope for equality.As much as some things have changed, others have stayed the same.So the struggle today continues for people of color.
Best to you Virginia
Gloria .F posts on 8/7/2007 7:46:17 PM
Mr. McCall
My name is Gloria Felix and I'm 14 years old from Queens,New York Im currently staying in Prince Goerge County, MD and I read your book ''Makes Me Wanna Holler'' and it was the best reading experience. It was amaizing how as time passed in the story and as you learned the words in the book were gatting more and more difficult I mean I had the book in one hand and the dictionary in the other. what i really love was how honest you were about that period in your life.I also wanted to let you know that i was also trained by a group of guys in Queens and it is like you that helped me forgive and forget
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