Bonnie Allen, the first black female political/social humorist, dissects blacks and whites in her provocative, irreverent, outspoken, and highly anticipated book of original essays. We Are Overcome tries to make sense out of the last quarter-century in black American life.

We Are Overcome examines the actions and attitudes rearing up in America since that warm, fuzzy "civil rights movement" moment in history when blacks and whites marched arm-in-arm through the streets of our nation, blending their voices in a soul-wrenching medley of "Kumbaya" and "Go Down Moses," and seeking a better world with equal opportunities for all on a somewhat level playing field.

Unfortunately, white America didn't reveal that equal opportunities were only available on a first-come, first-served basis, and black Americans didn't anticipate that prisons would become synonymous for low-income housing for their children. Maybe that's one reason why we all can't get along.

1. Bonnie Allen doesn't have all the answers, but she is fearless about asking the tough questions and letting the blame fall where it may (even though she knows this means, in Washington, it will fall on deaf ears). Whatever your political persuasion, race, creed, or gender of origin, you can count on one thing: She's going to leave you with a new perspective on Truth, Justice, and the American Way.