The epilogue of Madison Avenue and the Color Line by Jason Chambers seeks to wrap things up, yet indicates the story is far from over. The section sprints through the 1980s and 1990s, and reintroduces present day players like the New York City Commission on Human Rights. It’s probable that Chambers will ultimately gather enough material for a sequel.
Also worth mentioning are the 30+ pages of notes. As stated in previous posts, the author did his homework. Chambers’ thoroughness and ability to connect the events to a bigger picture ranks him alongside advertising writers including Randall Rothenberg and Warren Berger. The book really is an unprecedented collection of information.
On Tuesday, Madison Avenue executives gathered for a hearing in New York, with industry honchos offering testimony on the state of diversity. Commissioner Patricia Gatling said she was “cautiously optimistic” over the possibilities for change. Let’s hope everyone involved has picked up a copy of Madison Avenue and the Color Line. Reading it could significantly accelerate the progress.
This is the final installment of MultiCultClassics’ running review of Madison Avenue and the Color Line by Jason Chambers. See the previous posts here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
This 12-part review is one of the most thorough I've ever seen. I only hope my book can in some small way contribute to succesfully address the issue of racial diversity in the industry--a struggle nearly 90 years old.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, a sequal will be on the way soon.