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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is the 'greatest barrier to black progress', according to Steele?
(a) Education.
(b) Self-hatred.
(c) Racism.
(d) Government.

2. Steele said that being which of the following 'in no way spares one from being human'?
(a) White.
(b) Racist.
(c) Black.
(d) Educated.

3. Steele said blacks are many times threatened by the repentance of whom?
(a) Their oppressors.
(b) Other blacks.
(c) Their alter-egos.
(d) Themselves.

4. Steele said the only way to solve racial problems is to focus on what?
(a) Ethical consciousness.
(b) Moral consciousness.
(c) Racial consciousness.
(d) Sexual consciousness.

5. Steele said that blacks do not know how to do what?
(a) Accept individuals from other races.
(b) Ignore the racial tensions of the past.
(c) Forgive the racial tensions of the past.
(d) Be free.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of barrier did Steele say is the most powerful barrier blocking black progress?

2. In what type of setting did Steele experience discrimination and therefore the feeling of inferiority?

3. According to Steele, what do blacks many times 'overrate their sense of'?

4. How did Steele say Bill Cosby deals with the feeling of powerlessness?

5. Many blacks have chosen to feel what way, according to Steele?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Steele, how does black nationalism ultimately affect blacks?

2. In line with Steele's experience, how are individualistic blacks received by those who have conformed to the 'black identity'?

3. How does Steele define the self-inflicted mindset of anti-self?

4. Steele articulated, when blacks feel powerless in white society, they deal with it in one of two ways, by challenging or bargaining. Describe what he means by this.

5. Steele quoted a former professor by saying, 'Ideas themselves come a dime a dozen.' Why is understanding this relevant to understanding this book?

6. Steele talks about forgetting that he is black while writing this book. What did he mean by that?

7. In order to explain issues specific to race, Steele said it was necessary for him to understand human universals. What was he talking about?

8. Why did Steele say he was accused of being inauthentic? How do many blacks say Steele views the priority of the black race? Have other blacks followed in Steele's footsteps? If so, how and why?

9. Why did Steele say race is a source of shame for blacks, but didn't say the same for whites?

10. As per Steele's philosophy, why do blacks many times avoid opportunities?

(see the answer keys)

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