The purpose of this book is to help readers understand how race and culture can impact communication. More specifically, Hopson explores the ways in which Black/African American communication works as part of a dynamic intercultural and interracial interaction.

A primary aim for Black/African Americans has been to navigate successfully through predominantly White/European American organisational, institutional, and societal structures. The author draws from critical accounts to highlight tensions and strategies for communicators and suggests that rhetorical devices illustrated in classic texts continue to inform intercultural and interracial communication today.