Light Ahead for the Negro

I went back in forth in deliberation over how to rate this novel. The story is fascinating in the political and socioeconomic issues it discusses and theorizes, for a quick example that comes to mind: Johnson seems to think that 3 year post high-school equitably funded government boarding schools (essentially, colleges) would be a wonderful investment of the government's money rather than prison systems and he supposes that they'll make a far greater positive impact. However Johnsons characters are all one dimensional, seemingly there to state and introduce his beliefs instead of follow or advance any sort of plot. The books pacing veers wildly back and forth from long dialogues, essays, and small bits of narrative. It's fascinating but not good. He also tacked on a random odd romance with his only female character and has appeared to have forgotten women in general in his book and the designs it exhorts for the advancement of the ‘negro problem' and the future of the US government.
If I could, I think I would rate this book three and a half stars. It's by no means good by modern standards however he posits fascinating political theories and makes excellent points on partisanship and politicians.