Book Review – “CP Time”

Caption: “CP Time” by J.L. King, c.2007, Strebor Books International, 144 pages.By Terri Schlichenmeyer Hey, got a minute? That’s okay. If you’re running behind, you can come back. Wouldn’t want to make you late, would we? But if you’ve got a spare sec, here’s a book you might want to look for: “CP Time” by J.L. King. It may make you a little more aware of the watch on your wrist. Or, in the case of some people, the wristwatch in the drawer back home. The one they never wear because they’re always late and they forget to grab it. So you say you’ve never heard of CP Time? Maybe you haven’t, but you’ve probably experienced it. It’s that phenomenon supposedly inherent in African Americans, the trait that makes them late. It’s the personality quirk that supposedly causes them to ignore schedules. I say “supposedly” because a lot of African Americans who are accused of being on CP Time are never late. Instead, they become victims of it themselves. J.L. King says he’s on both sides of the fence. Yes, he admits, he’s been late a time or two but he also knows how irritating it is to wait around for someone who lives by CP Time. But is CP Time a cultural habit or just an excuse to be tardy? Maybe it’s a little of both. Through interviews with friends, family, and people chosen at random, you’ll read stories from CP Time victims who marked time until they felt like screaming, and from folks who’ve been purposely late because they want to “make an appearance” or they lost track of time, because it’s the way they always did things, or because they knew everybody else was going to be late, too. CP Time, according to the interviews, has caused people to lose jobs and careers. It’s been the root of busted birthdays, fractured friendships, and broken hearts. Weddings, social events, family dinners, and even funerals have been postponed because of CP Time. So what can be done about it? Well, as King’s daughter, Ebony, says, maybe some of us need to relax a little. Some of us, though, just need to plan better… and wear a watch for once. As both a victim and a practitioner of CP Time, I was intrigued by this book. “CP Time” is fun and quick to read, and the stories will make you feel that you’re not the only one to be caught up in what’s become a joke to some and a serious matter to others. Author J.L. King proves that CP Time is not just a myth, but a real cultural habit that crosses racial and national lines. My only complaint was that this book was filled with grammatical errors and sorely lacked a proofreader. On the other hand, maybe it had a proofreader. Maybe he or she was just running late. If it’s time for you to avoid tardiness, watch for “CP Time” at your local bookstore. Whether you’re always waiting or you’re always a little behind, it will never be too late to read this book.