book review things
-
he talk like a white boy by Joseph C. Phillips
Joseph C. Phillips wrote an article in 1991 or so in Essence magazine (back when it was readable – sorta) about the death of his mother. She had committed suicide when he was young and undoubtedly had left a scar on his life. The piece really touched me because of the vivid detail with which Read more
-
Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper.
I have a sort of vested interest in Letters to a Young Brother because Al is turning 10 this month and I’m always on the lookout for good books that can offer advice or insight or both into growing up. Hill Harper is a Harvard Law graduate, as well as a Hollywood actor, so I Read more
-
New York Burning by Jill Lepore
Othello’s loved ones’ options were limited where his funeral was concerned. In West Africa, night funerals are common. He couldn’t be buried at night. The Common Council had ruled that because funerals present the opportunity for uprisings to be planned, slaves had to be buried during daylight. Pallbearers were not allowed to carry his coffin. Read more
-
Ida B. Wells
Last year I did one or two biographies for Black History Month. I don’t think I’m going to do that for the most part this year, but since I neglected to publish my biography for my favorite historical African American figure, I figured why not start things off right? When I first learned about Ida Read more
TJs Things 