Book Review: David Walker's Appeal

"We must and shall be free I say, in spite of you." (pg. 89)

Stars: 5/5

Compelling; probably even more so to the readers of early 19th century. Imagine David Walker, born a free black man, wrote the first edition of his Appeal in 1829 blistering slavery protagonists as he states his case in four Articles:

Article I: Our Wretchedness In Consequence Of Slavery - Walker takes on Thomas Jefferson and his book Notes on the State of Virginia (Penguin Classics); refuting Jefferson's notion that blacks are inferior to whites. Walker also offers that the treatment of the Israelites under the Egyptian Pharaohs as being far better than the treatment of blacks under whites.

Article II: Our Wretchedness In Consequence Of Ignorance - Walker is concerned about how blacks remain oppressed due to ignorance and mis-education and how this strategy, championed by the slave master, has allowed slavery to endure. The thought of an educated black man strikes fear in the heart of the white slave master but it's only through education and enlightenment can one envision freedom and break the bonds of slavery.

Article III: Our Wretchedness In Consequence Of The Preachers Of The Religion Of Jesus Christ - Walker warns that enslavers will one day be called to judgment: "What right, then, has one of us to despise another, and to treat him cruel, on account of his colour, which none, but God who made can alter."

Article IV: Our Wretchedness In Consequence Of The Colonizing Plan - Walker derides Henry Clay's Colonizing Plan, a scheme to return free blacks to Africa to a supposedly greater freedom while keeping the enslaved blacks in America.

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Book Review: The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.

His fundamental commitment to unconditional love and unarmed truth

Stars: 4/5

This book is a small compilation of quotes from Dr. King's writings and speeches. It's never a bad idea to honor the civil rights leaders and martyrs by reading literature that would again remind us of their struggle.

Through his words we will be reminded of how far we have come:
"I can foresee the Negro vote becoming consistently the decisive vote in national elections." - chapter on Justice and Freedom

Through his words we will be reminded of how far we haven't come:
"...wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows." - chapter on Peace

In one sitting, you could read this book in its entirety. As benefactors of his sacrifice, we should spare a few moments of our time to reflect on Dr. King and his enduring legacy.

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Book Review: Say It Plain

Plainly Stated

Stars: 5/5

Say It Plain is a must-have addition to anyone's library of African-American literature. The speeches included in this book/audio CD allow the reader/listener to delve into the thoughts of some of the greatest African-American orators of the past century. To reflect upon what was said decades ago and quickly come to the realization that what was stated then can still be said today and still be relevant is simply amazing, if not unsettling. For example, more than a quarter of a century ago Rev. Joseph Lowery spoke on issues such as the rising rate of Black unemployment, the lack of Black leaders in American government and the ratio of the Black population in the United States (11%, at the time) to number of enlisted persons in the military who were black (33.3%, at the time).

Although Say It Plain misses the mark by excluding of one of the most powerful African-American orators, Malcom X, it is still nonetheless comprehensive. One should appreciate the diverse group of orators who are included; from Marcus Garvey and his Black Separatist views to Clarence Thomas and his politically conservative views. Moreover, listening to the accompanying audio CD, one will get a sense of the different oratory styles: Jesse Jackson's inspirational "I was born in the slum, but the slum was not born in me.", Dick Gregory's comedic "...the good old days was 10 B.C., 15 B.C. .........10, 15 years before Bull Connor.", and Johnetta B. Cole's charge to her African-American sisters to "Defend Thy Name".

Say It Plain is not just twenty-plus speeches that were transcribed, placed in chronological order, and sold as a book. Before each speech there is a brief introduction that provides the reader with some context: a historical perspective of the speaker, the events of the time, or simply when, where and why the speech was given. In many cases, this brief introduction is as significant as the speech itself.

All in all, I would suggest taking a refresher course in African-American history - with a twist - and read and listen to Say It Plain. Your mind and spirit will thank you for it.

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