The hip-hop culture on the south side of Chicago links these short stories that are otherwise very different from each other in subject and approach. Stark scenes of gang violence, drug use, and prison life are contrasted with light and humorous stories, and the grittiness of urban life is softened by the preoccupations of adolescence, the chance for romance, or the ordinary moments of family life.
Bryonn Bain
The Ugly Side of Beautiful
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Racially profiled and wrongfully imprisoned during his second year at Harvard Law School, hip-hop activist Bryonn Bain successfully sued the New York City Police Department and wrote the ""Village Voice ""cover story ""Walking While Black."" Now Bain has taken his own disturbing experiences of racial profiling and personal demoralization and turned them into teachable moments for an entire nation. ""The Ugly Side of Beautiful ""takes an unflinching look at the injustices of our prison system and strives to help us think outside the cage.
Kelly Norman Ellis
Tougaloo Blues
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This collection of poems explores the author's southern roots through a blues/narrative voice and revisits her Mississippi youth, while revealing the contemporary voice of a Black woman searching for place and community outside of her southern past.
Haki R. Madhubuti
Tough Notes
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From the author of the best-selling Black Men, Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?: The Afrikan American Family in Transition, Claiming Earth: Race, Rage, Redemption, and Heartlove: Wedding and Love Poems, comes this profound series of letters, notes, and written conversations to young boys and men. In this moving text, Haki R. Madhubuti, poet, publisher, editor, educator, and institution builder, hopes to guide young men in search of direction to make good choices and wise, informed decisions on the road to a healthy life. Madhubuti writes as a caring father and resourceful teacher, with the insight of one who has benefited from his elders.
Woodie King Jr.
New Plays for the Black Theater
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An anthology of short plays of some of the well known and highly respected African American playwrights. A glimpse into the early work of some very successful writers.
Lily Golden
My Long Journey Home (Paper)
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The daughter of Oliver Golden, an African American expatriate and agrarian activist of the early 1900's, and Bertha Bialek, youngest daughter of Polish American emigres of Jewish descent, Lily Golden has a special place in history. In this account of her experience, Golden provides a connection between the contemporary and historical relationships of America to Russia. Golden offers a distinctly different and refreshing point of view of the lives and experiences of Russia in her often alluring and romantic, sometimes bitterly painful, yet always vivid and intimate details of her life as a dark-skinned Russian surviving in and struggling against turbulent changes. She brings her tale of a sometimes charmed sometimes challenged existence full circle in her descriptions of her ultimate contact with distant relatives in the United States. Lily Golden allows the reader access into her lifelong revelation that family and community ties are boundless by time and geography.
Lily Golden
My Long Journey Home (Hardcover)
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The daughter of Oliver Golden, an African American expatriate and agrarian activist of the early 1900's, and Bertha Bialek, youngest daughter of Polish American emigres of Jewish descent, Lily Golden has a special place in history. In this account of her experience, Golden provides a connection between the contemporary and historical relationships of America to Russia. Golden offers a distinctly different and refreshing point of view of the lives and experiences of Russia in her often alluring and romantic, sometimes bitterly painful, yet always vivid and intimate details of her life as a dark-skinned Russian surviving in and struggling against turbulent changes. She brings her tale of a sometimes charmed sometimes challenged existence full circle in her descriptions of her ultimate contact with distant relatives in the United States. Lily Golden allows the reader access into her lifelong revelation that family and community ties are boundless by time and geography.
T. M. Stringfellow
More Than Dancing
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Challenging modern America's perspective on love, history, and race relations, these poems deviate from such techniques as free verse and abstraction to concentrate on structured forms such as odes and Italian sonnets. The unifying idea of the book also comes from the classics: the poet views black artists as Prometheus figures, giving fire and inspiration to American culture even when they are barely acknowledged. The poetry's message, however, is gritty and emotional--and sometimes deliberately sentimental--as it pits the joys of love, romance, and racial pride against the sorrows of slavery and segregation.
Brenda M. Greene
Meditations and Ascensions
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Representing conversations from the Eighth National Black Writers Conference in 2006, this collection provides in-depth meditations and analyses of literature by black writers. Reflections on the black experience, the American experience, and a more global experience and worldview are all widely discussed, as well as future trends and ascensions for black literature. Students, teachers, journalists, and other writers will welcome the chance to view parts of the writing process and see inside the heads of prominent black writers. Participants include Marita Golden, Walter Mosley, Ishmael Reed, Herb Boyd, Valerie Boyd, Haki R. Madhubuti, Elizabeth Nunez, Tananarive Due, Valerie Wilson Wesley, Camille Yarbrough, Susan McHenry, and many others.
Lasana D. Kazembe
Keeping Peace
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"A Poet, Preacher, And Philosopher sit down to talk after greeting each other with warm laughter and the easy telling of quick stories from the last time they'd been together. There is genuine joy in the tones that emerge in their speech as the relax in the presence of each other's work and legacy. The commonality and differences in the paths they've walked and the ideas they've promulgated adds a respectful tension necessary for high-level exchange and learning. Knowledge of history suggest smiles are imminent from knowing that they are again in the company of those who have not only charged into uncounted battles for human rights and justice, it is their life commitment and practice. Their ideas and work have expanded in understand and delivery. They have been criticized and often misunderstood and yet, they stood, and are still standing, in the growing storm we face today."--Publisher's website
Gwendolyn Brooks
In Montgomery
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Composed of three sections, this collection features the final poems of the late poet laureate of Illinois. The first section, ""In Montgomery,"" is a verbal description of a visit made by the poet and a highly talented photographer for Ebony Magazine, Moneeta Sleet. This is followed by a section of poetic character sketches. The final section is based upon a well known building located in the Black ghetto of Chicago's south side.
Edmund W. Gordon
Human Variance and Assessment For Learning
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This essay collection concerns the myriad implications of human diversity as they intersect with teaching, learning, and assessment for education. Seven of the essays were initially written for and published by the Gordon Commission on the Future of Assessment for Education.
Gwendolyn A. Mitchell
House of Women
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Creating a storyteller's circle where women share their joy, pain, and experience, the poems in this collection are lyrical vignettes, in which women sing familiar songs of love, solidarity, and sisterhood.
Donald G. Evans
Wherever I'm At: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry
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The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame has partnered with Chicago publishers After Hours Press and Third World Press to produce a definitive collection of poetry by living Chicago poets. Wherever I’m At: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry features the work of a widely diverse list of over 160 poets and artists all with strong ties to Chicagoland. With a Foreword by noted scholar Carlo Rotello, the new anthology is edited by Donald G. Evans (executive director of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame) who completed the project begun by the late poet-editor-teacher Robin Metz formerly of Knox College.
Haki R. Madhubuti
Heartlove
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These essential meditations on commitment will bring pleasure and reassurance while confirming one's belief in the power of love.
Useni Eugene Perkins
Harvesting New Generations
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A comprehensive exposition on Black youth, this study provides a careful analysis of their problems--personal, societal and institutional--as well as potential solutions for the future.
Herb Boyd
Harlem Renaissance Redux
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There has been a surfeit of books on the storied Harlem Renaissance, but Herb Boyd has given this historical era a fresh reprise. While the usual decade or more of turn of events and characters are present, Boyd's connects the period with other cultural and political developments. He shows how the Harlem Renaissance is ineluctably bound with the Garvey movement, particularly with a coterie of writers who shared their genius with Garvey's Negro World publication along with their contributions in such breakthrough books and political organs as Alain Locke's The New Negro, the Crisis, The Messenger, and Opportunity magazine.
Jacqueline Imani Bryant
Gwendolyn Brooks' Maud Martha
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Ten literary experts on the work of Gwendolyn Brooks unite in this collection to provide in-depth analysis on ""Maud Martha."" Through various essays, this volume explores socio-economic implications, the portrayal of the Black family and the Black woman, the contemporary culture in Chicago's Bronzeville, and the literary skills of Brooks.
Randall Horton
Fingernails Across the Chalkboard
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Featuring a wide assortment of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, this powerful volume confronts the existence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the Black Diaspora. Defining a cultural dialogue that will be prevalent well into the 21st century, these writings celebrate life and the living by humanizing the effects of HIV and giving powerful voices to the affected and afflicted. The writings, presented in four major sections, speak out about the hard-hitting truths that surround HIV; the forms of abuse, such as incest and rape, which cast HIV into the lives of girls and women; the issues of grief and loss; and the range of reactions, from acceptance to denial, activism, and the search for justice. The writers featured include Dennis Brutus, Tony Medina, Randi Triant, Truth Thomas, Duriel Harris, Frank X. Walker, Arisa White, Tara Betts, and Lamont B. Steptoe.
Diane D. Turner
Feeding the Soul
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An Africa-centered framework unifies these essays about misconceptions in standard accounts of the evolution of black music. Topics are cross-disciplinary and include Africa and the African diaspora, American black popular music, black consciousness and art, black message music, and the future of rap. Also included are poems by Nicole Sealey and Sandra Turner-Barnes; personal narratives by gospel music scholar James E. Adams and blues musician Byard Lancaster; and interviews with Katherine DeChavis, Kenny Gamble, Wynton Marsalis, Trudy Pitts, Shirley Scott, Ira Tucker, and McCoy Tyner. Rare archival photographs of musical pioneers complete this collection that leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich traditions of black music.
Gwendolyn Brooks
Family Pictures
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Family Pictures is a collection of poems dedicated to her friends and fighting against global anti=blackness
Useni Eugene Perkins
Explosion of Chicago's Black Street Gangs-1900 to Present
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This book is the bible on the social pathology of street gangs in Chicago. It should be read by all professionals working with young adults, especially those involved in law enforcement.
Geneva Smitherman
Educating African American Males
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Educating African American Males: Detroit's Malcolm X Academy Solution shows an African-centered educational program in action, documenting its success stories and new challenges. It is must reading for teachers, parents, and all those concerned about the future of our children and our community. For years, Detroit's Malcolm X Academy has been on the frontline of the struggle to reclaim our youth and our community. Their philosophy, curriculum, and pedagogy are African-based and proven effective.
Linda M. Thurston
Call to Action
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From the blue ribbon group of the American Friends Service Committee's 1990 National Commission on Crime and Justice, this report addresses the problems associated with incarceration.
Sterling Plumpp
Black Rituals
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Sterling Plumpp contrasts the rituals of Africa with African American rituals that have emerged in the twentieth century.
Ishmael Reed
Black Hollywood Unchained
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In Black Hollywood Unchained, Ishmael Reed gathers an impressive group of scholars, critics, intellectuals, and artist to examine and respond to the contemporary portrayals of Blacks in films. Using the 2012 release of the film Django Unchained as the focal point of much of the discussion, these essays and reviews provide a critical perspective on the challenges facing filmmakers and actors when confronted with issues on race and the historical portrayal of African American characters. Reed also addresses the black community's perceptiveness as discerning and responsible consumers of film, theatre, art, and music. Contributors to this collection are: Jill Nelson, Amiri Baraka, Cecil Brown, Halifu Osumare, Houston A. Baker Jr., Tony Medina, Herb Boyd, Jerry W. Ward Jr., Ruth Elizabeth Burks, Art Burton, Justin Desmangles, J. Douglas Allen-Taylor, Jack Foley, Joyce A. Joyce, C. Leigh McInnis, Heather Russell, Hariette Surovell, Kathryn Takara, and Al Young.
Sandra Turner-Barnes
Beyond the Back of the Bus
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One of the most important moments in African American history comes alive in this account of Rosa Parks' legendary stand against racial segregation in 1955. Presented with eye-catching illustrations and written in enjoyable, metered rhyme, the st
