Happy Black History Month! We can tell our stories all 12 months of the year, but this month is the month to emphasize them! There is such a heaviness regarding books, appropriate books, etc. that I want to display books that tell OUR story. One important element of stories is points of view. Our point of view has not been explored or printed until recent years. I would hate to think that with one swipe of pen, this wonderful exploration into Black history will be erased or demphasized. With that being said, SOUL Books will display as many books that celebrate African American stories.
Time to Celebrate!
These pieces of literature remind African Americans that our story did not begin when our ancestors arrived in the Americas in chains. This story reminds us that our ancestors were intelligent people who had their own culture, language, and civilization. We are reminded that we are defined by who we are and what we do- we are not limited to the trauma that has happened to us as a culture of people. We have to retell our story. If not, people may try to erase or rewrite what has happened in the past.
Book Completed
I have recently completed the novel When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. This book was a page-turner! I wanted to find out if Sydney Green was losing her mind! What happened to her mom? Was her neighbor, Theo, genuine or was he running game? Why are people leaving the neighborhood after staying for so many years, and not saying goodbye to their neighbors? The most important question I have...Could this happen in real life?
Gentrification is one of those topics that lead headlines for a New York minute, but then there is no more discussion. Has gentrification stopped? Is it happening so much now that it no longer is considered a relevant topic? The author not only reminds the reader of the dangers of gentrification but also shows how the African-American community will always look out for their neighbors.
February Read
For February, I am reading the New York Times Bestseller, The Love Songs of W. E.B. Du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers. This month, we can honor ourselves and our ancestors by reading books that discuss our origins, celebrate our accomplishments, and inspire us to live our best lives.
Keep reading and inspiring others to read relevant, meaningful, and timely literature. We should tell our stories and not have to worry about them being banned or erased from history. There is no United States of America without Black America!