45 Books That Changed My Life
I think it was Dr. Na’im Akbar who, in one of his books, makes distinction between being “informed” and being “aware” (or conscious). To be informed means at the very basic level that you’ve been exposed to a body of information. Not necessarily that you really grasp the meaning of what you’ve been exposed to - most times it just means you can regurgitate it upon request - or at least that’s one of the goals of the american public school system. To be aware or conscious means that you possess the tools and faculties to thoroughly engage information, examine its context, analyze the symbols therein, and apply the deeper truths to your existential reality.
I, like thousands of other Afrikans in this country, spent 16 years trying to regurgitate facts, stats, and figures in order to get pieces of paper that would prove that I am “smart.” During this 16 years (k-12, 4 years of undergrad), I was unknowingly conditioned to embrace the ideals of white supremacy and socialized to find my “proper place” as a cog in the wheel of the White Power Structure.
It was during seminary that my “eyes” finally began to open. I credit my professors for totally dismantling almost everything that I thought I knew about God. During the process of demolishing my theological foundation, they shook loose the psychological chains on my brain as it related to Afrikan inferiority. In my second year of seminary, I was undergoing a major transformation which was cultivated by the renewing of my mind. During that second year, I agreed to take a class in Ghana, West Africa on African Traditional Religions and that month-long learning experience tremendously accelerated my thinking as it related to my place in this world. We visited the slave castles in Elmina, I stood under a waterfall in the Volta Region, we studied the Akan culture, and we visited the last earthly home of W.E.B. DuBois - even enjoying a time of meditation next to his casket. I learned of my Ancestor -Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. I waded to the middle of the waters of Assin Manso - the last bathing place before enslaved Afrikans entered the slave castles and I stood in the Door of No Return…the doorway that led to the slave ships destined for the West.
It is difficult for me to articulate all that I felt and experienced back Home in Ghana, but suffice to say it was the place where I was Born Again. I left the U.S. as an African American, I returned to the states as a Afrikan in America. Since that experience in 2003, I have been on a Sankofa Mission - going back in history to study my Ancestors and Elders - their stories, their struggles, their lives, their sacrifices and coming forward to examine where I am in order to live a life which honors Almighty God and my Great Ancestors with hopes that I’ll one day join that Great Cloud of Witnesses.
The 45 books below, listed in random order, have been essential reading in my journey. This does not by any stretch of the imagination represent an exhaustive list of “must reads for Afrikans”. These books (and some DVDs) have simply helped me to find and keep my righteous mind. There are many many more that deserve prime placement on our shelves. Feel free to add books that have been impactful for you as well.
- Autobiography of Malcolm X
- Great and Mighty Walk (Documentary feat. Dr. John Henrik Clarke)
- The Mis-Education of the Negro (Woodson)
- The Souls of Black Folk (Dubois)
- SBA: The Reawakening of the African Mind (Hilliard)
- The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey (Garvey)
- Why We Can’t Wait (King)
- Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community? (King)
- Malcolm & Martin & America : Dream or a Nightmare (Cone)
- God of the Oppressed (Cone)
- The Bible
- Breaking The Chains of Psychological Slavery (Akbar)
- Know Thy Self (Akbar)
- Light from Ancient Africa (Akbar)
- The Community of Self-Revised (Akbar)
- Revolutionary Suicide (Newton)
- The Huey P. Newton Reader (Hilliard & Weise)
- United Independent Compensatory Code/System/Concept (Fuller, Jr.)
- The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors (Welsing)
- Yurugu: An Afrikan Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought & Behavior (Ani)
- Cultural Genocide in the Black and African Studies Curriculum (ben Jochannan)
- Black Power: The Politics of Liberation (Ture)
- David Walker’s Appeal (Walker)
- Kill Them Before They Grow (Porter)
- Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Friere)
- I Write What I Like (Biko)
- Soledad Brother (Jackson)
- Blood In My Eye (Jackson)
- The Black Panthers Speak (Foner)
- Assata: An Autobiography (Shakur)
- Malcolm X: The FBI File (Carson)
- The Cointelpro Papers (Churchill)
- They Came Before Columbus (Van Sertima)
- A People’s History of the United States (Zinn)
- Black Religion and Black Radicalism (Wilmore)
- Ella Baker and The Black Freedom Movement (Ransby)
- Should America Pay? Slavery and the raging debate on Reparations (Winbush)
- Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys (Kunjufu)
- Black Theology and Black Power (Cone)
- Citizen King (Documentary)
- When We Were Kings (Documentary)
- Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land (Documentary)
- Parting the Waters: America in the King Years (Branch)
- Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years (Branch)
- At Canaan’s Edge (Branch)
December 6th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Good list. Here’s a list from my own collection (excluding many of the ones you already listed):
A Member of the Club : Reflections on Life in a Racially Polarized World by Lawrence Otis Graham
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
Black Man’s Religion: Can Christianity Be Afrocentric? by Glenn Usry, Craig S. Keener
Everything but the Burden: What White People are taking from Black Culture by Greg Tate
Free at Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle
by Sara Bullard
Indians Are Us? Culture and Genocide in Native North America by Ward Churchill
Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (a tale of pre-colonial African culture)
And a few movies:
Sarafina - Whoopi Goldberg & Leleti Khumalo
Yesterday - Leleti Khumalo & Harriet Lenabe
If there are any of you in the Baltimore area; I’ll let you read mine if you let me read yours.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Thanks Heber, there are some books on here I need to read. Some of the books that have influenced my thinking are; The only land they knew-Leitch, No More Lies-Dick Gregory, The African Origins of Civilization-Cheik Anta Diop, African Origins of Biological Psychiatry-Dr. Richard King; Voices of Our Ancestors-Dyani Ywahoo; Secrets of Voodoo-Milo Riguad and A Book of Beginnings-Gerald Massey…Just to name a few.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Well, well… Malcolm. nice list… now I get it…hahaha. There are a number of great books that have influenced and have become the enzyme germ for my own thoughts, interpretive methodology and understanding. Here is a list of ones I continue to revisit for they seem to have a biblical quality about them, in that they give fresh engagement everytime I wrestle with the author. Of course… I do not always agree and by no means endorse all of these works… but they make for great wrestling. Many of them I have noticed are already listed by you or other respondents thus far so, here are a few I have not seen which make for great soul/intellectual engagement. Some are a complexed read (largely due to the writer’s abilities and not the ideas expressed or necessity for familiarity with the technical vocabulary.) and others are quite simple… if you come across any enjoy. I’d also love to here anyones reflections… since school, I haven’t had many opportunites like that. 1. Mein Kampf - Adolf Hitler
December 7th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Sorry ’bout that ya’ll I accidently hit submit without completing the list. I sure don’t want you thinking that’s all I read…. HAHAHA!
list continued….
2. The treasured writings of Kahlil Gibran.
3.Creative Disobedience - Dorothee Solle
4. I and Thou - Martin Buber
5. The Crucified God - Jurgen Moltmann
6. The Recovery of Black Presence - Bailey & Grant, ed.
7.Ideological Representation and Power in Social Relations - Gane, ed.
8. Life Together - Deitrich Bonhoeffer
9. The Aesthetics of Action - Hardin
10. I May Not Get There With You - M.E.Dyson
11.The Maafa & Beyond - Addae
12. Slavery and Freedom - Berdiaev
13. Reveille For Radicals - Saul Alinsky
14.Rules For Radicals - Alinsky
15. Great African Thinkers - Cheikh Anta Diop
16. The Politics of Jesus - Hendricks, Jr.
17. Roots for Radicals - Chambers
18. Bonheffer & King - J. Deotis Roberts
19. Intellectual Warfare - J. H. Carruthers
20. Black Heretics, Black Prophets - Bogues
21. Henry Highland Garnet’s Address - Ayer Co. Publ.
22. The Book of Micah - Old Test.
23. The Book of Hosea - Old Test.
24. The book of Amos - Old Test.
okay dude… there’s too many and too many authors I just enjoy also, and I’ve already used too much space… hey just interested in seeing and reading what others are engaged in. Shoot, perhaps I’ll take part in your next book review…hint, hint. lol.
Peace in His glory,
mcb
p.s. - stay on the wall!!!!
December 7th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Hello Heber,
Over the last months I have enjoyed reading and participating from time to time in your discussions. However, I must end that today. I respect your right to your OPINION and I would ask that you respect mine. As a preacher, I have been called to try to bring people together in God’s love and his word. That can be learned through the Spirit of God and not just through seminary, where your “awakening” apparently took place. Not everyone will hear and see what you see. But God wants us to approach his people as a whole. Before Jesus ascended he said “go into the world” and through His Spirit He expects us to share HIS love to everyone. That includes the white supremacist network, it includes republicans and democrats, it includes the nation Israel, it includes ALL. ALL means ALL. I see a systematic effort on your part to continue to divide the races. You sound more like a Muslim than a Christian. Jesus said, we shall be known by our love. Not just our love for our race but for every man. It is His will that NONE should perish. Brother, people from every race and creed are dying and going to hell. You said in a reply to me that blacks are not capable of being racist. I don’t believe that for a moment. And after reading your thoughts, I feel as if you have allowed MAN’s educated and bias philosophical views (whether white supremacy or even talk of black supremacy) to overtake the simple truths of God’s Word. My uncle just came back from Africa. He is a Christian. A leader in His church. He told me that the best thing he experienced in Africa was that there was NO white people there. He said he doesn’t want to go to a church where there is white people present. THAT IS RACIST and HE IS BLACK and I feel that much of what you are sharing is racist as well. I admit that it may not be intentional on your part. But this saddens me just like the evils that you are trying to fight. No one gave me the opportunity to choose to come here by way of a black father and a white mother. I had no say in it. Therefore, I cannot ignore the benefits of who I am in total. I will not live in a BLACK world because it is not so.
Today is my last post and I will be deleting this site from my favorites.
With all respect and love, I disagree strenuously.
Ray
December 7th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Ben - great list. I have heard of the “Everything But the Burden” book, but have not gotten a chance to read it yet. I need to pick that up. The Black Man’s religion book is a good one as well. Good luck on the “Book Co-Op” - (smile)
Ensayn - I must admit that I’ve not come across most of the books you listed except the Diop book. I’ll make space on the shelf for them soon. Or maybe I’ll add them to my “wish list”.
Martin! - my brother. Thanks for sharing your list. I’m so glad that there are other books on your list beside Mein Kampf…LOL. I was about to go into deep prayer. I’m kidding. I have to pick up most of the 24 books that you’ve listed. Online book review eh? Now THAT sounds like a plan. As you know, we don’t often get the opportunity to “wrestle” intellectually as much as we used to in seminary. I miss it greatly. Maybe we who visit this blog can all decide to read a book and then post our reflections on it here for everyone to enjoy. Can you imagine the types of e-discussions that would spring from something like that? Let me think on this some more. If we were to do it - is there a particular book that you feel would be a great introductory piece for our collective consideration?
Ray - Your comment saddens me. I place great value on your views on many issues and even if I disagree with you or anyone about something - I cherish the opportunity to speak where I am - and more importantly to listen where others are. I never intended this blog to be a place where everyone who visits agrees on everything that is posted. However, what I did envision was a place online where those who sometimes disagree can still remain in “virtual fellowship” with each other. For example, it says a lot to me that Ben J. would continue to visit and comment on this blog though we disagreed with each other pretty passionately on a previous post. What will we become as a society if we only engage those who think exactly like we do? In addition to taking calls on the radio and receiving feedback from newspaper articles and videos, this blog is a place for me to engage some of the most intelligent people online - some of whom don’t think like me. I urge you to reconsider your decision. You are a valuable participant in the Faith in Action conversation. However, if you choose to uphold your decision to leave this space forever, know that I will be praying for you and I ask that you keep me in prayer as well.
I’ve received a number of emails as well from others with additional books that they enjoy and I just checked my email and there is a request from one of my mentees. She wishes to borrow the books that I listed instead of saving up the $$ to buy each one. I have a thought oh anonymous mentee - how about hit the library to get the ones that you can from them and we’ll talk about making arrangements for the ones that they don’t have. If I could make a humble suggestion as to which book to start with - try the Autobiography of Malcolm X. It was my “gateway” book.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Wow, Ray… I realize that this commentary of your enlighted perspective (truly not being facisious… I really believe you mean well and are in touch with the spirit of truth) but I know it was not directed toward me but, I DO HAVE AN OBJECTION IN LOVE (AGAPE). I really am not simply trying to come to the defense of my brother Heber ( He is of age… ask him, he can speak for himself), but the issue I have is with the follow through of your faith(the interpretive datum by which we live, you know the whole faith=works thing). You pressume to disengage yourself from the very wrestling and community building process which the scriptures you quote speak of… How is it that if they will know us by our love, (for each other as believers by the way…read the Gospel of John) and the command is to “go”, that at the sign of disagreement you cast a stone (totally unfounded I believe) and leave the community? The funny thing about the scripture you quote, is that the context of Christ’s command pressumes that those to whom we will “go” do not know what we know, nor do many of them believe what we believe. When we comprehend this reality we do not disengage from them but we remain apart of the community as the light, the salt or any other biblical illustrative metaphor you wish to clasp to. This is the reason for our presence as witnesses. I cannot speak for Bro. Brown, but my perspective from his engagment in community, whether from our own personal relationship as believers of the Christian faith or by my witness of his demonstration of love in fighting the fight of faith and activism for all God’s people… what I have determined is that he has sought to place great emphasis on the most diffucult yet imperative prerequisite of love and that is the love of the “self” which appropriately prepares you to love others. It is the same in any tier of relationship without knowing and practicing love of self… one’s attempt to love others produces a dysfunctional love. perhaps this is why the greatest commandment likened unto the first is that you “love your neighbor as thyself!” If you are unaware of how to love you… you breed an improper and perhaps misdefined and destructive false love. Now, I too am seminary trained.. but these thoughts come to you in love as your presentation was given. It has nothing to do with any technical experience… but simply the longing to attain that which the prophet Micah suggests is required of believers. I would “strenuously” request that you reconsider leaving such a productive and faithful group. Perhaps your uncle has some issues… but in all of my readings of these transparent presentations from Heber… I cannot once recall him saying anything that would suggest he would agree with the thoughts of your uncle as it pertains to fellowship and practice of the Christian faith. (But again, ask him… he’s grown enough to speak for himself)
As I quickly seek to close my comments, let me remind you of the weight and burdensome joy of our faith as believers. It requires that we remain in relationship with those with whom we do not agree, but love. I don’t know your denomination, but most protestant denominations usually govern themselves within the ideals of a “church covenant”. many of the churches I’ve connected with hold many of the same tenants as apart of their covenants. I”ll gamble on this (opps you’re Christian… I meant cast lots…hahaha) but you may be familiar with some of the same covenants of which I speak. One of the lines in this four paragraph document states… (now don’t hold too tightly this comes from memory) “… and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.” Now… being apart of a denomination that recites this quite often, never have I been given the impression that this meant when you don’t see eye to eye it is permissible to leave, give up, harshly critique or anything of a nature that would be counterproductive to community. So I entreat you my beloved brother… to walk worthy of your vocation. and if it is so that you disagree, stay and wrestle that we all may become better… but for God’s sake (and I mean that) don’t cast stones and then leave. I ain’t always been a preacher and where I come from we call a person who does something like that… A Punk!
Hey… it’s all in love.
Grace & Peace
Martin-
December 7th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Hey.. Malcolm…
Don’t think I was sticking up for you like a little brother that can’t fight his own battles for himself, my real issue was this the contradictory tension between his actions and his profession.
and yeah I have some great book ideas to start with…
April 27th, 2008 at 2:32 am
There is a giant leap when authors of a particular group start writing as merely great authors as opposed to those who merely write about their backgrounds and concerns