A Welcome look at another aspect of life of African Americans in this time.
341364
I enjoyed viewing the life of middle class African America in Chicago. I grew up  as a middle class African American in the same time frame as the author but in New Orleans.  It is fascinating to see the similarities of values and hopes of our parents even with the contrast of a slightly different culture of the southern creole. Education, decorum , family and the desire to achieve more are values many groups share. The author has written a wonderful look at the time after the war and into the millennium.
72926
In a rap-like cadence, the author reviews the issues challenging the human race at this point in time.  He also pens some loving tributes to friends and family that show an in-depth understanding.  A fascinating read.
4328767
This is an interesting work, mainly of interest to students of African American theatre and African American religious history.
4278954
Dr. Staten takes us on a journey with her husband and herself, beginning with growing up in the south during segregation and the civil rights movement. As a young married couple, they were part of the "great migration" north in search of opportunity for better careers and lives. As a mature couple, they made the decision to return to a more progressive south. This story is full of hope, dreams, and achievements as well as disappointments and tragedy. This book can open the eyes of those too young to remember what segregation was like, and her narrative shows that it is too soon to congratulate ourselves for achieving racial parity. There are also plenty of funny anecdotes, so don't worry that the story is gloomy. Two pages of photos help to bring family members past and present to our eyes.
3229503
This book provides insight into how our ancestors do influence our present today. I appreciate Jeanette's honesty in all three of her memoirs.
This story was of particular interest describing the Scottish immigration into the early United States
and the various historical Presbyterian streams of worship... . The naming of places based on the first settlers living beside rivers in the
frontier was also informative. Insight into the role of African Americans in the frontier life was a little shallow and seemed to be reviewed through a current political perspective. Inclusion of letter content from relatives would add an interesting dimension if these are available.
Looking forward to more writing from Jeanette...
4228619
This book gave me a real feel for my south in the time just before the serious struggle for civil rights.  I knew but understand better now just how black citizens felt then and still feel now.  Most  of the descriptions of a southern town and its people are so engaging.  The pace of the book could have been improved somewhat.
1549175
There is some deep feelings in this story. The author touches on race, poverty, religion, and history among many other things. He seems to write from a place in time that is almost from the past but links up current events that lend credibility to what the messages say. It's an interesting read and it let me see from a perspective that is pretty foreign to me. It's a book that should be read just to gain some insight into the views from our history if nothing else.
1243447
As we are about to enter into a new era of our world in January, and since our election incidents in racism and violence have increased, this is a story to be remembered. In 1955 a young black boy named Emmett Till was killed for whistling at a white woman. We begin to understand the lay of the land at that time.

In Mississippi, we come to meet Rose, a young black girl, being raised by her grandparents. Her mother, married to a new man had left Rose and her brother to move to Chicago. This would break anyone's heart, and, of course, these two were devastated. They lived in a poor area, slaves really, picked  cotton for the landowner. Their grandmother, Pearl and grandfather, Poppa, were very strict. Rose especially worked hard, picked cotton, helping her grandmother and going to school. She has a cousin, Queen, who does nothing but eat, sleep, read magazines and listen to the radio. Life is not fair.

Rose is13 this year, her best friend Hallelujah is a Preacher's son. What they learn this hot summer in 1955, will change their lives forever. Several young black men have been killed for registering to vote, all covered up by the local sheriff. The NAACP has come to town, the white men upset and  have become a group who will do whatever is necessary to keep their black folk from become so uppity and easy to control. Pearl does not want trouble and is dead set against the NAACP. These are the times that try everyone's souls. The simmering tensions, Rose's aunt who comes to visit from St Louis and brings ideas of freedom, changes Rose. Times they are changing, and only the young, it seems are willing to move on.

A wonderful book for all middle schoolers. My grandson is reading the book now, and it is a good introduction for him to those years, so that he can understand the hatred towards others he may see, now.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 12-03-16
1023636
It's nice to see how a person of color that is seen as neither black nor white (yet is seen as black sometimes and white or lighter in others) and how he navigated those schoolyard/life circumstances.  I'm glad he kept his comedy trajectory on the back burner for a later book because it was so much more enlightening to see how the raising (single mom) and street hustle happened.  Like he says, what people need is the "fishing rod".  Without that, even when a man knows how to fish, then how?  He is quite insightful about being in the in-between.  Feeling like an in-betweener myself (Latin woman [at times the only one in class/school]) because I am consistently seen as so many races in so many places, it was comforting to see another person's experience and who is outside of the US.  I knew nothing about the inner workings and effects of apartheid for the people of color living under it.  A great read which I plan to re-read.  Also, his mother's advice? Golden.
1963768
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas and Shanesha R.F. Brooks-Tatum have compiled a significant volume on American Black experiences in the Obama era. The chapters are laced with an internal conflict between recent black success and continued black struggles. That is, with the election--and now reelection--of President Barack Obama, there is a perceived legitimization of black achievement, yet at the same time the contributing authors reject the notion of a post-race American society. Ultimately, this volume is approachable and engaging in its ability to recognize contemporary challenges for African Americans while remaining optimistic looking forward. The work offers a contemporary slant on how African Americans manage discrimination and make sense of their identity as it relates to African American leadership in this country.  The consequences of being African American are reconsidered in this work to prompt the reader for a deeper understanding of the struggles involved racial identity.  Though coupled with the realities of racism and marginalization, the message of hope is resounding in this work and is consistent with representation of Obama's leadership.
-- Excerpt from book review written by Pamela Felder and Liam George.
1377563
The author take us through a subculture in an unexpected place in an unexpected time to not some much as to highlight or review any one culture such as working class, gay and the like. It is a matter of fact fictional telling of individuals that just happen to be working class, gay and such. The characters are of interest not because of what they are but
who they are to each other and their setting.
1612519
I'm glad I read this novel and I enjoyed it. I learned so much about the perspective of what African Americans and immigrants and the challenges they face.  I would recommend this book.
1761813
I really enjoyed this book. The characters and story line are very relatable whether you are from the hood or the suburbs. You get a view of two different kinds of black families dealing with current issues which is important today. I would have liked to know a little more in the end, not sure I liked the ending, but it kept my interest and I would recommend it to others.
4177134
Clear and mostly to the point.  An inside look at a woman and her family during the later 20th century.  Some fine research behind it.  A remarkable family closeness that translated into caring for the community, as well as one another--and an unusual commitment to black civil rights by whites.
1295560
This book is a "jewel." The information contained within its pages helps one to see, and understand the beauty and complexities of life as a black person living in Portsmouth, Virginia.
3499118
Enjoyable read! It's a coming-of-age story about Roman, a young African-American male, as he journeys into manhood becoming a responsible albeit not perfect family man. This book gives a realistic glimpse into the diverse challenges and triumphs experienced by many African-American families during the 60s and 70s. The author, Robertson, breathes life into his characters giving them depth, not allowing them to be mere literary stereotypes. For me, it was uplifting reading a story depicting African-Americans being supportive of each other and having strong family bonds. If you're wanting to read about pimps, 'hoes, and the thug life, this book is not for you! Also, if you're like me, brought up in Southern California, you'll enjoy recognizing names of streets and neighborhoods. But if you're not, you'll definitely feel like you are there due to Robertson's descriptive talent. All in all, I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading stories about attaining the American dream.
4716894
Reading a novel set in the post-civil war south about blacks and whites learning to live together is a good thing. How many Caucasians stop to consider how terrible and difficult life was for slaves. Even after the abolition of slavery, it was a long hard road. Books like this provide that awareness and give whites an appreciation for the struggles faced by blacks even today.

This is the second book in the Carolina Cousins series. This new series doesn't suffer from being an offshoot of the popular Shenandoah series. Just like the novels of George MacDonald, a man who has served as a mentor to Phillips, character development is primary. The focus is on relationships and issues.

Phillips follows MacDonald's lead in emphasizing the fatherhood of God, our relationship to him as children, and obedience as the primary way to know and follow God. Though this might be considered light reading, it contains thoughtful spiritual content. Like MacDonald, Phillips provides keen insights into human nature and the nature of God.

He is not afraid to challenge traditional thinking. His views, which are slightly unorthodox at times, can be a little unsettling, but they are also thought-provoking. Some may find them refreshing.

Particularly interesting are the romantic relationships. Jeremiah starts to wonder if Mayme, the woman he planned to marry, is interested in his long lost friend Micah, who comes to live with them on the Rosewood Plantation. Jeremiah begins to wonder if he has more in common with Emma, an uneducated former slave, who has a son named William. Phillips effectively portrays the insecurities and uncertainties typical in romantic relationships. He keeps you guessing as to what will happen.

Blacks and whites living and working together in the post-Civil war south may seem far-fetched but the good writing and storytelling make it believable. That's not to say that this group doesn't experience hostility and danger from others. They do. The story starts with an act of evil and then backtracks to fill in the events leading up to it.

This is a pleasant read, and since it's been shown that whites and blacks have different perceptions on racism, books like this can be a bridge to a more realistic perspective and promote empathy.