February 2

February is Black History month. Our new books look at a variety of cultural issues, some current and some historical, in honor of this area of American History.

the best kept secret; single black fathers, by Roberta L. Coles (306.87422 C679): Media attention often focuses on single mothers and the decline of marriage in the black community. Single fathers have a different parenting experience. Here some discuss their reasons for taking custody of their children and the roles they enact as parents. Coles recommends policy changes to improve the situations for children of single parents, both male and female. Coles is associate professor of sociology at Marquette University.

Message to the Blackman in America, by Elijah Muhammad (297.87 M892): This is a new reprint of the 1965 edition, published by Secretarius Memps Ministries. It is the famous call by Elijah Muhammad to “The So-called American Negro” to return to their original religion, Islam. It was controversial in the 60’s when it appeared, and it remains so today. Yet it is a part of our history and of the history of African Americans in particular. A dense and complicated read, it is the call of the Nation of Islam to black people in America. Muhammad was the most powerful black man in America at his time and his message is one that should be considered seriously, whether one agrees with it or not.

Harlem Speaks: A living history of the Harlem Renaissance, edited by Cary D. Wintz (810.9896073 H226w): In the early decades of the twentieth century, Harlem became a mecca for black culture, where the ideas and works of African Americans could be recognized by people of all colors. Chapters discuss music, art, performance, writing, and politics. The book includes an integrated CD that brings many of these to light. Wintz is Professor of History at Texas Southern University. He has written other books on black culture and Harlem.

Shades of Glory: the Negro leagues and the story of African-American baseball, by Lawrence D. Hogan (796.357 H678s): This is a chronicle of the Negro baseball leagues and the many players who gained fame playing for the legendary teams before the historic 1947 signing of Jackie Robinson to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers. That event was a milestone in race relations, but it ended the sports culture of the Negro leagues. Hogan is senior professor of history at Union County College in New Jersey. He is an expert on the history of black baseball.

From Midnight to Dawn: The last tracks of the underground railroad, by Jacqueline L. Tobin, with Hettie Jones (973.7115 T554f): The Underground Railroad was the passage to freedom for many slaves, taking them across the Detroit River to Canada, where British law protected them. Midnight is the code name for Detroit, and Dawn is the name of one of the black Canadian settlements. Many men and women travelled the railroad, through the dangers from the journey and the people around them. Many stories of their lives, and those of the dedicated conductors, are revealed here. Tobin is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver. Jones teaches writing at the New School and the 92nd St. Y Poetry Center in New York.

The information is provided by the authors and publishers of the works listed and compiled by Karen Chobot, Library Director.