Blog Archives
The Truth About Us: How America Invented Black Stereotypes
The Truth About Us lays out a clear, forceful account of how America built and sustained racist stereotypes over centuries. The book traces these lies from their earliest invention, through law, science, religion, media, economics, and public policy, and shows how they still shape modern life. It moves chapter by chapter, dismantling myths about Black laziness, violence, intellectual inferiority, family structure, and more while grounding each point in historical evidence and data. At its heart, the book argues that the stereotypes themselves, not Black people, are the real inventions, the real systems, and the real national problem.
The writing is sharp and steady, and it pulls you in quickly. The author does not hide behind jargon or distance. Instead, he speaks plainly about how propaganda became policy and how those policies still mark the country today. I appreciated the way he blended history with modern examples. He shows old lies living inside new systems, and the connections hit hard. The weight of what he described, especially the deliberate crafting of myths in science and religion, stirred something heavy in me. Yet I kept turning pages because the argument is so well built and the evidence so clear.
I also found myself moved by the emotional current that runs under the facts. The book insists that the story of Black people is far bigger than oppression, and that truth adds warmth and hope to the harder chapters. When the author talks about Black excellence as a pattern, not an exception, I felt inspired. He writes with a kind of grounded pride, and I could feel that pride rising through the pages. Even in the sections about media stereotypes or mass incarceration, I sensed a push toward something better. The writing made me feel frustrated at what has been done, but also energized by what could be repaired if people were willing to face the truth.
I think this book is powerful because it does not stop at exposing lies. It points to what must replace them. Towards the end, it reads almost like a call to rebuild the country with honesty, imagination, and real courage. I would recommend The Truth About Us to readers who want a clear understanding of how racial myths were constructed and how deeply they shaped America. It is especially good for people who think they already know this history, because it pushes past the usual surface summaries and asks you to look at the machinery underneath.
Pages: 228 | ASIN : B0G2SLZF4S
Extraordinary Life and Legacy
South Carolina’s Matilda Evans is a sweeping tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Arabella Evans, the first African American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. What inspired you to tell Dr. Evan’s story?
I found inspiration to share Dr. Evans’ story upon realizing our ancestral connection through my maternal lineage. It turns out that Dr. Evans’ grandfather, Harry Corley, was the half-brother of my ancestor, Lavinia Corley Thompson. Additionally, I learned that Dr. Evans’ mother, Harriet Corley Evans, played a pivotal role as one of the founders of my maternal family church, Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church, located near Springfield, South Carolina. These familial ties, combined with Dr. Evans’ remarkable achievement as South Carolina’s first African American woman licensed to practice medicine, ignited my curiosity to delve deeper into her life. Most notably, the absence of an official record of Dr. Evans’ story motivated me to conduct further research and study her extraordinary journey.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
Dr. Evans impressed me with her well-rounded and innovative approach to medicine. She utilized animal bones in surgical procedures, developed a mineral spring water product called Villanova for patients with kidney issues, and established a free clinic to serve underserved communities during the Great Depression in 1930. Her clinic garnered support from prominent African American figures, including Dr. George Washington Carver and Cab Calloway, who contributed to fundraising efforts. Additionally, Dr. Evans demonstrated her compassion by caring for a child abandoned on her doorstep.
How did you decide what aspects of her life to include or leave out when telling her story, and what are the key takeaways you want readers to remember about Dr. Evans?
We aimed to showcase events and experiences that reflect the diverse life of Dr. Matilda Evans, encompassing her medical career, civic engagement, and entrepreneurial ventures. Our research drew from both primary and secondary sources, including Dr. Evans’ own insights found in her book, Martha Schofield, Pioneer Negro Educator. This biography highlights the significant contributions of her mentor, Martha Schofield, an influential African American educator who profoundly impacted the post-Civil War South. Through the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Evans, we hope to inspire readers to explore and appreciate the vital contributions of African Americans in South Carolina and across the nation.
What is the next book that you are writing, and when will that be published?
We are considering plans for a future sequel to the book and exploring additional projects focused on preserving and promoting the legacy of Dr. Evans.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Arcadia Publishing | Amazon
Matilda Arabella Evans was born four years after the abolition of slavery and raised on a family farm in eastern Aiken County. She was the first African American woman in South Carolina to obtain a medical license and fervently championed better healthcare for African Americans, with a particular focus on children. Her early life experiences, academic accomplishments, strong religious beliefs and innovative medical approaches made her a crucial figure in enhancing healthcare accessibility for families in South Carolina, especially during the difficult era of racial segregation, when she also served as a civic advocate to uplift her local community. Authors Dr. Walter B. Curry, Beverly Aiken Muhammad and Anusha Ghosh reveal the inspirational story of Dr. Evans and her remarkable journey throughout her career.
South Carolina Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer
South Carolina’s Matilda Evans is a sweeping tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Arabella Evans, the first African American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. The book traces her incredible journey from humble beginnings in the post-slavery South to becoming a fierce advocate for public health, education, and civil rights. Written by Walter B. Curry Jr., Anusha Ghosh, and Beverly Aiken Muhammad, the biography weaves together archival research, family history, and personal recollections to offer a detailed account of Evans’s personal resolve, her pioneering medical work, and her tireless efforts to uplift her community.
Reading this book was both moving and sobering. The writing is clean and clear, sometimes formal but never dry. What stood out most was the immense care the authors took in documenting not just Evans’s achievements, but the deeply rooted racial and historical forces she had to navigate. From her educational path at Schofield and the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, to the establishment of the Taylor Lane Hospital and Evans Clinic, her story is full of persistence and purpose. I was struck by the humility in her work. She didn’t seek the spotlight. She wanted people, especially poor Black families, to receive decent care. You can’t read this without feeling her heart. It honestly made me reflect on how easily we forget the giants who walked before us.
The book provides exhaustive detail at times about family lineage or local historical context that is informative, but slows the narrative. I found myself wishing for more intimate glimpses into Evans’s own thoughts, struggles, and inner life because what we are given is so fascinating. The book shows how she used her influence to fight for systemic change, founding the Negro Health Association, publishing her own journal, and confronting health inequality head-on. The authors’ deep personal connection to Evans adds another layer of warmth and respect, which I came to appreciate more as the chapters unfolded.
I’d recommend South Carolina’s Matilda Evans to anyone interested in women’s history, Black history, public health, or just good old-fashioned grit. It’s especially relevant for students and professionals in medicine, teaching, or social work. If you’ve ever doubted the power of one person to change the world, Dr. Matilda Evans’s life will shake you out of it.
Pages: 196 | ASIN : B0DZJ5FKRB
The Great Boomsky
Margaret B. Steele’s The Great Boomsky offers a compelling historical account of the life and career of Isaac Willis, known on stage as ‘The Great Boomsky.’ Through meticulous research and an engaging narrative, Steele captures the fascinating journey of Willis from the cotton fields of Georgia to the grand stages of magic shows against the backdrop of America’s transformative period of racial and social change. This book does not merely chronicle the rise of a Black magician but also paints a vivid picture of the era’s cultural and racial dynamics.
Steele’s writing shines with clarity and richness, successfully bringing to life the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her prose is accessible yet sophisticated, balancing well between academic rigor and narrative engagement. The structure of the book, with detailed chapters divided into acts, cleverly mirrors the theatrical world that Boomsky inhabited.
I enjoyed the book’s exploration of themes such as resilience, identity, and the struggle for recognition against the odds. Steele’s portrayal of Willis navigating the complex racial landscapes of his time offers insightful reflections on the intersections of race, entertainment, and history.
Steele’s rigorous research is evident throughout the book, showcasing an impressive command of historical detail and context. The inclusion of photographs, posters, and newspaper clippings not only enriches the historical authenticity but also provides a visual connection to the past.
The Great Boomsky, by Margaret B. Steele, illuminates a previously underrepresented figure in magic and entertainment. I recommend Steele’s book to readers interested in history, particularly those keen on the intersections of race, culture, and performance art. It’s also a valuable resource for enthusiasts of magic and performance history.
Pages: 494 | ASIN : B0D5DK1G4Y
Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future
Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future is a moving and meticulously researched compilation by Lori Ann LaRocco and Abby Wallace. This work delves into the experiences of four African American families across two centuries, tracing their journey through numerous trials and tribulations. The narrative encapsulates both the harrowing aspects of their histories and the indomitable resilience of the human spirit. It serves as a testament to the unrecognized contributions of the enslaved individuals who played a significant role in shaping American history.
The core message, “We are all a product of our past,” resonates throughout the book, emphasizing the importance of historical narratives passed down through generations. LaRocco and Wallace have devoted extensive hours to interviewing descendants and griots, the traditional custodians of these family stories, ensuring an authentic and detailed portrayal of their subjects. The book not only revives forgotten African traditions and histories but also confronts the ongoing issues of dehumanization and discrimination against Black Americans.
The narrative begins with the poignant tale of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to America, and progresses through the establishment of Africatown by Pollee and Rose Allen. It presents the compelling history of the Madison family, descended from an American president, and the enduring legacy of the Quander family, one of America’s oldest documented Black families. The book culminates with the inspiring story of the Brooks family, distinguished by having three Generals within their lineage.
Targeted primarily at the youth, Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future serves as a profound reminder of the importance of understanding one’s heritage to foster a brighter future. However, its reach extends far beyond the young adult demographic. LaRocco and Wallace’s book offers an enlightening perspective on American history, capable of moving readers deeply and altering their perceptions of everyday life in the United States.
Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0CR8232WM
LITERARY TITAN 