"THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS"

   

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

By: Rebecca Skloot

            

            In this painfully detailed account of the life, death, and immortality of an African American woman Henrietta Lacks, author Rebecca Skloot sheds light on an example of why the African American community is fearful of medical assistance. Henrietta Lacks was a woman suffering from cervical cancer. She attended Johns Hopkins hospital for her treatment. However, neither she nor her family was informed that a sample of her cells both from her cervix and cancerous tumor were taken and used for medical experimentation. Her cells created a scientific revolution within the medical realm because they allowed scientists to experiment on her disposable stolen cells.  Skloot exposes the mistreatment and malpractice of doctors and scientists in the 50’s and illustrates not only the physical suffering that Henrietta Lacks went through, but also the residual effects and anguish that her family had to endure. Remaining as residents in the inner city of Baltimore, MD the descendant of Henrietta Lacks have been plagued with poverty, poor health, violence, and all of this was spurred primarily because of not knowing what happened to their mother.

                In the science realm the cells stolen from Lacks were known simply as HeLa for the first two letters of her first and last name. Speculations over the years reported her name as Helen Lane, Henrietta Leaks, or some other random interpretation of who HeLa could stand for. The Lacks children were not informed of the use their mothers’ cells or the scientific revolution she assisted with. This book not only discusses the medical injustice that Henrietta endured but her oldest daughter Elise as well. Born with a mild mental disability as the result of her parents suffering from syphilis Elise was checked into Crownsville hospital for the Negro insane and after the death of her mother she died alone and forgotten at the age of 15. Skloot details the mission she and Lacks daughter Deborah to discover what happened not only to Henrietta’s cells but to Deborah’s big sister. This author masterfully and respectfully brings the reader into the lives of a family who have lived their entire life with the short end of the stick but still manages to maintain a strong sense of family and loyalty. This page turner will open the eyes of the reader and bring them into the world of medical conspiracy, faith, illegal medical experimentation, family, and truth. I recommend this to any and everyone to inform themselves on the history of where Western medicine has come from and the numerous unnamed subjects it used and mutilated in the name of science.  

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"BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE"

“Beautiful Struggle”

By: Ta-Nehisi Coates

                Baltimore native Ta-Nahensi Coates introduces the reader to a thoroughly written memoir depicting his life growing up in the inner city of Baltimore Maryland and the relationship between his father, brother, and himself. Opening the story with his brother ‘Big Bill’ getting jumped by a group of teenagers while the two of them are walking home from watching wrestling, Coates centers  his upbringing around the Afrocentric philosophies and practices of his father. He discusses value of knowledge and consciousness in his home. Coates describes his household as constantly active and full of energy, primarily because his father had 7 children by 4 women and it was considered a form of punishment to be sent to their father’s house for discipline. Only Coates and his youngest brother were permanent fixtures under their roof along with their parents. Growing up the goal was to eventually make it to Howard University which was referred to as ‘Mecca’, the ideology of his father was that once a boy turned 17 he had a one year grace period before he was on his own. Coates experience in Baltimore’s inner city was a conflicting dual of cultures that from a young age he had to learn to walk a fine line in the search of his own identity. From playing sports, to undergoing an African rite of passage, to discovering a passion for African drumming Coates explores the conflicts of being a young black man growing up during the crack era in one of the worst inner cities in the country and how he and his family came out victorious on the other side. This is a beautifully written piece with poetic language and honest passion. His is a story that is unique to most but skillfully illustrates that regardless of how you prepare for life, there are always unforeseen obstacles that emerge, however they can be overcome as well. I encourage anyone to go and check this out and support a local author. SO however you get it make sure you go out and Read a Book, Read a Book, Read a Book!!!!!

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Wrapped In Rainbows

“Wrapped in Rainbows, the Life of Zora Neal Hurston”

By: Valerie Boyd              

Author and journalist Valerie Boyd presents a detailed depiction of the colorful life of famous Harlem renaissance author Zora Neal Hurston. Starting from her all Black hometown of Eatonville Florida Hurston’s had never experienced true poverty until much later in her life as a struggling author. Instead as a child Hurston thrived from her imagination and open space to roam free. At a young age she lost her mother and never having a close relationship with her father Hurston was on her own, with the exception of minimal support from her siblings. Hurston’s was a life of mystery and flamboyance. Taking ten years off her age at 26 Ms. Hurston was able to re enter school under the guise of a teenager in order to pursue her goal of finishing school. Always being a free spirit Hurston realized that her purpose was not as a student in the classroom but instead as a student out in the field. Anthropology became her passion, and Southern Black folklore was her subject. Though Hurston is known best as a writing ‘Their eyes Were Watching God’, her enthusiasm came from collecting voodoo practices, ritual dances, children’s games, and stories. This book takes you from the rich streets of Harlem into the jungles of Haiti and Honduras to give a better grasp of this amazing woman and not just the contribution she gave to literature but the impression that she had on this world. Strengths in this book come from first-hand accounts and documentation from Hurston as well as her associates including Langston Hughes, Ethel Waters, and James Weldon Johnson.  I highly recommend it and I’m telling you guys to go out and read a book read a book read a book!!!

Wrapped In Rainbows

“Wrapped in Rainbows, the Life of Zora Neal Hurston”

By: Valerie Boyd              

Author and journalist Valerie Boyd presents a detailed depiction of the colorful life of famous Harlem renaissance author Zora Neal Hurston. Starting from her all Black hometown of Eatonville Florida Hurston’s had never experienced true poverty until much later in her life as a struggling author. Instead as a child Hurston thrived from her imagination and open space to roam free. At a young age she lost her mother and never having a close relationship with her father Hurston was on her own, with the exception of minimal support from her siblings. Hurston’s was a life of mystery and flamboyance. Taking ten years off her age at 26 Ms. Hurston was able to re enter school under the guise of a teenager in order to pursue her goal of finishing school. Always being a free spirit Hurston realized that her purpose was not as a student in the classroom but instead as a student out in the field. Anthropology became her passion, and Southern Black folklore was her subject. Though Hurston is known best as a writing ‘Their eyes Were Watching God’, her enthusiasm came from collecting voodoo practices, ritual dances, children’s games, and stories. This book takes you from the rich streets of Harlem into the jungles of Haiti and Honduras to give a better grasp of this amazing woman and not just the contribution she gave to literature but the impression that she had on this world. Strengths in this book come from first-hand accounts and documentation from Hurston as well as her associates including Langston Hughes, Ethel Waters, and James Weldon Johnson.  I highly recommend it and I’m telling you guys to go out and read a book read a book read a book!!!

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The Tempest Tales

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"Tempest Tales”

By: Walter Mosley

                Notable author Walter Mosley, steps out of his famous series of Easy Rollins crime and murder mysteries and into a novel that challenges the traditional interpretation of faith and belief. Here the reader is introduced to Tempest Landry, a Black man living in Harlem, his is a life of daily survival. The book opens with Tempest being murdered by the police in a case of mistaken identity. Tempest is then sent to the afterlife. While approaching the pearly gates and St. Peter, he is asked to accept his sins and be cast into Hell with the Devil. Tempest refuses and explains that the sins he is being accused of were merely circumstantial occurrences. This refusal and challenge to the order of things interrupts the routine of the passage into the afterlife and frustrates the Angels. As a result Tempest is sent back to Earth along with a guardian angel who takes the form of a human. The purpose of the angel is to discuss with Tempest the nature of the sins he has committed and accept being condemned to hell. However as the angel begins to experience the everyday life of a person in the same circumstance as Tempest it becomes harder for him to form his arguments against Tempest. When discussing the nature or content surrounding a sin, Tempest simply questions whether an error, is the same as sin.

                This book is an honest conversation that people would with to have with an authority of God. It questions the nature of sin, guilt, and circumstance. Mosley poses the provocative question: Is sin for Blacks the same as it is for Whites? And who gets to decide? Done in a style with humor and quick wit Tempest Tales is an easy read that everyone should go out and read. However you get it, check out the library or borrow from a friend, just make sure you go out and Read a Book!! 

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"THE KID"

“The Kid”

By: Sapphire

Controversial Author Sapphire brings her readers the sequel from her tragic 1997 release of Push. In the conclusion of previous heartbreaking story “Push” heroine Precious walks away victorious with the custody of her children and a hopeful life ahead of her. The opening of “The Kid” introduces us to young Abdul at the age of 8 preparing for his mothers’ funeral that day. Succumbing to complications from AIDS Precious has passed away and left Abdul vulnerable to society. Sapphire, true to form, illustrates how Abdul’s world is turned upside down as the result of his mothers’ death and was soon placed into foster care where he soon experiences the dark-side of the system. Following along Abdul’s transformation from a young intelligent child with a future, into a victim and soon after a victimizer in a Catholic orphanage is heart wrenching to witness however it opens the readers’ eyes to how easily Abdul’s situation can be applied to a non-fictional character. 

The patterns of speech and thought in ‘The Kid’ are somewhat complicated to understand. The confused ramblings of a 8, and 14 year old transform into the clear views of a man nearing adulthood. Past stories of Abduls’ grandmother and great grandmother gives insight into the cycle of molestation, incest, rape, and poverty that both Abdul and his mother were cursed to be born in. I can’t say that this book is enjoyable to read, even if you can take “Push” its sequel is much more difficult to stomach. However it is beneficial to read as far discussing the issues of sexual abuse that runs rampant in the Black community under the shroud of secrecy. It also exposes the holes of the legal and foster care system that have long needed to be discussed and fixed so that “The Kid” does not have to one day be the reality and autobiography for another. However you get it make sure you go out and READ A BOOK!

"Perfect Peace"

“Perfect Peace”

By: Daniel Black PhD.

                Author and Associate Professor Daniel Black in his third novel ‘Perfect Peace’ addresses the complexities of gender, sexual identity, and the nature vs. nurture argument within the African American community. Set in Jim Crow Arkansas rural south. Black introduces his reader to the Peace family. Henrietta and Gus Peace are the parents of 6 boys; they are a farming family that relies heavily on manual labor in order to make ends meet. The book opens with Henrietta in labor with their 7^th child whom everyone is hoping turns out to be a girl. Gus has already stated regardless of the sex of the child, this will be their last child because they simply cannot afford another mouth to feed. Henrietta gives birth to another boy, however, overwhelmed with disappointment and panic she blackmails the midwife forcing her to announce that the new addition to the Peace family is a beautiful baby girl named Perfect.

                Perfect is a child that grows up believing she is as any ordinary girl until her 8^th birthday when her world falls apart after her mother tells her the truth. Now turning from Perfect into Paul Peace author Daniel Black takes the reader on Paul’s journey through confusion, heart break, and ultimately resolution to who he is as a man. Black demonstrates his ability to develop characters in a manner in which none are one dimensional, he works multiple plot lines and gives all who are featured in this story depth.  Black brotherly love, whether sexual or not pervades this book in a way of reassurance that demonstrates men, specifically Black men are able to express themselves and reveal feelings about themselves unashamedly. Perfect Peace is a noble effort in the discussion of gender identity which has been swept under the rug in the past by the Black community rather than seeing it with a critical eye. And how past generations may have dealt with this type of issue which conflicts with some modern interpretations.

                Overall this is a good read for anyone, Perfect Peace is a page turner that keeps the reader engaged in the story never wanting to put the book down. So whatever you do, however you get it, go and check out Perfect Peace by Daniel Black and READ A BOOK!

"One Day it'll All Make Sense"

“One Day it’ll All Make Sense”

Written By: Common & Adam Bradley

‘Conscious’ rapper, actor, and now book author Common has broken into the literary world with his autobiographical work entitled ‘One Day it’ll All Make Sense’ named for his 1997 studio album. Common illustrates his childhood experiences growing up in Chicago with his mother Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines who plays a role in the flow of the book as well. In addition to writing the foreword to her sons’ book, the chapters are echoed by Dr. Hines commentary along the trail ways of Common’s life and career adding her own insight into his experiences. Common also adds another element of depth by starting each chapter with a personalized letter addressing and important figure in his life including his parents, daughter, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, and Hip-Hop herself.

Common is able to bring the reader along a candid journey of finding himself and coming into his own light as an artist. I highly recommend this book for any hip hop fan, conscious, fan, not familiar with Common, anyone. Common underlines the intricacies, intensity, creativity, and weirdness that consists of who we as fans understand him to be. He discusses the celebrities whose paths he has been fortunate to cross from his youth including Michael Jordan, Ice Cube, Mos Def, and more. His spirituality plays a large role in what motivates him and he discusses a childhood experience that he feels ties him to the hate crime victim Emmett Till who was also a son of Chicago.

In addition to rap, Common has entered into the world of Hollywood and takes acting extremely seriously. He divulges that he came very close to being the first Black superhero on film portraying the Green Lantern, however the funding fell through and he continued looking for roles. Also He addresses the controversy surrounding his invitation to the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama, being a fan, invited Common to an evening for youth celebrating poetry and expression. He and President Obama share a connection in being Chicago natives, and members of Rev. Jeremiah Wrights church, which compelled him to write a moving poem for the event.

Love, loss, adolescence, spirituality, belief, hurt, and joy are all emotionally tied into the experiences that have made Common into the artist we see in front of us. He shows his humanity, and his humility.  He honestly delves into his gradual progression into fame and his internal battle as a conscious artist. “The only problem with being labeled a conscious artist is that people assume that’s all you are that you’re not also a complex and flawed individual. Just because I might write a song that speaks up for awareness doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes and that I’m not going to continue making more mistakes on my journey through life” (pg. 303).