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The article commemorates Juneteenth by presenting a selection of books that delve into the lives of Black women and their journeys from slavery to other forms of servitude, and eventually, to educational opportunities and financial independence. These books include historical fiction “The American Daughters” by Maurice Carlos Ruffin, “Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year” by Paul Alexander, “James” by Percival Everett, “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine” by Uche Blackstock, “Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America” by Joy-Ann Reid, and “A Quilted Life: Reflections of a Sharecropper’s Daughter” by Catherine Meeks. Each book provides unique insights into the lives, struggles, contributions, and resilience of Black women in various periods of American history.
Commemorating Juneteenth Through Literature
In recognition of Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery on June 19, 1865, these tales delve into the lives of Black women as they moved from slavery to more subtle forms of servitude, and at last, to educational and financial freedom. The journey is long and ongoing.
‘The American Daughters’ by Maurice Carlos Ruffin candidly depicts the harsh lives of Black women during slavery. Protagonist Ady, after facing numerous hardships alongside her mother Sanite, ends up working at a saloon, where she uncovers a group of spies called The Daughters. This historical fiction provides a peek into the brave women fighting against lingering vestiges of slavery in 1870’s New Orleans. For more info about this, check out The American Daughters.
‘Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year’ by Paul Alexander offers an in-depth account of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday’s final days. Her last album “Lady in Satin” was recorded while she battled with liver cirrhosis. Further insights into her life and career can be found in ‘Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth’ and ‘Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday, Cafe Society, and an Early Cry for Civil Rights’.
‘James’ by Percival Everett offers a fresh take on Jim, the slave from Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’. The novel, written from Jim’s perspective, provides a rare glimpse into the life of slaves. It uncovers the personas they had to adopt to meet the low expectations of white masters, while also revealing insights into life along the Mississippi River post-Civil War.
Fighting Racism in Medicine
‘Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine’ by Uche Blackstock is a memoir that exposes systemic racism in modern medical practices. Despite graduating from Harvard Medical School, Blackstock faced racism in her medical care and residency. Today, she continues to fight for equal treatment of all patients through her organization, Advancing Health Equity. Learn more about her journey here.
Inspiring Stories of Civil Rights Advocates
‘Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America’ by Joy-Ann Reid is a dual memoir of Myrlie’s life with Medgar Evers, known for his NAACP work and Civil Rights activism. Featuring comprehensive history and rare photos, this book offers insights into their fight for equality and voting rights in the South.
‘A Quilted Life: Reflections of a Sharecropper’s Daughter’ by Catherine Meeks chronicles her journey from an impoverished farming family in segregated Arkansas to teaching African American studies at Wesleyan College. Meeks’ story is a testament to continuous struggle against racism, symbolized through a quilting analogy that represents her life experiences.
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