Diahanne’s Daily Tributes Day 9: Black History Month

I hope the past week has been a revelatory and inspirational one for you. Not just from reading my blogs, but also from attending events, museums, exhibitions, or simply just reading a book; Black History Month is the perfect time to imbibe as much knowledge as possible.

I’ve decided for the next three days that I would like to share with you a few of my personal inspirations. My only issue is it’s just so difficult to narrow them down! So, let’s kick it off with: Three Books Everyone Should Read.

1. “I Dream A World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America”. By, Brian Lanker.

I fell in love with this book the first moment I opened the first page. Although the saying goes ‘one should never judge a book by its cover’, the stunning front cover of this book is just a taster of what lies within.

First published in 1989, The ‘San Francisco Chronicle’ announced “look on their faces and you, too, will be inspired.” The book is essentially a beautifully complied selection of 70 Black women who followed their dreams. All are in black and white and Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Brian Lanker arranged these photo shoots over a two year period, collecting stories from the women along the way.

Alongside each captivating photo are the stories, advice and words of wisdom of each. Collectively they form a grouping of engaging, captivating women honoured in both photography and words.

2. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston.

During the 1930’s Harlem Renaissance Zora Neale Hurston was a game-changing black female writer who was brave enough to tell it how it was. This book was once famously recommended by the great Alice Walker who declared: “There is no book more important to me than this one.”

Narrated in the voice of a woman who refuses to live in sorrow or anger, it is the story of Janie Crawford and her evolving womanhood through three marriages, poverty, trials, and challenges. This book is controversial, raw and brilliantly timeless.

3. “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe.

Arguably the greatest literary talent to have emerged from Africa, “Things Fall Apart’ is the story of a boy born into the Umuofia clan, a lower Nigerian tribe and his journey into manhood. Published in 1958, it is was one of the first pieces of African literature to receive global critical acclaim. It has sold more than 8 million copies and been translated into over 50 languages. Hailed for his realistic, accessible and hard-hitting style, Achebe is now considered to be not only a legendary African novelist but a literary expert on African identity, nationalism, and decolonization.

I believe these books to be essential to any bookshelf. By reading the works of others and allowing the words to positively shape us, we actively stand on the shoulders of the greatest minds of the century.

At a glance:
If you are new to Black literature, don’t miss these:
1. The Color Purple, Alice Walker
2. Roots by Alex Haley
3. I Have a Dream by Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.
4. Dreams from my Father, Barack Obama.
5. The Interesting Narrative, Oluadah Eqiuano.

Join me tomorrow for Day 10 of Diahanne’s Daily Tributes: Black History Month.

#blackhistorymonth
#rhineysdailyshouts

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