African American tells the story of the much overlooked experience of first and second generation West African immigrants and refugees in the United States during the last forty years. Interrogating the complex role of post-colonialism in the recent history of black America; Marilyn Halter and Violet Showers Johnson highlight the intricate patterns of emigrant work and family adaptation; the evolving global ties with Africa and Europe; and the translocal connections among the West African enclaves in the United States.
#3332891 in Books NYU Press 2005-10-01 2005-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.84 x .96 x 5.67l; 1.02 #File Name: 0814719228349 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Amazing bookBy Lincoln RoseA ot of books over the years have painted John Brown as a mental case and fanatic. This is the first book to seriously trace back the way his religious faith impacted his development. In his day; he ran into the same mentality going on today: people are much more willing to take seriously someone who claims God tells them to uphold discrimination and hatred than someone who feels called to break it down.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fire From the Midst of YOuBy Bizzy ReadingAn excellent biography of John Brown; and a must for anyone interested in him or the Abolitionist movement. The author explores the very important religious background and beliefs of Brown; which is misunderstood by many secular authors and people without the understanding of fundamentalist Congregationalism. A very enjoyable read about what is often a difficult subject; and historically accurate.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Moral and mortal John BrownBy Jean Libby; Allies for FreedomThis is the first actual biography of John Brown published since the 1970s; by historian and religious educator Louis A. DeCaro; Jr. It skillfully contextualizes John Brown's religious and abolitionist development within his Calvinist background and the evangelical movement of ninteenth century America. John Brown is is shown -- through careful and lengthy research -- as a son; brother; husband (twice); and father as well as the leader of the militant abolitionists. The book is especially rich with the relationship of John Brown to African Americans; notably free people in the North who were creating communities of families and congregations in Springfield; Massachusetts and in Essex County; New York. These individuals come alive in their relationship with John Brown; who the author calls "the practical shepherd;" assisting with ownership of small farms and businesses; extending the American dream of self-sufficiency; land ownership; and the rights of citizenship to African Americans. DeCaro has researched Thomas Thomas; first an employee at John Brown's wool warehouse and then a resturanteur who moves to Illinois and becomes a friend of Abraham Lincoln: "Brown and Lincoln never came so close as they did in friendship with Thomas Thomas; and the black man could speak with some authority about both leaders." Dr. DeCaro does not flinch from analysis of the Pottawatomie Massacre in Kansas in 1856; and develops an accurate background of the threatening acts of the victims. He examines several historical viewpoints about the incident; and has found a recollection by the grandaughter of Henry Thompson; the son-in-law of John Brown who was part of the violent attack. The author asks: "perhaps a fundamentally different question is needed to frame the Pottawatomie killings. What kind of circumstances would drive exceptionally moral and religious people like the Browns to such desparate measures?" This biographer of John Brown feels his subject deeply; from his heart; and from his chest as he breathes new life into the complex and human individual whose moral fire made people worldwide think about the immorality of slavery.
