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Last Updated: Mar 6th, 2009 - 12:46:10 |
Sometimes it is difficult to recognize that African-American history evolves by the second. Though there is no consensus of milestones in this history, some shoe-ins would include Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad, Ida B. Wells’ campaign against lynching, Marcus Garvey’s U.N.I.A. movement, the Harlem Renaissance and the Rev. Martin Luther King’s fight for civil rights.
Not one of those moments defines the entire African-American struggle and none of them exists without the events before it but each is characterized by the overcoming of racism during dire times when it seemed like societal rules would not budge. For that, the African-American experience has been one of both pride and humiliation, progression and regression, firsts and delayed firsts.
Still I Rise, written by Roland and Taneshia Laird and illustrated by Elihu “Adolfo” Bey, is an accessible document of all these important milestones. In its second edition, the comic book covers history, from slavery to President Obama’s election in November 2008. The original book culminated with the Million March but, once again, Black history unfolds by the second and the Lairds are right there with it.
Every tale in Black history needs a legend and the Lairds effectively pinpoint the heroes of each era. They lay out the rich tradition of resilience through the lives of Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Madame CJ Walker, Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., men and women who have transcended their own lives and have become enduring icons of perseverance. “No matter where we wind up,” remarks the wizened cartoon couple who narrate the comic book, “One thing our history has taught us is that though we may have started in America at the bottom of the ladder, any of us can climb our way to the top….” Those who already are familiar with the landmarks in Black history will find the stories in Still I Rise both historically accurate and politically reflective.
The Lairds, with their prudent sense of history’s canonical events, also dedicate adequate time to each. The sections describing the rise of slavery, the Trans-Atlantic trade that started it all and the Black soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War, are intricately told, as are the stories of the nameless individuals who participated in the freedom rides in the 60s. The Lairds have done commendable research, detailing figures of the Civil Rights Movement. While reporting on that epoch, they shine light on Bayard Rustin and A. Phillip Randolph, principle role players often overshadowed by the accomplishments of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
All bases are covered, which makes Still I Rise a bona fide resource. It doubles up as a reliable classroom tool because it is a non-intimidating introduction to African-American history. Readers get everything from Nat Turner’s Rebellion, to Hurricane Katrina. In short, Still I Rise is a worthwhile companion to Black History Month that readers, young and old, should index.
© Copyright 2006 SeeingBlack.com
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