1. The Mis-Education of the Negro, By Carter G. Woodson. The classic bestseller and must read that investigates the particulars and pitfalls of Black Education. Woodson was the founder of Black History Week which later became Black History Month.
2. The Auobiography of Assata Shakur, by Assata Shakur. Assata Shakur a.k.a. Joanne Chesmiore was a member of the Black Panther Party who now lives in exile in Cuba. Her biography chronicles her experiences growing up in the South and coming into political consciousness that led her towards a full committment to the liberation of her people.
3. The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu's classic is about the art of managing conflict and fighting without fighting. (note: The book is extremely metaphorical and thousands of years old. Read the book as you would the Bible.) Though there are numerous translations, I recommend the Cleary Translation.
4. The Tao Teh Ching, by Lao Tzu. This book along with The Art of War is the classic Taoist text that is both an excellent introduction and foundation to Taoist thought. Like Sun Tzu's work the book must be read numerous times. Both Lao Tzu and Sun Tzu write and teach through aphorisms which require a fair amount of contemplation and meditation by the student.
5. The I-Ching, no author, translation by Richard Wilhelm. This book is one of the oldest in China presenting and explaining sixty four hexegrams based on eight fundamental forces that exist in nature. The book is extremely dense and requires significant study to penetrate; however, some have said that the books code represents a fundamental code that can be used to view and deal with anything.
6. Beloved, by Toni Morrison. This Pulitzer Prize winning book by Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison captures the experience of motherhood during slavery. Morrison is a master. I usually summarize the book under the theme of motherhood during slavery. Morrison's narrative and technique are worthy of long and intent study.
7. From the Browder File, by Anthony Browder. Browder is a self taught Egyptologist and pioneer in the African Centered Movement. His text is an excellent primer for young people seeking to understand the relationship between Egypt and Africa, and the pivotal role of African American culture in American culture.
8. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Hailey. This book tells the story of Malcolm X's life and presents his transformation from Malcolm Little, to Malcolm X, to El Hajj Malik El Shabazz.
9. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah. This book is a street life classic that tells the story of a young lady named Winter as she comes of age and encounters the "streets."
10. The Bible self explanatory. The strong role of Christianity in the African American community demands one own a Bible and have knowledge of it's scripture and role in our community.
2. The Auobiography of Assata Shakur, by Assata Shakur. Assata Shakur a.k.a. Joanne Chesmiore was a member of the Black Panther Party who now lives in exile in Cuba. Her biography chronicles her experiences growing up in the South and coming into political consciousness that led her towards a full committment to the liberation of her people.
3. The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu's classic is about the art of managing conflict and fighting without fighting. (note: The book is extremely metaphorical and thousands of years old. Read the book as you would the Bible.) Though there are numerous translations, I recommend the Cleary Translation.
4. The Tao Teh Ching, by Lao Tzu. This book along with The Art of War is the classic Taoist text that is both an excellent introduction and foundation to Taoist thought. Like Sun Tzu's work the book must be read numerous times. Both Lao Tzu and Sun Tzu write and teach through aphorisms which require a fair amount of contemplation and meditation by the student.
5. The I-Ching, no author, translation by Richard Wilhelm. This book is one of the oldest in China presenting and explaining sixty four hexegrams based on eight fundamental forces that exist in nature. The book is extremely dense and requires significant study to penetrate; however, some have said that the books code represents a fundamental code that can be used to view and deal with anything.
6. Beloved, by Toni Morrison. This Pulitzer Prize winning book by Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison captures the experience of motherhood during slavery. Morrison is a master. I usually summarize the book under the theme of motherhood during slavery. Morrison's narrative and technique are worthy of long and intent study.
7. From the Browder File, by Anthony Browder. Browder is a self taught Egyptologist and pioneer in the African Centered Movement. His text is an excellent primer for young people seeking to understand the relationship between Egypt and Africa, and the pivotal role of African American culture in American culture.
8. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Hailey. This book tells the story of Malcolm X's life and presents his transformation from Malcolm Little, to Malcolm X, to El Hajj Malik El Shabazz.
9. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah. This book is a street life classic that tells the story of a young lady named Winter as she comes of age and encounters the "streets."
10. The Bible self explanatory. The strong role of Christianity in the African American community demands one own a Bible and have knowledge of it's scripture and role in our community.
