Want to learn more about Black history and the motherland?
Want to learn more about Black history and the motherland? Then the first thing you need to do is pick up a book by a Black writer or two.
In my opinion, a big part of Blackness is rooted in Africanism and it’s important to read African stories in addition to others to understand the origin and the source. You’ll see that Black stories can be rich, positive and empowering outside of the common stereotypical narratives we see in mainstream literature and film.
Sadly, a lot of what we see portrayed in the news and in movies is not a true depiction of what it means to be Black – high crime, underachievement and poverty. A lot of novels simply don’t contain Black characters and when they do, the Black person is a villain or an antagonist. Most of what we see is written from the point of view of white writers who can’t understand being Black.
I’ve rounded up 10 authors who weave interesting stories surrounding characters who are of African descent. So if there’s one thing you do this month to catch up on Black History, pick up one of these books and get lost in a whole new world!
1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Beyoncé introduced her to a whole new audience by using her voice and words on feminism in her song Flawless. Adichie is a leading writer from Nigeria, who mostly writes about characters from her native land as they come of age and navigate a complex world. If you want to transport yourself to the big cities or dusty small towns of Nigeria and walk in the shoes of Nigerians in diaspora, then this is the author for you. She’s penned seven books so far and they’re all widely available.
2. Maya Angelou
Born in 1928 in Missouri, United States to parents who were slaves, Angelou experienced segregation and racism from the front lines. She also grew up in an era when women were struggling to be recognised as more than just homemakers, so it’s no surprise these themes feature prominently in her writing. A few fan favourites from her include I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women. Reading her books ignites a fiery pride in my womanhood and African authenticity.
3. Terry Macmillan
McMillan is a specialist at creating stories highlighting ordinary Black men and women navigating work, relationships and fulfilment, often basing her novels on her own life experiences. I always find myself rolling my neck and snapping my fingers along with the strong Black women in her books. Some of her work has been adapted on the big screen including How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale.
4. Ngugi Wa Thiong’o
Another acclaimed author of African literature, Thiong’o is a Kenyan novelist who writes predominantly in Kikuyu, his native Kenyan dialect. His breakthrough novel Weep Not, Child focuses on themes of colonisation, racial prejudice and poverty, but also beautifully draws you into the minds of its protagonists, to better empathise with the African colonial experience.
source: https://ngugiwathiongo.com
5. Chinua Achebe
This playwright and author is the mastermind behind the iconic African story Things Fall Apart which depicts pre-colonial life in Nigeria. If you want to immerse yourself in the richness of Igbo culture and imagine what the society was like in Africa before colonialism then this is the book for you. Achebe also wrote a number of other novels, poems and plays all centering on Igbo culture.
6. Michelle Obama
the First lady of the United States from 2009- 2017, her autobiography Becoming recounts her family’s foray into the White House as the first African American family to ever do so. Her book tells us about her warm upbringing, how she was encouraged by her parents to aim high and not be bound by the limits which the world puts on Black people to succeed in spite of racism. It’s a relatable book which shows Black people have the same hopes and dreams as anyone else and more importantly, we deserve the same successes.
7. Alice Walker
I recently read The Colour Purple by Walker and it opened my eyes to the oppression of Black Americans and how trauma continues to be passed down generationally. Walker shows us Black Americans inherit trauma from their ancestors and pass these hypervigilant, defense mechanisms down to their children without even realising. In this story, Walker beautifully captured how Black people in the early 20th Century internalised being told they couldn't do better and that they needed to be happy with their lot.
And here are the ones I’m looking forward to reading next:
8. Zadie Smith
Whilst I haven’t yet read any of her novels, I remember her debut novel White Teeth coming out and staying on the best-seller lists for weeks as well as winning every prestigious award going. Smith writes not only about race but she also explores class, immigration, marriage and femininity.
Source: https://www.penguin.co.uk
9. Bernardine Evaristo
I can’t wait to read her books as I find her book covers really thought-provoking and colourful in themselves. She’s the first Black British woman to win the Booker prize for her eighth book Girl, Woman, Other. Once again, she explores themes such as race, sex and cultural myths.
10. Alex Haley
Finally, this list wouldn't be complete without the man who gave us Roots. The film adaptation of this was my very first revelation of the concept of slavery. When the series was first released in 1977, African American history was put under a spotlight for the first time to see the inhumanity and oppressiveness of the slavery regime, as well as the impact it continues to have on the average African American’s psyche. He wrote several other books including The Autobiography of Malcolm X which is now recognised as an African American literary classic.
I hope that you enjoy discovering Black people through the powerful stories by these authors this month and beyond. Stay curious!