Not only did I graduate with my Masters in Secondary Education with a teaching credential in April; I got a job! I only applied to one school, and that is the school where I did my student teaching. I love this school for three reasons: it has a diverse student body, faculty in the social studies department are amazing, and the administration is actively pursuing diversity and inclusion from the top down. I am so excited to teach!!!
Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” Book Review
Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just, wow. The editor Deborah G. Plant did an amazing job putting Hurston’s manuscript into, “The Story of the Last Black Cargo.” The early life of Cudjo in West Africa prior to his illegal capture, transport, and enslavement in America was eye opening. There are very few narratives of freedmen, and to learn about his life prior to captivity made this “peculiar institution” an even greater evil. Cudjo’s vernacular, stories and histories revealed the reality of enslaved Africans lives before it all went to hell.
Foolish fallacies passed down as facts are revealed as lies,
“We come in de ‘Merica soil naked and de people say we naked savage. Dey say we doan wear no clothes. Dey doan know de Many-costs snatch our clothes ‘way from us.” -Cudjo
The reality of police brutality from the Emancipation Proclamation until now,
“Somebody call hisself a deputy sheriff kill de baby boy now… he say he de law, but he doan come ‘rest him…Oh, Lor’! He shootee my boy in de throat. He got no right shootee my boy. He make out he skeerd my boy goin’ shoot him and shootee my boy down in de store…Dey doan do nothin’ to de man whut killee my son.” -Cudjo
No reparations for Freedmen and the onset of economic and social freedom in America,
“Cap’n jump on his feet and say, ‘Fool do you think i goin’ give you property on top of property? I tookee good keer of my slaves in slavery and derefo’ I doan owe dem nothin? You doan belong to me now, why must I give you my lan’?” This was Cudjo’s former master’s response to his request for land upon emancipation after laboring five years and six months as a slave without pay.
A response to “Go back to Africa!” upon emancipation,
“We work hard and try to save our money. But it too much money we need. So we think we stay here.” -Cudjo
Honestly, I could go on and on about this book. The most affirming part was the Afterword. Please read this book for yourself, as Plant states, “Barracoon does not articulate an explicit political agenda. And it does not speak with the kind of heroic, self-possessed, and self-realized voice associated with black autobiography.”
Catwoman: Soulstealer Book Review
Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
As a low key SJM fan, I was pretty excited for this book. SJM did a great job introducing us to to the main character and right on up until Catwoman met her love interest. I was all the way in. Respect for Maas addressing racial profiling and implicit bias in law enforcement. Thank you queen 👑. After that though, my interest in the book totally waned and I found myself struggling to finish. Perhaps DC stories are better told on screen or in a comic/graphic novel. The rest of the plot was run of the mill DC and despite SJM’s efforts, I couldn’t stay connected. Perhaps that’s no fault of the writer an more about the cheesiness and predictability of these plots. Had this been her own original novel, I’m pretty sure she would have amped this up a bit more.
The Black Witch (The Black Witch Chronicles, #1) Book Review
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
This is the first time I have ever given a book one star. Just one. LOL I really felt like this book kept trying to go somewhere but it never made it to its destination. Mind you, I did not even finish this book. Maybe because I am not a “young adult”. I could not endure reading angst and pains of youth and subpar writing. I read about a third of this book and I just cant. So I gave up. Forgive me guys, but maybe this author needed a better editor cuz…yikes.
The Empress (The Diabolic, #2) Book Review
The Empress by S.J. Kincaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
So y’all already know how much I loved The Diabolic. Therefore, it would be a crime for me to NOT read the second book, The Empress. What I enjoyed about The Empress, is that I got a better view of the world/galaxy Kincaid has built. Now I don’t usually divulge the plot in my reviews but I must tell you how frustrated I am with Diabolic and her need to be in control of everything. But it’s her nature! Her greatest purpose, protecting her man, totally erupts despite her good intentions. Diabolic makes the biggest mistake ever!
Book Life Lessons: Low key, there is a lesson in this. If you’re anything like me, having a plan, motivation and a goal is a shield for failure. But you cannot plan your life around other peoples lives. We must stay in our lane and not try to run someone else race thinking its our duty to carry them. All your efforts just might blow up in your face and the person who you were running with becomes your greatest enemy. OUCH!
I cannot wait for the next book in this series and honestly, I feel like Kindcaid is just getting started. So is it a trilogy? May it not be so! We need two more books sis. Kincaid, continue to take your because we want you to bring us hot fire!
teachquelle 