An accomplished poet, playwright and fiction writer, Jabari Asim has been described as one of the most influential African American literary critics of his generation.  Asim is the editor in chief of The Crisis, the NAACP’s flagship publication. For the previous eleven years he was an editor at the Washington Post Book World. His writing has appeared in Essence, Salon, the Los Angeles Times, the Village Voice, the Hungry Mind Review, Emerge, and elsewhere. He lives in Maryland.

The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why
Click to order via Amazon

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (March 26, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618197176
ISBN-13: 978-0618197170

The N Word reveals how the slur has both reflected and spread the scourge of bigotry in America over the last 400 years. Asim pinpoints Thomas Jefferson as the source of our enduring image of the “nigger.” In Jefferson’s seminal but now obscure essay, he marshaled a welter of pseudo-science to define the stereotype of a shiftless child-man with huge appetites and stunted self control. Asim reveals how nineteenth-century “science” then colluded with popular culture to amplify this slander. What began as false generalizations became institutionalized in every corner of our society: the arts and sciences, sports, the law, and on the streets. Asim’s conclusion is as original as his premise. He argues that, even when uttered with the opposite intent by hipsters and hip-hop icons, using the slur helps keep blacks at the bottom of America’s socio-economic ladder. But, Asim also proves, there is a place for this word in the mouths and on the pens of those who truly understand its twisted history—from Mark Twain to Dave Chappelle to Mos Def. Only when we know its legacy can we loosen this slur’s grip on our national psyche.

Not Guilty: Twelve Black Men Speak Out on Law, Justice, and Life
Click to order via Amazon

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Amazon Remainders Account;
Reprint edition (October 1, 2002)
ISBN-10: 0060959975

Not Guilty is an anthology prompted by the acquittal of the four New York City policemen involved in the shooting of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed black man. I borrowed the concept of a jury of one’s peers to provide a structure for the project, which was initially suggested by my beloved wife. I sought out 11 black male writers and thinkers from various backgrounds and areas of expertise to join me in an exploration of American justice and our contentious relationship with the legal system

Whose Knees are These? (Board book)
Click to order via Amazon

Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 20 pages
Publisher: L,B Kids; Brdbk edition (March 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316735760

PreS–In these books, playful rhymes answer the title question. Knees like these/don't grow on trees. Ten little lovelies/all in a row./ Whose toes are those?/ Do you know? On each spread, viewers get a glimpse of the youngster in question. On the final spread, the book takes a vertical twist to show the whole, laughing child. The stories are sweet and simple, and children will enjoy bending knees or wiggling toes along with the protagonists. The illustrations were sketched in graphite and painted digitally; they are warm and lively with swirls of color and friendly animals looking on. The text refers to knees so brown and so strong and toes so brown and sweet. These titles will add welcome diversity to board-book collections. –Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Daddy Goes to Work
Click to order via Amazon

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (May 10, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316735752

PreSchool-Grade 1–In a rhyming text, an African-American girl tells about spending the day with her father at his office. After she and Daddy ride the subway together, the youngster meets his coworkers, helps him write memos, and holds the posters for a presentation. At midday, they head outside for a bite to eat and a walk through the park. At five o'clock, it's time to call Mom and tell her they are on their way home. Unfortunately, many of the rhymes sound forced, the rhythm is sometimes awkward, and the word choices don't always ring true for the narrator's age. The double-page watercolor illustrations effectively depict the child and her parents, as well as scenes of the city and Daddy's workplace. Boyd portrays the multiethnic cast nicely for the most part, but falls down in his rendering of some of the background characters, who look unfinished, and a laptop that has too many overly raised keys to appear even remotely realistic. While this picture book may fulfill a need in some collections, the uneven writing and artwork prevent it from being more than a marginal purchase.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Road to Freedom: A Story of the Reconstruction (Jamestown's American Portraits)
Click to order via Amazon

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 136 pages
Publisher: School Specialty Publishing (April 15, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 076963432X

Jamestown’s American Portraits explores the growth of different generations and cultures through the lives of young boys and girls. These titles are told from a diverse group of boys and girls, coming from different and unique backgrounds that represent America’s own diverse population, spanning from the Jamestown Settlement to the Civil Rights Movement.

Related Links

Jabari Asim Official Website
http://www.jabariasim.com

 

AALBC.com Home | Advertise | Discussion | Chat | Books | Fun Stuff | About AALBC.com | Writer's Resources | Get on the AALBC.com | Reviews | Events | Send us Feedback | Privacy Policy | Buy Any Book]

Search Now: