Book Review: America I Am Journal
Edited by Clarence V. Reynolds
Publication Date: Jun 15, 2010
List Price: $11.95
Format: Paperback, 240 pages
Classification: Fiction
ISBN13: 9781401924072
Imprint: SmileyBooks
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann
Read a Description of America I Am Journal
Book Reviewed by Kam Williams
"’Would America have been America without her Negro
people?’ The question posed by
W.E.B. Du Bois serves as the underlying theme for America I AM… It spurs
us to consider how the original gifts of African culture were uniquely
manifested in America, and helped to lay the foundation for the creation of
this country.
If we wrestle with this question, we will begin to see just how central
black people have been in creating, sustaining, and contributing to America,
both past and present. Such contemplation allows us to finally recognize
African-Americans’ indisputable economic, socio-political, spiritual, and
cultural."
—Excerpted from the Introduction (page 1)
My son has repeatedly said to me that he thinks of African-Americans as the
only true Americans, because we not only shed so much of our blood, sweat
and tears as slaves during the foundation of the nation, but have also
contributed to the country’s unique cultural legacy in terms of music,
dance, language and elsewhat. Affirming such wisdom coming from the mouth of
babes is America I AM, a journal edited by Clarence V. Reynolds, a veteran
journalist who has written for Discover,
The Network
Journal and the Black
Issues Book Review.
Designed as much to be written in as to be perused by each reader, America I
AM is essentially a 200+ page diary whose pages are graced with famous
quotations from leading figures in African-American history. The idea is to
celebrate the struggles, sacrifices and survival against the odds of a
people who simultaneously miraculously managed to enrich the world despite a
host of woes.
Among the more memorable passages recounted here is Harriet Tubman’s telling
reflection abut the source of her inspiration to rescue the least of her
brethren via the Underground Railroad. "I have heard their groans and sighs,
and seen their tears, and I would give every drop of blood in my veins to
free them," she asserted defiantly.
Then there’s the following excerpt from John Brown’s testimony when put on
trial for his life for leading a slave revolt. "I want you to understand
that I respect the rights of the poorest and weakest of coloured people,
oppressed by the slave system, just as much as I do those of the most
wealthy and powerful. That is the idea that has moved me, and that alone."
A treasure trove of powerful citations with plenty of space allotted for the
musings of potential black leaders of the future.