|
Books by
Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd
My Deepest Affections Are Yours /
Journey to the Motherland
/
History
To Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry /
Loving
Black Women
History
to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry
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Reviews
of
History
to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry
The words in this
book made my heart sing. This is because this book gives much
needed information on the African experience and what we have
lost over the years. Ukali's respect for the Black woman of
African descent pays homage to those who have endured so very
much. It is apparaent that this man was raised by a loving set
of parents. I feel that History to Destiny through Afrocentric
Poetry should be in every classroom, not only for children of
the diaspora but for others as well. The d-boys standing on the
corners of the Black communities would benefit greatly from the
words that this brother has penned in such an eloquent fashion.
I recommend this book to all who read and to be read to all those who cannot.
--Cati
A. Hawkins-Okorie, Social Activist
In my reading of
History to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry I found these
poems that radiated with the spirit, and echo the voice and cry
of our elders and ancestors, expressed as a conscious priority
for Africans in America to unite with Africans in the Diaspora.
--Nashid Ahmad, Grassroots Activist and
Spiritual Metaphysicist
The three
decade-plus of poetry presented in this book by brother Larry
Ukali Johnson-Redd speaks to the African mind, and challenges
readers to consider a protracted dedication to love and human
development.
--Itabari M. Zulu, Th.D., President,
African American Library and Information Science Association
Over the years I have known
Ukali, he has been a consistent advocate for justice and
equality for African people everywhere. In this book, History
to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry, Ukali chronicles his
lifetime experiences in America and Africa, and pays homage to
our ancestors Langston Hughes, Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Marvin
Gaye, and many others.
Ukali speaks of solidarity
with African people throughout the Diaspora from Lagos to
Granada and all points in between. He reflects on our lives,
loves, and struggles against racism, oppression and brutality.
But most importantly, he has eloquently captured in these pages
the righteousness and victory of our struggle as an oppressed
people in this the fifth century since enslavement.
In
the tradition of a true griot, Ukali passes on the ancient
practice of putting us in touch with these other, our roots, our
blackness, and our birthright so we can renew our commitment to
ourselves, and our people. . . . I am sure after reading this
book you will discover a man whose love of our people will
undoubtedly serve to awaken the sleeping giant in us all.
--Donald Lacy, Love Life, Don't Take Life
In Ukali and his African writings, we have
racial sensitivity, commitment, and endurance. He's a true soul
brother who knows intimately what is happening in the black
world, from San Quentin to Benin and the negative impact that
the white world has on that black life he loves without hesitation.
His commitment to black liberation and his willingness to put
all that he has to discovery the ins and outs of the black
Atlantic is an amazing life achievement. Thirty years of raising one's own consciousness and those in one's community is
no small feat.
I congratulate him a thousand times for the
creative energy and insight that his two books represent. If you
want to know what it requires to go to Africa and live there for
a couple of years as a teacher on your own wits and your own
resources -- up against the odds, then Journey to the Motherland
is a book for you. His are two of the few books I have read this year.
Ukali's political poems should be read for understanding of
the racial political world we endure. As for myself I prefer
Ukali when he is feeling alone and there is nothing but the
emptiness of the universe remaining, and he gets real personal,
like "Waiting for You."
Then there is the poem for the lady who was at the center of
Ukali's world "My Beautiful Wife."
But there are
other poems like "I Don't Like All I See" with the
lines "Too much poverty/Too much misery/Too much
brutality/I don't like all I see" or the line of
"Don't Sing the Blues for Me" -- "I can sing the
blues for myself."
There is nothing soft about this
brother, he's still on his toes. This is our time. Ukali is out
front.
--Rudy Lewis, Editor of ChickenBones: A
Journal
History
to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry by Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd,
published by Amen-Ra Theological seminary Press / 10920 Wilshire
Boulevard Suite 150-9132 / Los Angeles, CA 90024-6502
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Larry
Ukali Johnson-Redd—Report
on Third Annual
African-American Spoken Word
Festival--
Listen
to Conversations of Africa
by
following this link:
http://www.conversationsofafrica.asmnetwork.net/
You are invited to
listen to this and join in
the conversation and make it
a discussion by calling in
and participating at
347-215-7831! Remember
this segment will begin at 8
PM Pacific Standard Time! Conversations
of Africa
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updated 22 February
2008 |
