At one time in American history, the African-American opinion and voice held little real power outside its own community. However, since the advent of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the creation of independent nation-states in Africa, the black voice has gained a new energy in world discourse. Today African-American writers, political figures, and commentators are highly visible as they explore and present a diversity of opinion and thought.
However, a systematic organization of this voice in book form was almost nonexistent before the advent of Black Quotations (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1981), compiled by Anita King. Before King's volume, the black voice was generally ignored or played a small role in the world of standard quotation sources. Thus, King's work introduced many to a concentration of African-American quotes and established a model for African-American-centered quotation books. Even today, her original work (she has a new and expanded edition listed below) dwarfs many of the new books in the field, because unlike some of the new crop (often compiled to meet market demand rather than quality standards), her book is arranged in a chronological sequence, all quotations and proverbs are indexed and numbered, and, when possible, each entry has a complete citation. Moreover, she included over eleven hundred quotations from more than 200 past and present people of African descent from around the world, and she incorporated over 400 anonymous proverbs from the African Diaspora.
Using King's work as a standard {see special box}, I have examined 30 African-American-centered quotation and motivational books, all except one published from 1993 to 1997. The books articulate a diversity of genres and themes: meditation, affirmation, inspiration, devotion, prayers, proverbs, axioms, maxims, and gender-specific formations. Unlike other reference texts, they utilize illustrations, offering African, African-American, or Afrocentric graphics, paintings, drawings, mixed media, or photography to help deliver their message.
The sharp increase in African-American quotation books in recent years parallels other efforts to canonize African-American writing and thought. For example, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Nellie V. McKay's extensive compilation The Norton Anthology of African American Literature (New York: Norton, 1996) presents a comprehensive overview of more than 250 years of the African-American literary tradition. It offers excerpts from the work of over 120 authors from 1746 to the present, not only fiction, essays, and personal narratives but also work songs, poetry, drama, sermons, and gospel, jazz, and rap lyrics. Gates and McKay's anthology is not designed as a quotation book; a number of classic works, in fact, are published in their entirety. Like many of the quotation books, however, The Norton Anthology encompasses the full history of African-American writing and thought.
Other quotation books, however focus primarily on the present, considered by many to be a second renaissance. The term "second renaissance" recalls the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s that brought forth Langston Hughes, Alain Locke, Jean Toomer, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Sterling Brown, Arna Bontemps, and a host of other prominent writers. Yet despite the success of recent authors like Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Cornel West, an excessive focus on the present in quotation books might be overstating the case a bit and welcoming praise before its time. Ideally, these books should look at the current period within a historical context to assist our understanding of its importance.
Even so, the present has witnessed an increased effort to canonize (as well as to create) African-American opinion and thought. This is the result of several factors. First, in the last three decades, African-American studies has entered, and to some extent, established itself in higher education, creating an intellectual niche for canonization. Second, the introduction and refinement of Afrocentricity and the Afrocentric critique/paradigm since the 1980s has posed an intellectual challenge and required many to reconceptualize their idea of knowledge formation, history, and culture. Third, there has been a new search for spiritual empowerment in the African-American community outside the parameters of organized religion. This has manifested itself in the call for meditation, inspirational, and motivational books. Finally, publishers have noted a market, previously ignored, for African-American-centered literature, especially in fiction and quick reference book materials, such as quotation, meditation, and inspirational books.
These four factors obviously cannot explain all the reasons why there is an increase in efforts to canonize African-American opinion via quotation books. However, by looking at the works below, we can begin to provide some insight into this movement and develop directions for further literary and intellectual endeavors.
The annotated bibliography presented below examines a number of works in terms of their scope, content, and organization, using the standards established by King's Black Quotations. The books are divided into four sections: (1) general quotation sources, (2) daily word presentations and meditation/motivation, (3) religion and theology, and (4) gender-specific presentations. After an examination of these genres and the works included within them, one will notice that the African and African Diaspora experience is not at a loss for words--or word-smiths.
General Quotation Works
Amoah, Osei, ed. A Political Dictionary of Black Quotations: Reflecting the Black Man's Dreams, Hopes, Visions. London: Oyokoanyinaase House, 1989. 261 pp. ISBN 0-9514035-0-8, $10.00.
An early treasury of quotations from Africa and the African Diaspora worldwide, organized into 23 themes (culture, justice, pride, etc.) with biographical notes and a name index.
Bell, Janet Cheatham, ed. Famous Black Quotations: From Ancient Egypt to America Today, the Portable Wit and Wisdom of a Great People. New York: Warner Books, 1995. 143 pp. ISBN 0-446-67150-9, $7.99 (pb).
A collection of over 400 quotations by one of the original African-American quotation compilers, who in 1986 compiled Famous Black Quotations: And Some Not So Famous (Chicago: Sabayt Publications). The new edition has an index and ten sections divided by topic. The subtitle mentions ancient Egypt, indicating coverage in this area; however, only one quotation is derived from ancient Egypt.
Diggs, Anita Doreen, ed. Talking Drums: An African American Quote Collection. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995. 177 pp. ISBN 0-312-14138-6, $7.95 (pb).
A collection of over 600 quotations by African Americans selected for their relevance for the twenty-first century. The quotations are arranged chronologically by section to show progress in thought; bibliographic citations and references are included, though there are no page numbers listed for the citations. The book also lacks an index. A wide range of speakers are quoted, among them LaToya Jackson, Lani Guinier, Luther Campbell, Jackie "Moms" Mabley, and the Reverend Al Sharpton.
Fleming, Robert, ed. The Wisdom of the Elders: Inspiring Reflections from the Heart of African American Culture. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 343 pp. ISBN 0-345-39432-1, $15.00 (pb).
Wisdom of the Elders is one of the best books cited in this bibliography. Unlike some of the other works assessed, its content and design are well conceived and executed. The book is divided into 14 categories that were inspired by the respected African-American historian John Henrik Clarke. Each category, beginning with "Power and Politics" and ending with "Strategies for Change," demonstrates the importance of African-American uplift and broader social change. There is no mystery in the author's intent; he writes in the introduction that "the book is meant to be used as a catalyst for real social change-personal and collective."
The scholar or student of history will not be disappointed with this collection. Every quotation is footnoted; the author has an eight-page historical preface and a commentary preceding each quotation. The book contains an author index.
Johnson, Venice, ed. Heart Full of Grace: A Thousand Years of Black Wisdom. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. 317 pp. ISBN 0-684-81428-5, $21.00.
Drawing on a thousand years of African and African-American wisdom, this collection includes political speeches, manifestoes, proverbs, the blues, the dozens, street snaps, and verses from spirituals. The organization is by theme. Well-known twentieth-century writers and commentators receive the most attention. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the most often quoted (35 times), followed by James Baldwin (32 times). The work is indexed; however, it lacks full citations.
Kamau, ed. Mental Morsels: A Collection of Quotes, Proverbs, and Anecdotes. Orange, N.J.: Bryant & Dillon Publishers, 1995. 208 pp. ISBN 0-9638672-4-5, $10.00 (pb).
Kamau juxtaposes a variety of quotations and proverbs with his own ideas and anecdotes concerning personal empowerment. The quotations contain bibliographic citations, though no page number is given. There is no index.
King, Anita, ed. Contemporary Quotations in Black. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997. 250 pp. ISBN 0-313-29122-5, $39.95.
An updated and expanded version of the classic 1981 work, this collection includes among other enhancements, over 1,000 more African and African Diaspora centered quotations taken from newspapers and magazines published between 1980 and 1996. Many of these new quotations are speeches and excerpts from essays and personal narratives. The new quotations that King has added do change the balance of this work, and in contrast to the 1981 edition, the 1997 edition focuses on the contemporary and includes photographs. The high quality of organization, presentation, citation, and indexing remains the same.
McKnight, Reginald, ed. African American Wisdom. San Rafael, Calif.: New World Library, 1994. 113 pp. ISBN 1-880032-34-1. $12.95 (pb).
This assembly of quotations, part of the publisher's Classic Wisdom series, contains standard quotations (James Baldwin, Coretta Scott King, etc.) in 17 sections. The unique aspect of this volume is its inclusion of many anonymous quotations, some regional and others ethnic. The work also includes full bibliographical information, a list of bibliographic references, and an index.
Riley, Dorothy Winbush, ed. My Soul Looks Back 'Less I Forget: A Collection of Quotations by People of Color. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. 498 pp. ISBN 0-06-270086-3, $27.50.
This collection is the result of a labor of love. Originally published by the author in 1991, the new volume is a comprehensive standard-setting contribution to African-American quotation books. Over 450 subjects are included. The sections are arranged chronologically and included quotations by people from Africa as well as the African Diaspora. Among the Africans prominently featured are Desmond Tutu, Julius Nyerere, and Aime Cesaire, and the book also contains African proverbs. The editor provides a full citation with each quote, a bibliography, a keyword index, and an author or speaker index.
Daily Word Presentations: Meditation/Motivation
Bell, Janet Cheatham. Victory of the Spirit: Meditations on Black Quotations. New York: Warner Books, 1996. 156 pp. ISBN 0-446-67200-9, $8.99 (pb).
A compilation of 146 inspiring quotations, African proverbs, and maxims that explore the spiritual dimension of life. Many of the maxims were written by Bell herself. An index is provided.
Brice, Carleen. Walk Tall: Affirmations for People of Color. San Diego, Calif.: RPI Publishing, Inc. 1994. ISBN 0-941405-51-6, $10.95 (pb). Reprinted, Boston, Mass.: Beacon Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8070-2811-8, $12.00 (pb).
An accumulations of 366 affirmations, short quotes, thoughts from the author, and maxims to conclude the day. Despite the inclusive title, most of the quotations are from African-American sources. An index is provided.
Copage, Eric V. Black Pearls: Daily Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations for African Americans. New York: William Morrow, 1993. 365 pp. ISBN 0-688-12291-4, $10.00 (pb).
Copage, Eric V. Black Pearls Book of Love: Romantic Meditations and Inspirations for African Americans. New York: William Morrow, 1996. 166 pp. ISBN 0-688-13970-1, $10.00 (pb).
Copage, Eric V. Black Pearls for Parents: Daily Meditations, Affirmations, and Inspirations for African American Parents. New York: William Morrow, 1995. ISBN 0-688-13098-4, $10.00 (pb).
Should any one person be called the godfather of motivational, inspiration, or affirmation books in the 1990s, it is Copage. Black Pearls and Black Pearls for Parents have similar formats. They feature quotations, meditations, and recommendations for daily actions, organized by topic. The middle of each page features the affirmation or inspiration, and the axiom or maxim lies at the bottom of the page. Though the citations are incomplete, there is a name/keyword index. In contrast to these two books, Black Pearls of Love is divided into just three sections concerning African-American love and relationships. More visually oriented, this book presents its quotations in a mixed media format, with extensive graphics. The citations, again, are incomplete, and there is no index.
Stewart, Julia. African Proverbs and Wisdom: A Collection for Every Day of the Year, From More Than Forty African Nations. Secaucus, N.J.: Carol Publishing Group, 1997. 192 pp. ISBN 0-8065-1807-3, $12.00 (pb).
A collection of quotes and proverbs exploring the African experience from ancient times (Ethiopian queen Sheba) to the present (Nelson Mandela) for each day of the year in a well-indexed format. Brief bibliographic notes accompany the citations, and the book includes a list of holidays by country, a subject index, a list of the 96 individuals quoted, and a bibliography.
Vanzant, Iyanla. Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color. New York: Fireside, 1993. 371 pp. ISBN 0-671-86416-5, $9.00 (pb).
Yoruba priestess and counselor Vanzant draws on quotations and proverbs from sources as diverse as the late New Age musician Sun Ra, traditional African proverbs, the Bible, and her own wit to formulate a popular handbook of meditations. The book lacks a bibliography or source notes; however, an index is provided to access it contents.
Religion and Theology
Archibald, Chestina Mitchell. Say Amen! The African American Family's Book of Prayers. New York: Dutton, 1997. 356 pp. ISBN 0-525-94215-7, $24.95.
Compiled by the chaplain-in-residence at Fisk University, this book contains more than 300 prayers written by African Americans over the past two centuries. Most of the prayers have been contributed by ministers, and most of the contributors are alive today. However, political leaders, writers, and musicians of the past and present are well represented. The prayers are organized into four sections--faith, community, family, and special events--and divided into specific topics within each section. Below each prayer is a brief note on the writer and the prayer's inspiration; the prayers themselves reflect both Biblical origins and contemporary concerns. Sources for previously published prayers are listed on a page following the text and before the index. The single index combines entries for author, subject, and prayer title.
Edelman, Marian Wright. Guide my Feet: Prayers and Meditations on Loving and Working for Children. Boston, Mass.: Beacon Press, 1995. 210 pp. ISBN 0-8070-2308-6, $17.95.
Well-known children's advocate Edelman offers a collection of thematically organized prayers and meditations that are centered on children. The author explains her choices of quotations and themes in short essays that appear throughout the book. There is also an index of titles and a first line index.
Johnson-Smith, Robert, ed. Wisdom of the Age: The Mystique of the African-American Preacher. Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1995. 122 pp. ISBN 0-8170-1225-7, $12.00 (pb).
As Johnson-Smith explains in his introduction, this books was inspired by Dorothy Winbush Riley's My Soul Looks Back 'Less I forget (New York: HarperCollins, 1993). Wisdom of the Ages offers excerpts from interviews of over 100 pastors, preachers, and scholars representing 18 Christian denominations; the book affirms both the African-American oral tradition and the role of spirituality and religion in the African-American community. The text includes an annotated bibliography and information on each contributor. There is no index.
Gender Specific Presentations
Boyd, Julia. Girlfriend to Girlfriend: Everyday Wisdom and Affirmation from the Sister Circle. New York: Dutton, 1995. 142 pp. ISBN 0-525-93958-x, $15.95.
A compilation of anonymous (first name only) insights and thoughts from African-American women throughout the United States, offering "straight talk" and affirmations in four neat sections, organized by theme. Unindexed.
Cook, Susan D., ed. Sister to Sister: Devotions for and from African-American Women. Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1995. 235 pp. ISBN 0-8170-1221-4, $10.00 (pb).
A collection of prayers/devotions organized into eight themes from 92 African-American women, almost all of whom have ties to New York City; these women reflect on loss, love, failure, and success. The volume provides a thought for the day from the women along with Bible verses. There is biographical information on each contributor and a topic index.
Jewell, Terri L. Black Women's Gumbo Ya-Ya: Quotations by Black Women. Freedom, Calif.: Crossing Press, 1993. 210 pp. ISBN 0-89594-579-7, $10.95 (pb).
This collection is based on poetry and nonfiction writings by authors both famous and obscure. It has an index with biographies of the 350 writers included, African designs, and proverbs from Africa and the Diaspora in both English and their original language.
Johnson, Diane J. Proud Sisters: The Wisdom & Wit of African-American Women. New York: Peter Pauper Press, 1995. 64 pp. Illustrated with designs by Evelyn Loeb and photos. ISBN 0-88088-472-x, $7.99 (pb).
Johnson and Loeb offer a short pocket book of quotations by African-American women, interspersed with photographs of the women and other African-American subjects. The book is divided into seven thematic sections but lacks source notes and an index.
Johnson, Venice. Voices of the Dream: African-American Women Speak. San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books, 1996. 108 pp. ISBN 0-8118-1113-1, $12.95 (pb).
Johnson offers a collection of quotations by 61 African-American women, along with full-color reproductions of paintings, drawings, and mixed media works. The collection offers a nice mix of written and visual dimensions of expression; however, it lacks quotations from the visual artists. Bibliographical citations and biographical sketches accompany the collection. There is no index.
Key, William J. and Johnson-Smith, Robert, eds. From One Brother to Another: Voices of African-American Men. Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson Press, 1996. 242 pp. ISBN 0-8170-1250-8, $10.00 (pb).
Key and Johnson-Smith offer a pocket-book collection of contemporary quotations by Christian men from different professions, reflecting on lessons learned from life. This book, which is designed to encourage and inspire others, contains biographical information on the contributors but no index.
Nikuradse, Tamara, ed. My Mother Had a Dream: African American Women Share their Mothers' Words of Wisdom. New York: Dutton, 1996. 249 pp. ISBN 0-525-94111-8, $19.95.
Basing her work on a survey of more than 100 African-American women, Nikuradse offers inspirational quotations and statements exploring mother-daughter relationships. She juxtaposes the reflections of ordinary women with quotes honoring motherhood from notable figures of the past and present, from Ida B. Wells-Barnett to Halle Berry. My Mother Had a Dream features 17 sections, organized thematically, with more than 500 quotations in all. A citation (though no page numbers) is provided for each entry. Unfortunately, there is no bibliography or index for the volume as a whole.
Saint James, Synthia. Girlfriends. New York: Peter Pauper Press, 1997. 64 pp. Illustrated by the author. ISBN 0-88-88088-229-8, $7.99 (pb).
The author displays her wit and wisdom concerning how African-American women communicate among themselves and with the world in 11 thematic sections. The book is brightly illustrated by the author, a visual artist by profession. No index.
Terry, Rod, comp. Brothers Keeper: Words of Inspiration for African-American Men. New York: Peter Pauper Press, 1996. 64 pp. ISBN 0-88088-050-9, $7.99 (pb).
Terry organizes the thoughts of well-known men (Bryant Gumbel, Dick Gregory, etc.) into eight thematic sections. The book includes an author index that lists each contributor's works as well as photos of the contributors.
Williams, Donna Marie. Sister Feelgood: A Year of Health and Fitness for Our Bodies and Souls. New York: Crown, 1996. 365 pp. ISBN 0-517-88488-7, $12.00 (pb).
This book is designed as a daily call to health and fitness to awaken the individual and communal consciousness. The calendar format provides a daily dose of famous quotations, an inspirational statement by the author, and a short bibliographic note. There is not an index. Although aimed toward women, the book's usefulness is gender-neutral.
Itibari M. Zulu is Director of the UCLA Center for African American Studies Library and the African/African-American subject editor for MultiCultural Review. He is compiling/editing a volume of African and African-American centered axioms, maxims, and quotations.
* Permission to reprint was granted by the author. The article was published in the March 1998 issue of Multicultural Review