Soul Food for the Soul Sistah

Book Synopsis

Perhaps one of the most dynamic and important issues to arise in the beginning of the new millennium is the progress of African American women globally. Why are we so interested in her? What might she represent and where is she headed?

These questions and more are being asked not only by social scientist and social activist, but by these very same women who themselves have chosen to become a more powerful voice to be reckoned heard at the dawn of a new era.

History has seen this woman arise as "Lucy" in the Olduvai Valley of Tanzania literally as the quintessential mother of the human race. She has been the queen-mother of Africa that stood equally besides her pharaoh and revered as goddesses in the pantheons of Europe and Asia .She has also been that old tired domestic who didn't want to give up her seat on a bus and accidentally sparked a national movement as well as be the silent force behind the force of many male leaders.

But, out of all of this perhaps the most amazing phenomenon has occurred more recently during the last half of the last century. This was the epoch struggle for the African American woman in a sense to "arrive" in the world. During this stretch she has not only survived but succeeded against numerous odds. The question to ask is at what costs to herself, her spirit or her heritage has she had to endure to get there?

This will is the same that was vested in those African mothers on board slave ships who much rather throw their children over board and die free rather than end up living life as a slave and then would toss themselves over as well .The remnants of this same type of sacrifice has endured down the ages to this time as well.

By all calculations of history this woman should not have survived the shark-infested waters that ferried her to the " new world".

How will her role change at the crux, the very infancy of the millennium? Is the role of that which was perpetrated in the home-family base now capable of being fulfilled on a more globalistic scale?

By etching out a profound model of excellence in many roles played already throughout time and on different stages; this woman has heralded the times with tremendous confidence and truth. This is exemplified in the courage of "sistahs" like Dr. Mae Jamison, Venus and Serena Williams, Alisha Keys, Dr. Condoleeza Rice, National Security Advisor to the President, Maxine Waters, Barbara Jordan, Phyllis Wheatly, Patricia Harris, Shirley Franklin, Toni Morrison, Susan Taylor, and numerous more.

But as we realize these strides a question as profound still swirls in our mist. Will an equal and just African American male counter-part exist in parity with this woman? As the new era progresses we will see more African American women attend and graduate college as well as assume professional degrees and executive positions that might be disproportionate to the African American male. What consequences will these statistics impact the next stage in the dramatics of world history?

This book is merely a tribute to the history women of African descent have made to elevate themselves, their community and the world by keeping things real and together. Let's continue to give poetic justice to the ancestors as well as those keeping faith alive by choosing to do the simple basic things that aren't always on the 6 O'clock news, or make international magazines, or newspapers headlines, but by simply keeping our hope alive.

This is to you!