In celebration of Black History Month, the Department of African American Studies is spotlighting influential books that delve into Black history, civil rights, and the African American experience.
These works provide valuable insights into America’s rich and complex history. This campaign features titles by AAS faculty and other prominent authors. While we acknowledge that it is impossible to capture every essential work, this list serves as a starting point. Join us in honoring the contributions and resilience of Black Americans through these significant literary works.
Passionately Human, No Less Divine: Religion and Culture in Black Chicago, 1915-1952 by Wallace D. Best
Wallace D. Best’s "Passionately Human, No Less Divine" explores the role of religion in shaping Black life in Chicago from 1915 to 1952. As Black communities migrated and built new lives in the city, churches and spiritual movements became spaces for activism, cultural expression, and resilience in the face of racial and social challenges. Through a rich historical analysis, Best highlights how faith was more than a source of worship—it was a foundation for political action and community strength, leaving a lasting impact on Black urban life in America.
The Matter of Black Living: The Aesthetic Experiment of Racial Data, 1880–1930 by Autumn Womack
Autumn Womack's "The Matter of Black Living" examines how Black communities from 1880 to 1930 used data, literature, and photography to resist racial oppression and craft their narratives. At a time when racial statistics were used to justify inequality, Black thinkers and artists transformed these tools into instruments of self-definition and activism. Womack highlights how creative and intellectual strategies shaped the struggle for justice, offering a powerful lens on the intersection of race, data, and Black cultural history.
Women Warriors of the Afro-Latina Diaspora by Marta Moreno Vega, Marinieves Alba, and Yvette Modestin
"Women Warriors of the Afro-Latina Diaspora" amplifies the voices of Afro-Latina women who have long been at the forefront of cultural resistance and social justice. Through powerful personal narratives, Marta Moreno Vega, Marinieves Alba, and Yvette Modestin explore the intersections of race, gender, and identity, revealing the struggles and triumphs of women who challenge oppression and redefine leadership. This collection is a testament to the enduring impact of Afro-Latina activism in shaping Black and Latinx histories.
Creating Black Americans: African-American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present by Nell Irvin Painter
"Creating Black Americans: African-American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present" by Nell Irvin Painter provides a sweeping overview of African American history, from slavery to modern-day struggles for equality. Painter examines how Black Americans have shaped their identity and fought for freedom, constantly redefining what it means to be Black in America. A vital resource for understanding the enduring legacy and evolution of Black history in the United States.
Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks
Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism" by bell hooks is a foundational text that examines the dual oppressions of racism and sexism Black women have faced throughout U.S. history. From slavery to the modern feminist movement, hooks critiques the erasure of Black women’s voices while advocating for a more inclusive vision of liberation. A must-read for understanding the intersections of race, gender, and justice.
The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America by Khalil Gibran Muhammad
"The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America" by Khalil Gibran Muhammad examines how crime statistics were weaponized to cast Black Americans as inherently criminal. This powerful work uncovers how these narratives influenced policies on policing, segregation, and mass incarceration—shaping the racial disparities that persist today. A critical exploration of history that continues to impact Black communities across the U.S.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
"The Autobiography of Malcolm X" is a gripping account of one of the most influential figures in American history. Told in his own words and shaped by Alex Haley, Malcolm X’s life—from his early struggles to his evolution as a leader—reflects the resilience, intelligence, and revolutionary spirit that defined the fight for Black liberation. His insights on race, justice, and self-determination remain as urgent and relevant today as they were in his time.