ChickenBones: A Journal for Literary & Artistic African-American Themes www.nathanielturner.com 4 Reviews by 4 Strong Black Women Of Loving Black Women By Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd Loving Black Women Reviews I Like It (4 Stars): All Ways/Always Loving a Sister! Loving Black Women is a book of poetry offering ideas to improve the many complicated ways that brothers and sisters love each other. It is also a common sense approach to black politics and white supremacy�overcoming racial discrimination and political domination. This is a thought-provoking read that enlightens and educates us as a people. Larry is a man who loves his heritage and loves black women! �Cheryl Robinson. www.JustAboutBooksTalkShow.com * * * * * Larry Ukali Johnson Redd's book, Loving Black Women left me pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a book of love poems dedicated to black women, but this book is so much more. This compilation of poems also shows a deep love towards motherland Africa and our proud African heritage. I particularly liked: Tribute to All African Women, The Beauty of a Sister, I Know You Know Why, and my favorite: Tree of Life part 1 You are The tree of life You are The source of spice You are The carrier of our black seed You are All we really need You are The source of our civilization You are The mother of our Black Nation The world is rough And full of strife But you, you are Our precious tree of life In a time when black women are thought of and categorized in less favorable terms, this book, "Loving Black Women" is a refreshing, and much need change. �Linda Mayfield-Hayes author of Afroetry; Afrocentric Poetry that Educates & Motivates http://www.afroetry.ws * * * * * TRUBUTE TO A TRIBUTE�Praises are due to Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd's newest literary accomplishment, Loving Black Women." For as an African woman, I am proud of this brother's ability to give explanations as to what removal of black love has inevitably led to, that being self-hate which in turn creates loathing, rejection and violence towards those most like the self. Mr. Johnson-Redd's book should be a must read for those who ask the question, "Why is there so much violence in the Black community?" Mr. Johnson is a true teacher, and instructor of Black life, Black Love. He answers the "question" of the causes of self-destructive violence very well when he states in several of his poems/spoken word selections that there is such a pressing need to reclaim love for each other, to heal, to acknowledge our identity as an African people and for the Black man to pay tribute to the Black woman so that unity of mind, spirit and purpose can be achieved, our very survival depends on this. Mr. Johnson-Redd highlights many positive things in his very flowing, easy to read style, which facilitates the comprehension of several essential concepts. These include the need for the African psyche to become whole, that is to eliminate the fragmentation between the male/female psyche caused by the malevolent influence of White Supremacy. He states that: "this white American racism is the most dangerous force of evil in the world." Yet Mr. Johnson-Redd does not dwell on this premise. Instead, he formulates insights for survival. He yearns for unity within the African Diaspora, and equates love as the foundation for renewing the Black self, family, and nation. His suggestion that there be an 8th and 9th All African People's Congress should be heeded. As an African woman, I can only thank Mr. Johnson-Redd for his respect for and praises to the Black woman. In his expressions of consciousness and gratitude are found hope that we are indeed a people "who can overcome all obstacles." �Mukulla Godwin * * * * * LOVING BLACK WOMEN�One night last week, I was having a very tough time falling asleep so I decided to do some reading and the first book on my list was, "Loving Black Women" by Larry Ukali Johnson Redd. I was expecting to read lots of loving poetry, but the book was a lot more. The way the author wrote about the need to collaborate all the African peoples together to develop a movement of Black self-love was so much more than conscious awakening, it was profound enough to allow my fantasies to travel to Africa and be a part of a worldwide solution against White Supremacy that promotes Black unity, which is tied to the end of racism as a form to oppress Black people worldwide. Author, Larry Ukali Johnson Redd is highly educated due to obtaining his formal university degrees, but his intellect went beyond just skimming the surface because he was able to articulate a seemingly complex problem into a few short pages that encourage movement toward solidarity and racial harmony. The poems in this book were so contagious that I read each one of them and when I finished with his emotional and in-touch mastery of the English language, I was able to finally fall asleep, but this time with a smile on my face knowing that someone really loves and values Black women completely, and come to realize that Mr. Johnson-Redd is an important voice for Black worldwide unity. �Pearl Jr., author of Black Women Need Love Too! http://www.blackwomenneedlovetoo.com/ * * * * * Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd, born 1952 in San Francisco, graduated from Balboa High School in 1970 and entered University of San Francisco and received a B.A. in 1974 in Political Science and Ethnic Studies (African American). His quest for education continued at Golden Gate university in San Francisco where he received a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) in 1976. During his early university days he me Chinwe, a Nigerian woman who was also a student, whom he eventually married. After being disillusioned by the racism encountered while seeking a career in corporate America, he decided to seek alternatives. In 1977 he and his Chinwe moved to Nigeria where he took a four-year appointment as a lecturer of Government at a boy's high school in Benin City. While in Nigeria he appeared on Nigeria Television on many occasions, wrote poetry, and in his leisure time worked on his 1982 novel The Black Expatriate in Africa. In 1981 Larry and his wife Chinwe returned to the US. His wife subsequently developed health problems in 1984 and passed away in may 1985. Since then he has mourned his wife, worked as a community services executive in the OMI community of San Francisco (twelve years), and an elementary and secondary teacher. He is currently a high school site leader in the San Francisco Bay Area. ljredd52@aol.com http://www.geocities.com/journeytothemotherland/index.html Home Related files: Remembering Chinwe History to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry My Beautiful Wife Waiting for You Poetry Tour Journey to the Motherland Loving Black Women Reviews
