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 magazin