This February, we at ALPAKA are feeling especially ready to celebrate, listen and learn during Black History Month. If you are looking to make sure you celebrate in a big way too, we have come up with an epic list of books, documentaries, films, and podcast recommendations to help continue our collective education, not only during this month, but throughout the entire year.
Books
The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin
This national bestseller by American novelist and activist James Baldwin was instrumental in galvanising and lending a voice to the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement that was just beginning to emerge into the mainstream in 1963. Consisting of two beautifully sharp essays outlining Baldwin’s perspective on the place of race and racism within mainstream American society, The Fire Next Time
still remains one of the most influential and poignant books of its time.
The Colour Purple, Alice Walker
This iconic, Pulitzer Prize winning book has become one of the most beloved and revered pieces of literature of all time. The story follows the life of Celie, an African American woman living in early 20th century Georgia. Her life is filled with violence and pain, but it is also a life of resilience and love, miraculously shown in the face of such hatred and isolation. Celie’s story is one we should all know, if only for the beautiful and heartfelt way in which Walker has written it.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X with Alex Healy
This monumental piece was published in 1965 and is the product of several in-depth interviews between journalist Alex Healy and Malcolm X. The book details Malcolm X’s philosophy of black pride, black nationalism and pan-Africanism. Whilst Haley’s input is both necessary and imperative to the structure of the book, this is still very much Malcolm X’s story, and one that we believe everyone should be acquainted with.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
In the timeless memoir, I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing, Angelou details her own personal … Read the rest
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