The Word, edited by Marita Golden, takes you on a journey of transformation as Africa American writers discuss how the power of reading and writing changed their life. The book includes over ten interviews categorized into three parts: Reading Beyond Borders, Reading For The Mind, and Reading For The Soul.This book touches the heart of any reader or writer, but most importantly prompts reflection for someone who may have never valued the power of words in this way.
In the introduction, Golden says, “Reading and writing are the twin pillars of modern civilization, endeavors that exists as a kind of oxygen necessary for the transformation of both individuals and societies.” She explains the intimacy of reading and writing, and the power within words, revelations, sharing stories, and embarking on new paths as a result of such affects on human communication. She then takes the reader on a personal account of how writing and the power of it all have affected her life.
As you flip through the book, each interview is introduced with a picture and background on the writer, however, once you begin reading the interviews, you immediately feel like you are childhood friend recounting these visions, experiences, and emotions with them. It becomes very personal. You begin to question events in your life, when you first fell in love with a black character in a book, learned the power of journaling, or what your favorite books are.
My favorites include:
Ellis Cose, an editor for Newsweek, recounting his adolescents growing up in Chicago disinterested in English class until one teacher helped provoke his curiosity. She allowed him to write on the Chicago Riots, which resulted in a book in high school. It was a voice, a way for him to express himself like never before; it was the launch of his never-ending relationship with writing and journalism.
Nathan McCall recalls how his experience in prison forced him to learn himself in ways he never had to before. He writes, “You get in touch with aloneness in a level that you never had to deal with before.”He goes on to explain how one day he grabbed Native Son by Ralph Ellison off the book cart, and since then his life changed. His reading sparked a personal connection with characters, as he explored a new world of African American literature and intellectualism resulting in his own writing.
Having grown up in a Nigerian home, where reading was the norm, Chimamanda N. Adiche’s love for reading and writing had been cultivated since she was young. However, her earliest readings where influenced by colonialism until she read Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart and realized it was possible for people who looked like her to be in books. Reading helped bring the world into focus for Adiche, and send her on a quest to explore the truths behind her heritage and passion.
The Word is an example of how words move off the page, stirring emotions, lifting up spirits, reliving experiences, and exploring revelations. Each interview captures your attention and magnetically pulls you in. The uniqueness of everyone’s personal relationship with reading and writing forces the reader to evaluate their own personal experiences.
When was the first time you fell in love with a book? How did you feel afterwards?
What does reading give you? Has it sparked a new turn in your life?
How has it opened your view to the world or saved your life?
When did you first value African-American literature?
What books would you recommend to others?
As you reflect on these questions, I invite you to explore The Word, and embark on the journeys of others.
Marita Golden is an award-winning author of more than ten books of fiction and non-fiction. She is the co-founder and president emeritus of the Hurston/Wright Foundation located in Washington, DC.Her previous book, It’s All Love is a collection of pieces on African-American love.
Sounds like an interesting book. Love the cover too.