Books by Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd

My Deepest Affections Are Yours / Journey to the Motherland  / History To Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry / Loving Black Women

History to Destiny Through Afrocentric Poetry

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Loving Black Women Reviews

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1

Loving Black Women  
WeAreFearless RATING: 4 Stars

Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd, Author/PoetAmen-Ra Theological Seminary Press
Release Date: May 2006 Paperback List Price: $14.00 ISBN: 0-9674226-6-3

 

Loving Black Women  starts as an essay and the book ends with poetry. The author starts the essay with two basic themes: improving the way African Americans see each other and to have nurturing realistic and wholesome relationships as brothers and sisters. Johnson-Redd goes on to say that this must be done despite racial discrimination, political domination and white supremacy.

Along with preserving the relationship between brothers and sisters, the essay transitions into a global discussion. Here the author begins to suggest that Africans are spread throughout the United  States, Caribbean, Central and South America, Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan, India and other areas of the Middle East and Asia. Since Africans have a dominant presence around the globe, there should be  a dialogue to battle racism, oppression and genocide.

The majority of the essay is a discussion about Black on Black killing. He makes a contrast between the violence that is taking place in the Sudan and what happens in the community where he is from, San Francisco. He suggests that people don't understand the
continent of Africa and seldom see Africans conducting modern business in a modern environment. The essay is a great historical and informative overview of what African Americans face in the United States and what Africans endure on the continent of Africa.

After the essay, Johnson-Redd delights the readers with poetry. He has an unquenchable love for the African woman and sees her as the most beautiful creature on earth. He also has wonderful pictures to go along with the poetry. This book is clearly written for those
who delight themselves in the beautiful African woman, and it enlightens one on political issues that Africans across the glove have in common.
—Martha Kimbrough, WAF Book Reviewer

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2

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

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3

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:

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

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4

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

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5

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.

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