Reflections is a concise yet comprehensive presentation of black history. The creative writings in Reflections include biographical sketches of hundreds of famous black men and black women, scientists and inventors, fiction and nonfiction writers throughout black history and current times. Reflections also has creative writings that are satirical, inspirational, political, or romantic. The poems can be considered rhyme verse or free verse, prose poetry, spoken word, and dialogue poetry. They reflect black culture, the humorous as well as the serious.
Having been defined by Larry Neal and Addison Gayle of the Black Arts Movement, the black aesthetic is what many African-Americans consider ethical standards for the Black Community to be. Creative works can demonstrate what is beautiful or unattractive, sublime or comic, evil or good. They are reflections of who we are.
Some persons have said of Reflections that "knowing black history encourages positive self-concepts in African-Americans along with understanding." "Reflections' biographies are wonderful in the pictures they draw of accomplished African-Americans in our history." "I love the poems; some of them made me laugh out loud, love again, and know my history as a black person." "Reflections examines the real issues in our nation and world, especially as they relate to the interests of black people." "This really is a must-read book."
Reflections is suitable for high school students. It is a valuable book for teaching and reading about black history, something which develops a positive African-American perspective and self-image. Reflections provides a view of the accomplishments of black people and what one can be individually, yet within a group.
