"Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans" by Roland Laird with Taneshia Nash Laird, Illustrations by Elihu "Adolfo" Bey

Themes: African American History/African American Culture/U.S History/ Enslavement/Civil War/ Civil Rights/U.S.Politics

Elementary/Middle School/ H.S.

 "Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans," fully utilizes the graphic book form to depict centuries of brutal United States history, continually endured, challenged and transformed within African American culture.
This book is deep. It's also meticulously researched by a team of historians, written and exquisitely illustrated to convey the nuances of scholarship that generally do not make it into the history textbooks. Within a few panels, Harriet Tubman, portrayed with tears rolling down her face,betrayed by her husband's infidelity, decides to become a leader along the Underground Railroad. "THIS RIVER LEADS TO FREEDOM," reads the voice bubble above Harriet Tubman's head within the final panel. It is a stunning capsule of information, a great cinematic moment upon a page.
"Still I Rise" is remarkable for depicting U.S political history from Jamestown to the 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama.  It is also remarkable for recognizing the contributions of persons creating the history that shaped the political, economic, cultural and artistic landscape of the United States. Madame C.J. Walker, whose beauty products provided employment for hundreds women was the first female self-made millionairess in the U.S. After years of being ignored by the male business world, she stands up and speaks at the 1912 National Negro Business League Convention when Booker T. Washington asks for questions after his final statements:

   "I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. I was promoted from there to the washtub. Then I was promoted to the cook kitchen, and from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations. I have built my own factories on my own ground. My name is C.J. Walker, and my question is, what more must I do to be recognized as a business leader, Mister Washington?"

Her question led to Madame Walker becoming the keynote speaker of 1913, although her question of recognition remains. How do we recognize historical truths and how are they taught? I believe "Still I Rise," with its title taken from a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou, will inspire readers to  reach deeply into more creative and comprehensive views of African American history,which is,inseparably,  the history of United States.

Reviewed by Susan Kanga