Finding the perfect holiday gift for the Afrocentric on your holiday shopping list could be a difficult task (especially if you don’t know what Afrocentric means, in which case you should probably find out before shopping for him or her)This guide will offer you ten suggestions for gifts to give you an idea of what to look for during your shopping time!
1.Once Upon a Time . . . When We Were Colored (DVD/VHS). This heartwarming movie tells the tale of one Black family growing up in the South during the time of sharecropping.Watch a young man grow up amidst a loving family, hard times, and facing life as a young Black man in a world that seems to cast him down every chance it gets!
2.W.E.B. DuBois’The Souls of Black Folk. This book is DuBois’ personal representation of the “problems” of being Black in with a distinct autobiographical flare sure to entice the Afrocentric-or any Black person, who is proud of, or even struggles with, their identity as such-this holiday.It can be a difficult read, but it is also well worth the effort to get through it.
3. Roots. There is, of course, Alex Haley’s famous book, a lengthy but worth while read. There is also the famous movie rendition of this work; the movie itself is over 500 minutes (that’s around nine hours) with all six parts combined, and a DVD copy compatible with most DVD players is hard to find, meaning you’d probably need to be willing to accept an old school-that is, VHS-version. There is also the option of buying both the book and DVD/VHS collection as a gift set; combined, they are bound to make a memorable holiday gift!
4. In Praise of Black Women, Vol. 1.Subtitled Ancient African Queens, this book is particularly well suited for the female Afrocentric, though its contents prove an uplifting and empowering read for all Black people. As the title suggests, this is only the first in a series of this book-four in all-celebrating the worth, power, beauty, and impact of Black women through the ages, from Ancient Africa to modern times. It is an elaborate work-over four hundred pages-including oral history, detailed drawings, and more. Amazon has the book listed for around $40, but it usually runs for around $60.
5.Daughters of the Dust (DVD/VHS). I originally planned to list this gift option to be purchased as either a DVD or VHS exclusively; however, I would also recommend, especially for those who love to read, checking out the book of the same title written by Julie Dash. While the movie was released in 1991, the book’s release came around six years later-at least as far as my research showed-and serves as an extension to the well-done film. The film itself examines beautifully the African-based Gullah culture. In considering this film and/or book, you may also want to consider purchasing Dash’s Daughters of the Dust: the Making of an African American Woman’s Film, which is Dash’s account of the laborious process that went into the making of the film.
6.The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. This is a must have collection of poetry by an author known for his celebration of the African-American culture, history, and lifestyle. The book is made up of over seven hundred poems, if I’m not mistaken, by this famous poet. Hughes’ poetry will appeal to anyone interested in understanding more of Black culture . . . and even jazz lovers; Hughes’ poetry is a beautiful example of the Harlem Renaissance style of Jazz poetry.
7.Malcolm X set. Yet another gift set idea, this is based around the life and history of Malcolm X. The first, and obvious, recommendation for any Afrocentric person is the book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley. There is also a wonderful film encompassing the life of X with a stellar performance by Denzel Washington as the famous Black leader. The film, entitled Malcolm X, is available on DVD in a special two disc collector’s edition with deleted scenes and a documentary. (Note: there is also another Malcolm X film entitled Malcolm X: Death of a Prophet, which features Morgan Freeman in the role of the famous activist.)
8.Africans in America. This book is an amazing work examining the place of Africans in during the time of slavery. It serves as an accompanying work to the PBS special-which is available on DVD and narrated by Angela Bassett-which reexamines common conceptions of the system and lifestyle of slavery.
9.The Color Purple (DVD/VHS). This amazing film, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Oprah Winfrey and based on Alice Walker’s famous novel, is simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. It tells the story of a woman named Celie whose entire life is marked with tragedy and abuse. The film is an empowering account of a woman’s ability to find comfort and love among friends who help her find her inner strength. It is a beautiful visual examination of Walker’s womanist novel that can be watched again and again!
10.Africa since 1800.This book by Roland Oliver and Anthony Atmore examines the changes in African culture, lifestyle, and more beginning in the 1800’s and leading up to modern times; the fifth edition is the most recent, and covers up to 2003. It is a must read for anyone interested in African culture and modern African issues that should be a concern for all.
This guide is just a launching-off set of ideas from which you can begin to find your own gift ideas for the Afrocentric person(s)-or studiers of Black culture in general-on your holiday shopping list. There is a wide variety of books, films, music, and more to choose from . . . Happy hunting
Reference:
- Check out Amazon for all your holiday gift giving needs.Find out more about Afrocentricity from these sites:The Afrocentric ExperienceHinson’s Afrocentric Resource Guide
