Defending the Spirit: A Black Life in America

by Randall Robinson

Randall Robinson's Defending The Spirit is a personal account of his rise from poverty in the segregated south to a position as one of the most distinguished and outspoken political activists of our time. In 1977, Robinson founded TransAfrica, the first organization to lobby for the interests of African and Caribbean peoples. TransAfrica was instrumental in the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in South Africa and the reinstatement of President Aristide in Haiti. Robinson's thoughtful and provocative memoir paints a vivid picture of racism in the hallowed halls of Harvard, where he went to law school, as well as the corridors of power in Washington, D.C. He also recounts in fascinating detail his trips to troubled African and Caribbean nations; more than anyone else, he has raised awareness of the problems in those countries. Defending The Spirit also gives a devastating commentary on America's foreign policy endeavors in African and Caribbean nations, and an impassioned call to African-Americans for new leadership and activism to fight racism all over the world.

Genres: Anti Racist, Nonfiction, African American, Africa

Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

Reviews

[scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much worth reading. I found it to be honest, thoughtful, and informative, but also disjointed and not without holes. The narrative is quite personal. The mix of emotion and reason frequently left me asking questions of the author; he didn't answer, he kept moving on to the next chapter...