JUMP UP AND SAY: A Collection of Black Storytelling

by Linda Goss

A collection celebrating the rich heritage of African-American storytelling from around the world includes folklore, stories, fables, songs, and poems by such writers as Maya Angelou and James Baldwin, along with lesser-known artists. Original. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Short Stories, African American

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 1995

Reviews

[Fadillah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still cant believe i found this gem on a treasure island of Big Bad Wolf Book Sales last year. Prominent black writers and authors like Zora Neale Hurston, Amos Tutuola, Chinua Achebe, James Baldwin, Sonia Sanchez, Maya Angelou , just to name a few has contributed some of their stories, poems and songs in this collection. I might not remember all the stories but i can see the resemblance of certain things of Asian and African & West Indies culture and practices throughout some of the stories shared in the book. For example, the concept of veil is similar with ‘terbuka hijabnya’ in Malay or having a third eye as most asian culture would call it. This veil or third eye is the ability to see the supernatural being and it can be a blessing or curse depending on how that individual perceive it. The story further explain on how to get rid of this ability especially if your kids has it. The book was divided into 8 parts and contained more than 70 stories. I will only reviewed 1 story from each part but bear in mind, majority of the stories are great and amazing. I only choose 1 because of the word count limit.
1. The breaking day has wisdom, the falling day experience : Moral Tales
- How the leopard got his claws by Chinua Achebe : The dog decided to betray the leopard and made itself a king only to run away at the end and pledge to be human company in exchange of the protection from the leopard.
2. I will never be any service to anyone as a slave : Stories about freedom.
- Get on board and tell your story by Gloria Davis Goode : It analyzed the spiritual stories used by slaves to exhange their messages and codes with each other. This is important to especially when they are planning to escape from their master. For example, Jesus meant freedom, Home meant the north, freedom, train meant group of escapees and so many phrases that has been decoded with their double entendre.
3. When the heart overflows, it came out through the mouth : memories and stories about family and friends.
- Thank You M’am by Langston Hughes recalled a conversation of the snatcher (a young boy) tried to stole a bag from a woman. The boy was being scolded for his attempt and it led a meaningful conversation happened between them at the end of the day.
4. Whats the 411? You got it going on : Rhythm talk.
- A frog went a cruzin by Morton Brooks - A Hip Hop version of an old tales of “A frog went courtin”.
5. If im lying, im flying : humorous tales.
- Why women always take advantage of Man by Zora Neale Hurston told a story of Man asking God to grant him extra strength so that he can overpower his wife. His wife pleaded with God to take the strength back but God cant undo it. Devil than helped the woman to solve the problem by instructing her to ask God 3 keys. God granted it. Little did the Man knew that woman will forever has a key to kitchen,bedroom and cradle.
6. As restless as the tempestuous billow on the boundless seas : stories, songs and poems of protest and change.
- Martin Luther King : A story poem by Charlotte Blake Alston : A retelling of Martin Luther king for Kids especially in highlighting racism and racial discrimination.
7. If you holler too loud, you will wake up the ghosts : Ghost tales and superstitions.
- Brother anancy and brother tiger by Charlene Welcome Hollis is a reminder for all of us why picking up a stranger is never a good idea especially if its from burial grave.
8. Now that takes the cake : soul food and memories.
- Mary Mcleod Bethune : Memories by Dorothy L. Height - A sweet potato pies recipe and how it became one of the major income source to keep the school open.

[Melissaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great summary of this collection of all forms of storytelling:

Praise Poem

Amiri Baraka/LeRoi Jones 


Walk through life

beautiful more than anything

stand in the sunlight

walk through life

love all the things 

that make you strong, be lovers, be anything

for all the people of 

earth.


You have brother's

you love each other, change up

and look at the world

now, it's

ours, take it slow

we've long time, a long way

to go,


We have 

each other, and the

world,

don't be sorry 

walk on out through sunlight life, and know

we're on the go

for love

to open

our lives

to walk

tasting the sunshine

of life.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda is Philadelphia's Official Storyteller who preserves and shares the cultural traditions of Africa with new and diverse audiences. If you ever have the chance to attend a storytelling event with Linda or Keepers of the Culture don't miss out!!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

TAKEN FROM DUST JACK: ... family stories and moral fables, ghost stories and tales, rap and rhymes, memoirs and songs, and stories and poems about freedom, protest, and change.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book of stories. It allowed me to jump around and choose what I felt like reading. The stories were very descriptive. Some were a different representation of stories I had read before and I enjoyed the different perspective they provided.