Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery

by Na'im Akbar

Are African-Americans still slaves? Why can't Black folks get together? What is the psychological consequence for Blacks and Whites of picturing God as a Caucasian? Learn to break the chains of your mental slavery with this new book by one of the world's outstanding experts on the African-American mind.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Race, History, Social Justice, Self Help, Sociology

95 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Dr. Na'im Akbar has been acclaimed by Essence Magazine as "one of the world's preeminent Psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology." Akbar has served as Associate Professor at Norfolk State University, was Chairman of the Morehouse College Psychology Department and is currently on the faculty in the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. . He has served on the Boards of Directors of a variety of important civic and professional organizations, including several terms on the Board of the National Association of Black Psychologists, which he was elected president in 1987. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Black Studies and for eight years was the associate editor of the Journal of Black Psychology.

Akbar is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology and has received many honors for his progressive and landmark contributions to his specialized studies of the psychology of the African American. Among these are the "Annual Member Award" and recognition as a "Distinguished Black Psychologists" by the National Association of Black Psychologists for his outstanding scholarship and research in African Psychology.

The published volumes of Dr. Akbar's works are excellent illustrations of the unique and special approach he has taken to the role of an activist scholar. His volumes are targeted to a mass audience. Though the concepts that he presents are highly sophisticated, they are presented in a concise and simple way that readers with minimal education and possibly no familiarity with mainstream psychology will be able to comprehend the ideas from his books and increase their understanding of themselves. Though his scholarly status is unquestioned this area of his work is targeting a much broader audience than would likely encounter his works prepared for advanced students, professional colleagues and for the dialogue of the academy. He feels very strongly that truly relevant ideas should be available to as wide an audience as possible in order that they may study these ideas and apply them to their lives and to their communities. The measure of success for this aspect of his scholarship becomes the number of people from various walks of life that have been able to study these ideas, change their lives and their world.

Reviews

[Ngozi · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing. opened my eyes. EVERY black person should read this! you will most likely remained mentally enslaved if you don't.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, during my stockholm syndrome phase. I also enjoy thinking about how individual psychology is passed on intergenerationally and how that affects the society as a whole, and vice versa. FASCINATED.

[Chris Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a weapon that the devil doesn't want our children to read

[Zane M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important books to help you understand the psychological toll that slavery and its impact on black culture.

[Paris Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep thoughts on this. Highly reccomend it.

[Clifford Onehundredd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The revised version to the 1984's book Chains And Images Of Psychological S̶l̶a̶v̶e̶r̶y̶.

Breaking The Chains Of Psychological S̶l̶a̶v̶e̶r̶y̶ offers a complete mental map of liberation to all who wish to break away from the MYTH of Black inferiority and self-abasement. This book provides a broad awareness to how the effects of s̶l̶a̶v̶e̶r̶y̶ and similar coercion has affected the psyche of nearly all African-Americans today. It also outlines how to go about taking steps to identify possible patterns and rid yourself of these causes. I highly recommend this book for those looking raise their awareness and self-value as a Black person. This is one of Dr. Na'im Akbar's most precious gifted books alongside his book Know Thyself . His book works wonders in bringing awareness and value to Black etiquette. Read and pass on to other generations, this book's contents are transcendent of any and all generations

[Kev · Rating 5 out of 5]

powerful

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound perspective on modern day assumptions.

[Kyle Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book !
Psychological Legacy of Slavery by Na’im Akbar

Good book - Although I wish it went deeper. My first book by Dr. Akbar so perhaps he goes deeper in one of this other books. Top 3 ideas the stood out to me.
1. Most African American’s still associate work with slavery. They were forced to work for centuries with no compensation for someone else’s benefit. Now we can work for our own def, families, community. But he didn’t say how to get to the second mindset. Sounds like he just brought awareness.
2. “A sense of humor brings necessary balance to life , a but a lifetime of humor blinds one to life.” Love this quote
1. Token african become funny to maintain favor with his colleagues . Humor use to allow favoritism/survival
3. Touched on leadership in the black community and colorism

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good things in here, also some religious confusion.

[Rishav Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author makes great points in this book about how salvery has impacted the black minds and restricted them psychologically to be independent. This can also be associated with some other cultures as the impacts of the inhumane conditions provided by the europeans and americans in the past has also to some extent enslaved the minds of other cultures ( when i say this ofcourse i dont mean everyone in a particular culture). I might not agree entirely with the solution that the author provides but still I would say that this book is a must read and worth the time.

[Ro]

Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.... for everyone!

[Akosua Hobert]

Full of very good information. Very informative. Packed with historical facts.

[Nikki C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Wayne Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful, must read book for any student of Black Studies.

[Darrick Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started my journey

[Born Uhuru · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should have been the first book that I read when I started to heavily read again, it’s such an easy and short read. It’s really a starter pack book for your mental liberation. Na’im Akbar gives you pointers (i.e. 👉🏾📚 and celebrating yourself). It’s exactly what Garvey suggested in the early 20th century. He gives credit to modern Africans who HAVE started the literary process of breaking the chains like Diop, Frances Cress Welsing, John Henrik Clarke I also wouldn’t forget people like Frantz Fanon and Walter Rodney.

Na’im Akbar touched my soul with his suggested theory that it takes courage to even START to free your mind but loneliness would soon follow. I’m exactly at this point in my life where it’s testing my patience. I finally believe it’s not worth freeing someone who doesn’t want to break those chains.

I’ve been reading and educating myself for years and sometimes I did give up (hence giving up reading heavily before and following unrighteous paths) sometimes I still want to give up and not say anything and just break my own chain. But then that’s why we we’re still at this stage. Too many people going up the hill and too few coming back down.

We really need an exclusive way of organizing

[Yvon Numa]

one of the greatest books I have read recently on pan-africanism. these concepts are not new but yet they are articulated well that when reading it begins to start a shared epiphany. Breaking the chains is not a manual to start doing so but yet a catalyst to start to understand the african american plight in america and/or beyond.

[Karen Lomax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is a short book, it is NOT a short read, and I believe that is by design. You must digest the content of this book slowly. It is too important to just gulp down. Everyone should read this book because you just may have a few "chains" from slavery on your mentality that you didn't know about or maybe you've known but didn't realize the chains are still not yet broken.

[Reka Beezy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my people need to read this. He said some thing I couldn't hang with, like Bill Cosby being a great mind or some ish like that o_O, but overall, it was very informative. This Stockholm syndrome over my people is too strong. We must break free!!

[perez carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good read really open my mind to or should say change the way i saw not only myself but the world around me

[James Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penetrating explanation of the historical/psychological factors handed down from generation to generation and formulated and instilled by white supremacy.

[Debi Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an eye opener. I've read this book twice.

[Karen]

* Understanding Oppression: African American Rights (Then and Now)

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book in trying to break the mindset of oppression.

[Avenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational and well organized read. Read it for class and it was not disappointing.

[Farzin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Na'im Akbar is a great writer and even more amazing speaker.

[Singodsuperior · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every Black person should read.