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Homecoming: The Story of African-American Farmers
A photographic essay which offers a striking and moving tribute to African-American farmers. This is the companion book to Gilbert's PBS documentary, HOMECOMING.
Homecoming traces the history of black farmers from Reconstruction to the present, as they struggle to survive today. Homecoming pays tribute not only to the devastating losses they have suffered throughout the century, but also to the legacy of hope that endures in the story of African-Americans working the land.
"Revisiting the unbearable hardships encountered by my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents as they sought to survive the inhuman sharecropping system of the post-Civil War South—a system in many ways more brutal than slavery—my heart breaks again. But reading Homecoming's account of our ancestors' determined humility, obdurate courage, and fierce pride in and love of the land, my heart is healed. I see why there is such a thing as ancestor worship. I could not love my sharecropping ancestors more if I had created them myself. That black Southerners still love nature and revere the earth is the legacy of a people whose innate elegance and dignity was always expressed in essentials." —Alice Walker
"An extraordinary gift. . . . A moving, lyrical, and important a tale of land, labor, love, and loss." —Farah Jasmine Griffin
"Moving, highly informative, and valuable." —Barbara Neely, author of Blanche Cleans Up
Homecoming traces the history of black farmers from Reconstruction to the present, as they struggle to survive today. Homecoming pays tribute not only to the devastating losses they have suffered throughout the century, but also to the legacy of hope that endures in the story of African-Americans working the land.
"Revisiting the unbearable hardships encountered by my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents as they sought to survive the inhuman sharecropping system of the post-Civil War South—a system in many ways more brutal than slavery—my heart breaks again. But reading Homecoming's account of our ancestors' determined humility, obdurate courage, and fierce pride in and love of the land, my heart is healed. I see why there is such a thing as ancestor worship. I could not love my sharecropping ancestors more if I had created them myself. That black Southerners still love nature and revere the earth is the legacy of a people whose innate elegance and dignity was always expressed in essentials." —Alice Walker
"An extraordinary gift. . . . A moving, lyrical, and important a tale of land, labor, love, and loss." —Farah Jasmine Griffin
"Moving, highly informative, and valuable." —Barbara Neely, author of Blanche Cleans Up
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
193 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2000
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 9, 2021
Gilbert, Charlene, and Eli, Quinn. Homecoming: The Story of African American Farmers.
Homecoming traces the history of black farmers from Reconstruction to the present. This book is chronologically written to teach young reader’s the significance of land and farming for African Americans. Utilizing specific detail in the text capture the authenticity of the post- Civil War in the South. This book describes hardships sharecroppers faced in this time period with accurate details. The simple but educational text in this book teaches young readers is the harsh realities African Americans encounter. Homecoming paints a positive picture of ancestors being determined to show pride for their land. Having expressed the family emotions and love for sharecropping through great grandparents, grandparents and parents teach readers working through a struggle with family can work for the best.
Homecoming traces the history of black farmers from Reconstruction to the present. This book is chronologically written to teach young reader’s the significance of land and farming for African Americans. Utilizing specific detail in the text capture the authenticity of the post- Civil War in the South. This book describes hardships sharecroppers faced in this time period with accurate details. The simple but educational text in this book teaches young readers is the harsh realities African Americans encounter. Homecoming paints a positive picture of ancestors being determined to show pride for their land. Having expressed the family emotions and love for sharecropping through great grandparents, grandparents and parents teach readers working through a struggle with family can work for the best.
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October 15, 2020This title came up when I was looking for a book recommended by the GirlTrek leaders - season 2, day 4
April 20, 2016
Beautifully written and great overlook of the history of Southern farming community. Especially the personal story made the story better
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews