The Community of Self

by Na'im Akbar

This revised and expanded version of The Community of Self is one of Akbar's six books which address the issue of a holistic human psychology and an increased understanding of the unique psychological funtioning of African-American in particular. The Community of Self has been adapted as stage play, used as a guide for education of African-American children.. applied in workshops for social services and mental health providers, and used as a personal development and self-help book by thousands of people worldwide.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help

80 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1985

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

[Ashley Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good psychology book for self promotion. Turn off the outer voices to focus on your own inner voice.

[Theodore Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book many times and I fill ALL men and women need too read this book!!!!

[Nathalie Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing starter guide for the unsuspecting or distracted African-American. It served me as a refresher. All African-Americans should have this on their bookshelves!

[Clifford Onehundredd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Na'im Akbar's book The Community Of Self is one of his best books. I'm glad I took time to read it. It reads similar to a self-help book and raises awareness to important influences within our lives as Black/African Americans. I would say this book is much more in depth than his book "Know Thyself" which is also an excellent book. This book will allow you to perceive from a collective perspective as well as an individual perspective. It's amazing that this book came out before Know Thyself and was revised sometime later. I feel as though both the latter book and this one communicate with one another. If you want an essential read on Black Psychology...this is the book for you. It has helped broaden my awareness much like Know Thyself did. Amazing read!!!!

[Born Uhuru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another short title by Naim Akbar. Easy read designed for the most basic level of reading. This isn’t a very detailed book on the psychology that we (African) people need but it’s a nice nice opener for those who seek to dig deeper into African literature. Highly recommend all of Naim Akbars.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book on healthy Black psychology.

[iAM Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A textbook of self. This book breaks down the parts of self that evolve with us and are ultimately the keys to self mastery.

[Kim Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Na’im Akbar brought out some profound insights that we do an injustice to society if we simply focus on individualism rather than collective community responsibility.

[Sweet Throat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick read from a black psychologist and spoke to the ways we need to grow ourselves and the balance/effect that comes with the journey..

[Wayne Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic

[Desera Favors · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I read this book over a decade ago and it meant something to me then, but reading it again this time, meant something more. As a mother I take what he expressed about the education of our youth to heart.

It was validation to continue home schooling and allowing our child to explore nature and real life situations. We hope to teach him how to grow food, raise live stalk, build shelter and live off the land in general. As well as the importance of family and uplifting other youth.

I decided to read it again and now my son is a 12 year-old! What was most intriguing on this read is the concept of self-concept which is still lacking in our communities. We mimic others rather than build are own way of life as a collective. I believe we can get there it will just take ingenuity. Our youth give us hope.

[Akash Takhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. The authoe correlates psychology with everyday things to show why we do what we do.

[Mark Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of his writing.