Introduction

This handbook for young African Americans is intended to give them a feeling of self-worth by chronicling many of the contributions of African Americans to American history and to the American way of life in an easy-to-read format.

Historical Context

The history of blacks in America has been badly distorted by the motion picture industry and textbooks. Newspapers generally print most of the bad news about blacks and often under-report positive news.

Impact of Negative Information

This negative information adds to the anger that many young blacks harbor due to their economic plight, and feeds the feeling of hopelessness that they perceive as their future.

Purpose of the Book

This book lets them know that they deserve more, based upon their forefathers' contributions to America in war and peace and their inherent ability. It then attempts to guide them into a better economic way of life through understandable steps that are attainable.

Emphasis on Education and Reparation

It stresses education as a basic tool for advancement as well as a reparations goal.

Economic Steps

It then goes through economic steps that can start to decrease the un-American economic gap that should not exist.

Main Theme

Its main theme is that they are the progeny of forefathers who have accomplished a great deal, and they owe it to their forefathers to live up to that heritage.