Say It Loud: Great Speeches on Civil Rights and African American Identity

by Catherine Ellis (Editor), Stephen Drury Smith (Editor)

Following Say It Plain , a collection of speeches that provides “a sweeping perspective on evolving issues of black identity in the struggle for equality” ( Booklist ).
 
In “full-throated public oratory, the kind that can stir the soul”,  Say It Plain  collected and transcribed speeches by some of the twentieth century’s leading African American cultural, literary, and political figures. Many of the speeches were never before available in printed form ( Minneapolis Star-Tribune ).
 
Following the success of that groundbreaking volume, the Say It Loud!  book adds new depth to the history of the modern struggle for racial equality and civil rights―focusing directly on the pivotal questions black America grappled with during the past four decades of resistance. With recordings unearthed from libraries and sound archives, and made widely available here for the first time,  Say It Loud!  includes powerful speeches by Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Martin Luther King Jr., James H. Cone, Toni Morrison, Colin Powell, and many others.
 
Bringing the rich immediacy of the spoken word to a vital historical and intellectual tradition,  Say It Loud!  illuminates the diversity of ideas and arguments pulsing through the black freedom movement.

Genres: History, Politics, Race, African American, Social, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2010

Reviews

[Cynthia Herod]

The Right to be Heard

Each of these speeches are presented by people who have a platform that could allow them to influence or provide opportunities to help black and poor people in general. Most have devoted their lives in that pursuit. However, what I sometimes wonder who is the expected readership or audience for that speech. Is it for the average person trying to achieve knowledge or understand a point? Or, is it to amplify oneself as one so educated that full understanding is meant for a select few? However, this is a great and historic read.

[Eileen Godbout]

This book was on display at my local library for Black History Month and what a great find it turned out to be. The book is an anthology of 23 speeches delivered by some of this nation’s leading African American political figures. The editors of the book preface each speech with an fascinating “bio” on each speaker. Great read.

[Joe Hall]

Every home should have a read aloud package of books this one is essential

[John Sgammato]

This was very well curated and well-produced. I listened to it as mp3s, and I had no trouble with it.