Edited by Meri Nana-Ama Danquah
As relevant today as when it was first published in 2009, here is a book of essays that asks: What does it mean to have, or to love, a black body? Taking on the challenge of interpreting the black body's dramatic role in American culture are thirty black, white, and biracial contributors—award-winning actors, artists, writers, and comedians—including voices as varied as President Obama's inaugural poet Elizabeth Alexander, actor and bestselling author Hill Harper, political strategist Kimball Stroud, television producer Joel Lipman, former Saturday Night Live writer Anne Beatts, and singer-songwriter Jason Luckett.
Ranging from deeply serious to playful, sometimes hilarious, musings, The Black Body contains essays that explore myriad issues with wisdom and a deep sense of history. Meri Nana-Ama Danquah's unprecedented collection illuminates the diversity of identities and individual experiences that define the black body in our culture.
With contributions from Elizabeth Alexander・Stephanie Covington Armstrong・Tonita Austin-Hilley・Anne Beatts・Annie Burrows・Kenneth Carroll・Nzingha Clarke・Meri Nana-Ama Danquah・Werner Disse・Lynell George・David Goldsmith・Hill Harper・Susan Hayden・Carolyn L. Holbrook・Kenji Jasper・Brent Jennings・ A. Van Jordan・Steven Kotler・Joel Lipman・Philip Littell・Jason Luckett・Susan E. Matus・Tajamika Paxton・S. Pearl Sharp・Kimball Stroud・Greg Tate・Kenny White・Gail Wronsky・Yolanda Young
