Have you ever walked into a bookstore and felt like you were a entering a whole new world?
Revolution Books at 437 Malcolm X Blvd in Harlem was another one of my stops during Harlem Week this Summer. What makes this bookstore so special is its dedication to Black authors, poets, and playwrights, including kids’ book written for children in our community.
For me, Revolution Books stands out for the shelves stacked with the history of the Black Panther Party – including the books written by my honorary uncle, namesake, and mentor, Jamal Joseph. Uncle Jamal encouraged me to visit and sent a film crew with me during Harlem Week.
Jamal wrote “Panther Baby,” among other books on those bookstore shelves, and his journey has taken him from the streets of Harlem to Riker’s Island and Leavenworth, to teaching at Columbia University.
My uncle has lived in prison, is a revered filmmaker who helped produce the Emmy-nominated Tupac docuseries, “Dear Mama,” and was nominated for an Oscar in 2008 in the Best Song category for his contributions to the song “Raise it Up.” At Revolution Books and in my life, he is a huge part of our family and our community. He is my rock and my inspiration.
My cousin Tupac said: “In our history, from ancient African civilization, poets went from village to village – that’s how stories and messages and lessons were taught. History Repeats Itself. Being the race that we are, being the strong race that we are, we picked up these positive vibes and started rapping.” I want to honor Tupac and Uncle Jamal with my own writing. Being at Revolution Books, talking to the people who run the store and the community buying books there, I can feel the pull of the past and the future. I hope “Mommy, I Think I Have Diabetes” can take its own place on those shelves and be another step in my proud family heritage.
