Description
Harrowing and insightful. . . . A profound work about the Black experience and white Reviews (starred review)
This work is vitally important and essential to understanding the magnitude of the impact of racism and Journal (starred review)
Gripping, thought-provoking, and personal, I Am Nobodys Slave will inspire discussion and action in response to its powerful message of inner healing and social
A 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist and former Wall Street Journal writer exhaustively examines his familys legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience, in this riveting memoira soulful, shocking, and spellbinding read that blends the raw power of Natasha Tretheways Memorial Drive and the insights of Clint Smiths How the Word is Passed.
I Am Nobodys Slave tells the story of one Black familys pursuit of the American Dream through the impacts of systemic racism and racial violence. This book examines how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thriving in America, influenced each generation, and how they succeeded despite these challenges.
To their suburban Minnesotan neighbors, the Hawkinses were an ideal American family, embodying strength and success. However, behind closed doors, they faced the legacy of enslavement and apartheid. Lee Hawkins, Sr. often exhibited rage, leaving his children anxious and curious about his protective view of the world. Thirty years later, his son uncovered the reasons for his fathers anxiety and occasional violence. Through research, he discovered violent deaths in his family for every generation since slavery, mostly due to white-on-Black murders, and how white enslavers impacted the familys customs.
Hawkins explores the role of racism-triggered childhood trauma and chronic stress in shortening his ancestors lives, using genetic testing, reporting, and historical data to craft a moving family portrait. This book shows how genealogical research can educate and heal Americans of all races, revealing through their story the story of Americaa journey of struggle, resilience, and the heavy cost of ultimate success.
Author: Lee Hawkins
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Amistad Press
Published: 01/13/2026
Pages: 368
Weight: 0.6lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.20w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780062823175
Language: English
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