by Ann DeWitt
Kevin M. Weeks’ Street Life Series 2010 Black History campaign is sure to shock many people this year. As an African-American author of a crime fiction book series, he will be promoting his 3rd novel titled The Street Life Series: Is It Rags or Riches? So for those who will be covering monumental stories in February 2010, here is some additional information to consider.
For every Frederick Douglass, there is an Abraham Lincoln. For every Martin Luther King, Jr., there is a Lyndon B. Johnson. For every Gail Indigo Que, there is a Tommy Richardson.* This year’s 2010 Black History theme is “The History of Black Economic Empowerment,” which includes the celebration of the National Urban League.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History states “In 1910, a group of dedicated reformers, black and white, gathered to create an organization to address the needs of African Americans as they migrated to the cities of the United States. The organization that they created a century ago became what we all know as the National Urban League.” I believe that Martin Luther King, Jr. was speaking of humanity when he said that ”we as a people will get to the promise land” in his “I See The Promise Land” speech. He knew that racial integration meant that everybody would have to come together.
Historical accounts tell us that the American slaves were emancipated into poverty. The road to black economic empowerment is still being paved today. Kevin M. Weeks’ novel, Is It Rags or Riches?, provides the world a snapshot into the 21st century financial challenges of gang members leaving the street life to chase the American Dream. Just as important, this crime fiction book demonstrates how much the Atlanta, Georgia black experience has immensely improved since renowned author Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone With the Wind.
When Kevin M. Weeks’ book cover with fictional character Detective Paul Yeomans is displayed in February for Black History 2010, I pray we rise as a country to Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of “we as a people.” When you see the art drawing of Detective Paul Yeomans, think of Abraham Lincoln, Lyndon B. Johnson, and the other European (white) Americans who joined hands in the Civil Rights Movement. Kevin M. Weeks’ lives daily Dr. King’s vision of “we as a people” because the artists who drew The Street Life Series book covers are also European Americans.
Highlighting the good in humanity, Ann
US President Lyndon B Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King (Civil Rights Act 1965)
The Street Life Series: Is It Rags or Riches? by Kevin M. Weeks
For more information and book reviews, visit www.kevinmweeks.com.
