In Our Own Image : Treasured African-American Traditions, Journeys, and Icons

by Bass, Patrik Henry; Pugh, Karen

• ISBN13: 9780762410750
• ISBN10: 0762410752
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Perseus Books Group

Summary

The first visual document of black social and cultural history in America from World War II to the present,In Our Own Imageis also a fascinating scrapbook that recounts simple, eloquent stories about home life, family reunions, worship, weddings, funerals, barbeques, barbershops, beauty parlors, nightclubs, civic organizations, and celebrations. The unique recollections of African-Americans from a variety of backgrounds and age groups accompany more than 160 images from personal and archival collections, with such poignant ephemera as programs from cotillions and fashion shows, restaurant menus, movie posters, even ticket stubs. The authors have woven material from university and museum collections in Detroit, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta into a narrative photo book that forms a warm, loving record of African-American community, traditions, and family life in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Author Biography

Patrik Henry Bass is an award-winning journalist who has written and edited for numerous publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and Essence, where he is currently Books Editor. Bass is also a well-regarded instructor on features magazine writing. Raised in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Bass lives in Brooklyn, New York. Artist and photographer Karen Pugh, a 15-year veteran of the fashion industry, was the first African-American Creative Director on the Polo/Ralph Lauren Women's Design team. She has also designed and illustrated for Revlon, Old Navy, The Limited, and Celine in Paris, France. Born in Neptune, New Jersey, Ms. Pugh currently resides in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Dedications and Acknowledgements	4	(5)
Preface	5	(2)
Introduction	7	(8)
Family	15	(38)
Home	17	(14)
Celebrations	31	(10)
Diversions	41	(12)
Community	53	(72)
Worship	55	(10)
School	65	(16)
Work	81	(16)
Civic Duty	97	(14)
Nightlife	111	(14)
Heroes & Headliners	125	(16)
Epilogue	141	(1)
Afterword	142	(2)
References	144