Our History Has Always Been Contraband

In Defense of Black Studies

By: Colin Kaepernick - editor, Robin D.G. Kelley - editor, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor - editor

Narrated by: Jaime Lincoln Smith

Since its founding as a discipline, Black Studies has been under relentless attack by social and political forces seeking to discredit and neutralize it. Our History Has Always Been Contraband was born out of an urgent need to respond to the latest threat: efforts to remove content from an AP African American Studies course being piloted in high schools across the United States. Edited by Colin Kaepernick, Robin D. G. Kelley, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Our History Has Always Been Contraband brings together canonical texts and authors in Black Studies, including those excised from or not included in the AP curriculum.

Featuring writings by: David Walker, Frederick Douglass, Anna Julia Cooper, Zora Neale Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois, C. L. R. James, James Baldwin, June Jordan, Angela Y. Davis, Robert Allen, Barbara Smith, Toni Cade Bambara, bell hooks, Barbara Christian, and many others.

Our History Has Always Been Contraband excerpts readings that cut across and between literature, political theory, law, psychology, sociology, gender and sexuality studies, queer and feminist theory, and history. This volume also includes original essays by editors Kaepernick, Kelley, and Taylor, elucidating how we got here, and pieces by Brea Baker, Marlon Williams-Clark, and Roderick A. Ferguson detailing how we can fight back.

©2023 by Colin Kaepernick, Robin D. G. Kelley, and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (P)2023 Tantor

What a great way to outline important black history narratives

I am a clinical social worker in Florida and I feel this book is just so important - I love the second section presented as a sampling of different reading materials that one might get introduced to in a black history course. I was able to note some that I’d like to look into reading and learning from more. This book could serve as a reference book for organizing groups, education or book clubs for people who want to deepen their knowledge in black history. Highly recommend!

culture

I like the fact the Colin. Has still been spreading the word an influential in the culture. This just summarizes that we as a people need to continue are quest to be the best..