by Imani Perry
First published 2021
George Nesbitt chronicles the journey of three generations of his Black family through six decades of American history. His memoir begins in 1906 as his parents leave the South during the Great Migration, seeking better opportunities in the Midwest. Nesbitt details his own battles with racist military officials during World War II, his pursuit of education and professional success during the Cold War era, and his family's ongoing struggle for dignity and advancement. The narrative traces how each generation fought to rise in a nation determined to suppress their progress. From the early promise of Northern cities through the civil rights battles of the 1960s, Nesbitt captures both the achievements his family secured and the faith in integration they eventually lost. Written fifty years ago but never published until now, his account reveals the daily realities of Black life across the tumultuous twentieth century. Through sharp observation and frequent humor, Nesbitt shows how his family maintained their commitment to creating a better world despite relentless hardship.
Genres: 20th-century, african-american, biography-memoir, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-saga, historical-drama, overcoming-adversity
Setting: South, Midwest, America
Period: 1906, World War II, Cold War
360 pages · Hardcover · University of Chicago Press
Content warnings: racism