Saving American Beach
Listen to Ekua Holmes read the book Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy.
Then, watch the second video to hear Angela Joy read her book aloud. This will give you a closer look at the illustrations, and Joy talks about why she titled the book Black is a Rainbow Color.
Watch Ekua Holmes read Black is a Rainbow Color.
Watch Angela Joy read Black is a Rainbow Color.
There are many references to moments and people in history within the book. Click on the linked words below to learn more.
"Side-walking in spit-shined shoes" is a reference to the Montgomery Bus Boycott that happened after Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955. As a protest, citizens walked for 382 days instead of taking the bus.
"Black is the robe on Thurgood's back" is a nod to Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court. Earlier in life, he was an influential member of the Civil Rights Movement.
"Hush Now, Don't Explain" is a lyric in the song "Don't Explain". Two of the most famous performances are by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.
"Black are dreams and raisins" is a reference to Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem".
"Black are the birds in cages that sing" is a reference to the book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
"Black was the man who gave the world his dream" is about Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his I Have A Dream Speech.
"Black are the stones bearing witness to prayer" shows the images of four women who were leaders in the Civil Rights Movement.
Maime Till-Mobley
Cover image is from www.amazon.com and was found by searching the book's title.
Book page images are screen shots from Angela Joy's reading of Black is a Rainbow Color