Bettye Collier-Thomas

(My rating is for the short story "A Christmas Party That Prevented a Split in the Church" by Margaret Black, first published in 1916.)

I found A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories while I was searching for (you guessed it!) Christmas stories written by and featuring Black Americans. Stories in a genre(s) other than contemporary romance, as holiday-themed contemporary romance is already easy for me to find.

While this goes without saying for some readers, it doesn't for others, so I'll say it anyway: The fact that literary works like the ones in this treasury are written by and about Black people doesn't mean that only Black people should read them.

All righty, now.

Some of these vintage works are rather heartwarming. And in a social sense, the collection serves as a reminder that Black Americans have historically been present in multiple classes, including the Black elite and upper middle classes.

Granted, not all of these stories are strictly "joy to the world" themed. While they all share Christmastime in common, several of the writers' works are somber or even tragic, reflecting the injustices and dangers Black Americans have faced. Even so, the collection also reflects much more, not only in regard to multiple classes but also in the stories' themes of romantic love; marriage, children, and family relationships; giving and receiving gifts; prayer and faith; and engaging in community.

My favorite story in the collection is "A Christmas Party That Prevented a Split in the Church," a humourous holiday tale that actually had me laughing out loud. Like, "Huh. So, this story was written more than a century ago? Goodness. Church folk stay bein' church folk. Down through the generations, no less."

Not that enough in the story wouldn't easily apply to communities in general, not just to church folk. But still.

I've indeed found a treasure, here.… (mehr)

Update: having spent my own money on this book, I finally took some time to read it. What a moving anthology of African American stories for the Christmas season. I acknowledge the privilege I have benefited from as a white person, and thank the good people are early reviewers for it up for audiences of all races, creeds and colors. What was most profound was the true misery or heartbreak or just overall general horrible conditions or treatment blacks received, and still don’t receive equal treatment. I strongly suggest adding this into the rotation of grinches, Rudolph, and Frostys. It’s only right to have the holiday celebrate what everyone experiences.

I was very excited to receive the notice that I was getting this book in November. As a librarian at a Historical Black College and University, right around Christmas time, I had plans for showcasing the book, the lessons, even making a display out of it, should I received the okay from the author and publisher. It's not the end of January and I have received no word back from the author, publisher, NOR HAVE I RECEIVED THE BOOK.

I hate it when this happens, and do not care if the bad publicity affects the book. When you say you are going to participate in this awesome book exchange, you should stick with it. 1 STAR.… (mehr)