No Death By Unknown Hands Minnette Coleman Michael Bruce 9781453709948 Books
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'Death by Unknown Hands' is how a US coroner would officially record a death by lynch mob. The 1950s was a watershed period for such atrocities in the Deep South. It was still entirely possible for a colored person to be lynched, for colored houses to be burned down, and for colored workers to lose their jobs, but these were no longer automatic responses to an event which outraged the white community - they were certainly possible, there were even quite probable, but they were no longer guaranteed. It was therefore a time when the colored community held its breath to see if the justice system could impose itself on the anarchy of the lynch mob. 'No Death By Unknown Hands' is the simple story, told in all the complexity that is its due and based on true events, of how a brave, gentle, concerned and God-fearing man who ministered to the colored community of Atlanta in the 1950s was accused of the rape of a white woman that never actually took place, was tried for his 'crime' and was executed. And it is the story of a young girl growing up watching in great confusion the way the elders in her community wrestled with the political issues of truth and justice, those elders including her honorable and concerned journalist father and her strong, beautiful and loving mother. "This is an engrossing tale about black folks in the South during a specific time in American social history. I really liked the authentic narrator/voice of this young lady growing up and coming to grips with her idea of what is right and what is wrong . I highly recommend this read for young and older readers alike,"Brenda J. Young, Ph.D., Argosy University.
No Death By Unknown Hands Minnette Coleman Michael Bruce 9781453709948 Books
This should rank right up there with the greatest coming of age stories ever written. The author captures the world of Willie, growing up as a rather privileged Black in Atlanta during the early 1950's. She is blessed with a beautiful mother, who loves her children fiercely and a loving father who is committed to seeing his children grow up using their talents. Willie's mother strives to be the perfect woman, although so much of what she strives for is set by whites, especially the hair which must never be nappy! However, when pushed to her limits she reacts to the unfair ways she has always lived. Willie's father is the well-educated newspaper editor who encourages his daughter to write, but within the confines of what is "proper" for the colored population at the time. The racial strife that each character encounters makes them stronger, but at the same time weaker because of their fear of speaking out against the horrendous injustices they endure. Since the entire community can suffer if the wrong words are spoken or written, self-censorship is the only way they can survive. Willie tackles these ironies along with the issues of first love, girlfriend strife and rebelling against her parents with grace and fervor. The characters in this book are very firmly fleshed out, and the reader cares for them all. There are sweet moments, tragic moments, funny moments and joyous moments. Small details are contrasted with a broader sense of the times. Although the ending is perfect, you will be wishing for a sequel.The only reason I downgraded this was because of one over-used phrase - she/he "cut his/her eyes". It got old really fast. Otherwise this is a must-read for any thinking person who enjoys a good story about a child learning about the adult world.
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Tags : No Death By Unknown Hands [Minnette Coleman, Michael Bruce] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 'Death by Unknown Hands' is how a US coroner would officially record a death by lynch mob. The 1950s was a watershed period for such atrocities in the Deep South. It was still entirely possible for a colored person to be lynched,Minnette Coleman, Michael Bruce,No Death By Unknown Hands,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1453709940,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction Literary,Literary
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No Death By Unknown Hands Minnette Coleman Michael Bruce 9781453709948 Books Reviews
Set in late 1940s Atlanta, this is the coming of age story of a young African American 9th grader, Willie Jenkins, who aspires to be a journalist. A minister, Reverend Bailey is wrongly accused of raping a white woman. Although he has an alibi, no one can come forward without terrible repercussions from the KKK, and the white political powers that be. This is a heart breaking story. The writer deftly carries the reader into the "colored community" of that time, a world filled with richness, color and love, in spite of the devastating injustices they all face at the hands of the white community. In this story the white characters, not all unsympathetic, appear faded, illusive, almost invisible against the richness of the world of Willie Jenkins. A novel for all audiences and particularly for young audiences. I give it 5 stars. Free with my kindle subscription.
"Death by unknown hands" is, in the mid-20th century South, code for lynching. The Klan is active and feared among the Blacks of Atlanta, GA. The title suggests one theme of the novel that a judicial execution is a step towards civilization, as opposed to still-frequent mob violence. The novel examines the psychological effects of rigid segregation and the aspirations of the Blacks (who almost always call themselves "Coloreds") to justice and equality. There is little of the vehemence and fire that would come a few decades later.
It is easy to picture the narrator as one of the future leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Willie, however, is but a young girl, bright and beautiful girl, finishes elementary school and begins high school in turbulent times. She emulates her father, the editor of the local newspaper. She reflects on falling in love for the first time and the day-to-day conflicts of daily life. Having her hair straightened biweekly is the bane of her existence. Visiting The Paper and performing odd jobs is what she lives for. She meets the man who is executed only once, and then briefly, but his aura inspires her to fight for his life. The adults all, sadly, warn that the Whites will not let his innocence prevail. Coloreds must accept the basic rules of society -- or suffer dire consequences. It takes Willie a long time to accept this limitation.
Life in the Colored community is depicted in all its variety, with joy and enthusiasm prevailing over gloom. Most folk live well. Willie's family is prosperous. There is also a wretched ghetto nearby, whose horrors are grimly depicted. Willie ventures once into the truly resplendent neighborhoods of affluent Whites and depicts their attitudes towards her people.
Minnnette Coleman has written a splendid, fluid, vibrant book. The characters are well-crafted. There are few surprises and no melodrama, which is refreshing. A story can be simply and elegantly told. Given the resurgence of racism in the United States in recent years, this is an important book for anyone with an open mind to read. It is also entirely enjoyable.
When the book started, I half-wondered if this might turn into another 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. The first few chapters, while slow and a bit clumsy, nicely set the scene and then came along the seizure of the preacher - a particularly deft touch and very in keeping with the KKK's program of deliberately destablising the 'colored culture'. This should be good.
Unfortunately the book then lost its way, becoming a YA-style romance with the odd mention of the preacher and possible Klan retributions. Worse still, instead of increasing the racial tension which must have existed, this was really only introduced by reference. In fact, the preacher's execution became so incidental that it was almost intrusive when it happened. Pity.
Another pity is the poor editing. Words missing, bad spellings (and I don't mean in the dialogue) and repetition. It's more careless than criminal - a bit akin to how a first draft might turn out.
I do commend the author on having 'colored' criminals - a single and simple statement which quite correctly puts the whole human race in one big box. It definitely lends the book more depth and substance.
Assuming that the errors are corrected, I think that the title should be changed and the book promoted as a YA Romance.
This should rank right up there with the greatest coming of age stories ever written. The author captures the world of Willie, growing up as a rather privileged Black in Atlanta during the early 1950's. She is blessed with a beautiful mother, who loves her children fiercely and a loving father who is committed to seeing his children grow up using their talents. Willie's mother strives to be the perfect woman, although so much of what she strives for is set by whites, especially the hair which must never be nappy! However, when pushed to her limits she reacts to the unfair ways she has always lived. Willie's father is the well-educated newspaper editor who encourages his daughter to write, but within the confines of what is "proper" for the colored population at the time. The racial strife that each character encounters makes them stronger, but at the same time weaker because of their fear of speaking out against the horrendous injustices they endure. Since the entire community can suffer if the wrong words are spoken or written, self-censorship is the only way they can survive. Willie tackles these ironies along with the issues of first love, girlfriend strife and rebelling against her parents with grace and fervor. The characters in this book are very firmly fleshed out, and the reader cares for them all. There are sweet moments, tragic moments, funny moments and joyous moments. Small details are contrasted with a broader sense of the times. Although the ending is perfect, you will be wishing for a sequel.
The only reason I downgraded this was because of one over-used phrase - she/he "cut his/her eyes". It got old really fast. Otherwise this is a must-read for any thinking person who enjoys a good story about a child learning about the adult world.
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