 Anthony Browder has accomplished countless feats in this lifetime. I met him in the late 1990’s in Oak Park, which was his childhood home. He was visiting his family. He moved to Washington DC , where his Institute of Karmic Guidance (IKG) is located. He has learned and leveraged his knowledge to teach others by tearing down walls of misinformation within a single page of any of his books. His best selling book, “From the Browder File” vol 1 has transformed millions through his thoughtful prose and strategic topics. This book is less than 200 pages and is partitioned into 13 essays each of which are readable in one sitting at a time. This format has yielded maximum success because it is manageable given today’s busy schedules. The following list includes books that he or his daughter have written. This post also contains personal commentary on experiences my bookstore, Afriware Books, Co have had with the author over the years.
When he first walked in my bookstore Afriware Books, Co, I didn’t know who he was. He was unassuming, and yet very inquisitive. He immediately asked me about a newsletter I posted by the door for people to read. He asked where I got my images from. Honestly, I didn’t recall. This was back when we would physically cut out an image from a magazine or book and paste or tape it into the document we wanted. Though I didn’t remember, he informed me that it came from HIS BOOK! I was taken aback and embarrassed, thinking O noooo, that’s plagiarism, is he going to arrest me? He smiled and the rest is history. The great scholar, educator and most recently archeologist and I have been friends and remained in contact throughout the years. Browder’s “From the Browder file: Strategies for Africans in America vol. 2” was written in the same format as vol. 1 with more contemporary examples given. Browder’s ability to repackage historical information to reach today’s audience is part of the secret to his longevity. He has been one of the most consistent clear voices of his generation. We are most fortunate to have hosted him for book signings numerous times throughout the years. Not only has he produced a body of work that fleshes out important contributions of Africans in world history, but he also has produced DVD’s which provide commentary on contemporary movies from an African centered lens. He has analyzed movies like, “Black Panther,” “Avatar,” “Empire,” and many more. Addressing what seems to be a new fangled psychological gadget through experienced African eyes is always welcome to truth seekers. It is this dedication and ability to stay centered on the mission at hand that makes him an ever-ready battery of information.  Page from "From the Browder File vol. 2, Strategies for Africans in America" depicting all continents with people on the phone using AT&T network except Africa where a gorilla is depicted. AT&T employee magazine 1992 where Nzingha Nommo, owner of Afriware Books, Co was working. The second volume of From the Browder File is personally prized by me because it documents an important picture from my former employer, AT&T. In 1992, the company published a cartoon in the employee magazine that was disparaging to African Americans and yet the company’s management and white liberals were totally shocked on why we were in an uproar. At the time, I was president of the Affirmative Action Committee and we discussed the cartoon in detail. It was a defining moment for me because I thought that the most educated members of white society would certainly understand our outrage. When we found ourselves having to explain and defend our position on why using a gorilla to depict those in Africa was insulting was beyond my comprehension. Every other continent (pictured below) had people dressed in their traditional attire, but when it came to Africa, all they could think of was to depict a gorilla to represent the population? That did it for me, and I was so happy to see that Browder had documented this for the world to see. The beating of Rodney King which also occurred that year along with this insensitive cartoon was my George Floyd moment. After that, I left corporate America and began my journey into uncovering the truth about our heritage.  The truth has transformative power, and Browder has wielded his literary sword for generations starting with his daughter Atlantis. They wrote a book together when she was just 8 years old which has been revised into a book called, “Reflections on My First Trip to Africa.” Uncovering our true history is best viewed from a child’s perspective because of their curiosity and sensitivity to patterns. For example, Browder’s daughter points out that the obelisk (tekhen) that are seen in Cairo, Egypt is also found close to her home in Washington, DC. This important detail may have been overlooked by an adult out of sheer familiarity with the structure. A book like hers turns out to also be useful for adults who are in the beginning stages of their cultural journey. Historical artifacts have been mislabeled and taken out of context to the point that they become “hidden in plain sight” as Browder often repeats in his lectures. Being exposed to one of Browder’s books is like getting your hands on a blueprint which identifies your location with respect to a source or root along with all the connecting branches. The cultural picture is made clear and is well defined for further exploration. If you are ready to make your way into the deep waters of history, then “Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization” is a must read. Years of seemingly disjointed events are all brought together under one roof with dates and references. It is ideal for use in high schools and even comes with a study guide. This book, as I discuss in another post called, “The 7 principles of Maat) is the doorway to an African pandora’s box of mystery waiting to be acknowledged and discussed. Browder doesn’t stop with historical artifacts when uncovering the truth. He even reveals musicians like Otis Blackwell who preceded Elvis Presley, but did not get the credit for his creative genius. It is all connected, and Browder makes it easy to understand that what is revealed is the significance and importance of our collective contributions. Once you understand what you have done, then you know what you can do… and so much more.
When the movie “Avatar” came out many pointed out the overused “white saviour” character therein and dismissed the entire movie because of it. Not missing a beat, Browder swooped in and filtered out that part and found a bounty of jewels to leverage on our behalf. He even wrote a book on it called, “Avatar, A Historical and Cultural Analysis,” that details all the “Easter Eggs” that were left. He also has a lecture he did that is available by special request. Instead of throwing out the “baby and the bathwater,” Browder works around, extracts, and recontextualizes what is given and quilts them together for better use and understanding. As a critical thinker should do, he raises the bar and takes the “toy” out of the baby’s hand, makes the correction on its intended use, and explains where it fits on an historical timeline. Years of research allows him to do this with ease, and it is refreshing to watch him put the puzzle pieces together with great excitement and competence. Top 3 Recommendations
Final ThoughtsAs always, I appreciate that you have read through this blog post. I hope that you’ve become curious to read more books by Anthony Browder. We ask that you consider purchasing your books from our Black owned bookstore, Afriware Books, Co. If there is a title you’d like to purchase that is not mentioned here, or could not be found on the website, feel free to email us at: afriwarebooks@afriwarebooks.com BLOG NOTESComments are closed.
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