[author's note:  actually this version of the blog is the one I asked AI to create from my original.  I was hoping that I'd get more sales than I got since 2021 when I wrote the original.  What do you think?  The jury is still out. Enjoy!]

Who Really Started the Montgomery Bus Boycott? The Untold Story
The 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 was a groundbreaking moment in the Civil Rights Movement—an extraordinary display of resilience, strategy, and community organization. While names like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are widely recognized, the true mastermind behind the movement operated behind the scenes.

The Hidden Architect: Jo Ann RobinsonMost people assume the boycott began spontaneously after Rosa Parks’ arrest on December 1, 1955. However, the foundation for this protest was laid years in advance by an unsung hero—Jo Ann Robinson. As president of the Women’s Political Council (WPC), Robinson meticulously planned for the moment when Montgomery’s Black community would take a stand. With access to a mimeograph machine at Alabama State College, she and her team printed over 50,000 leaflets overnight, spreading the word like wildfire.
This level of organization was extraordinary. In today’s world, it would have required a viral social media campaign to reach that many people overnight. Robinson’s strategic brilliance ensured that when the moment arrived, Montgomery’s Black citizens were ready to act.

The Road to Revolution: A Timeline of Key EventsUnderstanding the Montgomery Bus Boycott requires looking beyond December 1, 1955. Here’s a closer look at the pivotal events leading up to it:

Before the Boycott

• 1948: Vernon Johns, an outspoken advocate for Black economic independence, becomes pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL.
• 1949: The WPC is founded by Mary Fair Burks, a Black woman traumatized by her own wrongful arrest. This group began documenting racial abuse on Montgomery’s buses.
• 1950: Jo Ann Robinson, after experiencing racial abuse by a bus driver, becomes president of the WPC and strengthens its mission.
• 1954: The WPC sends a formal letter to Montgomery’s mayor, warning that Black citizens were prepared to boycott buses if mistreatment continued.

The Spark Ignites

• March 1955: Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old student, refuses to give up her seat on a bus and is arrested. However, leaders do not pursue her case due to her pregnancy.
• April 1955: Arelia Browder is arrested for the same reason, but her case receives little attention.
• October 1955: Mary Louise Smith is also jailed for defying bus segregation laws.
• December 1, 1955: Rosa Parks is arrested. Unlike previous cases, Parks is already well-known in Montgomery’s activist circles, making her an ideal figure to rally around.
• December 2-4, 1955: Jo Ann Robinson and the WPC distribute 50,000 pamphlets urging Black citizens to boycott the bus system.
• December 5, 1955: Parks is found guilty, and the boycott begins. The newly formed Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) names Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as its leader.

The Lasting Impact & Books to Deepen Your KnowledgeThe Montgomery Bus Boycott wasn’t just about transportation—it was about dignity, economic power, and strategic resistance. This movement became the model for future civil rights protests and proved the power of collective action.
To explore the full depth of this historical moment, check out these must-read books:

• "The Montgomery Bus Protests 1955-1956: Strategic Planning of the Highest Order" – Wally G. Vaughn
• "Montgomery Bus Boycott: Women Who Started It" – Jo Ann Gibson Robinson
• "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story" – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• "Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott" – Dee Romito
• "Bus Ride to Justice: Changing the System by the System" – Fred Gray

Why This History Still Matters Today
The lessons of Montgomery resonate today. The power of grassroots organizing, economic leverage, and strategic planning are still vital tools for social change. Recognizing Jo Ann Robinson’s contributions reminds us that history isn’t just shaped by those in the spotlight—it’s built by those working tirelessly behind the scenes.
​
Shop the Best Books on the Montgomery Bus Boycott at www.afriwarebooks.com

Want to dive deeper? Visit our website to explore these books and more. Discover the real stories behind the movement and empower yourself with knowledge!

[author's note to reader:  honestly folks, this is the second iteration of this blog post.  I asked AI to rewrite the original with all the special bells and whistles.  I had to find out if it would do better regarding the bottom line - sales.  the jury is still out.  What do you think?  Here's the original written in 2021.]  

Was Hannibal Black?
Hannibal Barca, the legendary African general, led an army of approximately 90,000 men, 12,000 horses, and 40 elephants across the Italian Alps in 217 B.C.E. to battle the Romans. His mission was threefold:

• To maintain control over the mineral-rich lands in the region,
• To fulfill a promise made to his father at age nine to go to war with Rome, and
• To challenge Roman colonialism and imperialism.

Hannibal hailed from Carthage, located in present-day Tunisia, on the African continent. During his time, territories such as Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, and parts of Spain were considered African provinces. Given this geographical and historical context, one might assume Hannibal’s African identity is undisputed. However, his ethnicity has been a topic of debate, with some scholars reluctant to attribute his military genius to his African heritage. This post explores the controversy and provides key resources—books and art—that shed light on Hannibal’s identity.

Researching Hannibal’s Identity
With 30+ years of experience as a bookseller and access to an extensive collection of historical literature, as well as insights from dedicated warrior-scholar customers and rigorous online research, I approach this topic with careful analysis. Below are four major sources supporting the argument for Hannibal’s African identity:

1. Hannibal – The African Warrior by Jacob Abbott (1803–1879), a historian who wrote extensively about Hannibal and Rome.
2. The Young Carthaginian by G.A. Henty (1832–1902), an English novelist and war correspondent.
3. Minted coins featuring an African-looking figure on one side and an elephant on the other.
4. A 1707 artwork referencing the son of a Russian general possibly named after Hannibal Barca.

Books on Hannibal
For deeper exploration, here are essential books that discuss Hannibal’s ethnicity and his military campaigns. African American authors are marked with an asterisk (*):

• Hannibal's Road to Rome: Ancient History and Modern Culture
• Hannibal: The African Warrior
• World’s Great Men of Color, Volume I *
• New Dimensions in African History by Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan & Dr. John Henrik Clarke *
• The Destruction of Black Civilization by Chancellor Williams *
• African Glory by J.C. deGraft-Johnson *
• Black Man of the Nile and His Family *
• Before Color Prejudice: The Ancient View of Blacks
• Hannibal Barca: The True History
• History of Rome by Max Cary & H.H. Scullard
• The Young Carthaginian by G.A. Henty

For a visual perspective, watch this video showcasing the challenging terrain Hannibal’s army navigated while crossing the Alps with elephants.

Historical Context: The African Identity of HannibalGiven Hannibal’s origins, it seems logical to assume he physically resembled other North Africans of his time. He lived before Roman conquest and fought tirelessly for over a decade on behalf of his people. Could a military strategist of his stature not reflect the African heritage of his homeland?
Carthage, situated in the northern tip of Africa, was exposed to the sun’s full force, much like ancient Egypt. Just as Egyptian tombs reveal African-featured inhabitants, it is reasonable to infer the same for Carthage and Hannibal’s lineage.

The Whitewashing of Hannibal’s LegacyThe ongoing debate over Hannibal’s identity is not an accident—it is an extension of cultural appropriation, or what some call "historical whitewashing." Hannibal’s brilliance, courage, and strategic genius have been acknowledged for centuries, so it is no surprise that various groups have attempted to claim him. Yet, outright erasure of identity is a form of theft—one that has been systematically perpetuated over time.
Jacob Abbott, in Hannibal: The African Warrior, contrasts the Carthaginians and Romans, describing them as “two distinct races.” He notes:
“They spoke a different language; they had a different origin; and they lived on opposite sides of the same sea.”
This statement supports the argument that Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, was distinct from the Romans. Abbott further describes the Romans as possessing:
"A refined and superior organization, which, in its development, gave rise to a character of firmness, energy, and force, both of body and mind, which has justly excited the admiration of mankind."
Meanwhile, he attributes “sagacity” and “wealth” to the Carthaginians, but not the genius or strength he reserves for the Romans. Here, Abbott’s racial bias is evident. He paints Rome as inherently superior, while the Carthaginians—an African people—are subtly diminished.
This language reflects the same racist ideologies Dr. Chancellor Williams exposed in The Destruction of Black Civilization—ideologies that obscure historical truths to fit Eurocentric narratives.

Visual Evidence: Contradictory Portrayals of Hannibal
The British Museum houses prints from the early 19th century, such as:

• Print by John Chapman (1805) British Museum Link
• Print by Charles Turner (1802) British Museum Link

These images depict Hannibal with Roman features, contradicting Abbott’s description of Carthaginians as a separate race. If Carthaginians were truly distinct from Romans, why do these depictions not reflect that distinction?
Additionally, many modern representations of Hannibal have been debunked. A scholarly article, Barbarians Rising Critique and the Lost Representation of Ancient North African General Hannibal, critically examines these distortions. I encourage readers to explore this further.

Conclusion: A Legacy Rightfully ClaimedThe debate over Hannibal’s identity is not about speculation—it is about reclaiming historical truth. The deliberate attempts to obscure his African heritage fit a broader pattern of erasing Black contributions to world history. Hannibal Barca was an African general, a military genius, and a leader whose legacy belongs to the African continent.
By examining texts, coins, and historical biases, we uncover the real Hannibal—one whose legacy remains an undeniable source of pride for Africa and its diaspora.

Restoring Africa’s Legacy: The Timeless Impact of Children of the Sun
A Groundbreaking Work That Stands the Test of Time
In 1918, amid the global upheaval of the Spanish flu pandemic, George Wells Parker authored one of the most influential books on African history: Children of the Sun. Over a century later, this seminal work remains a critical tool for challenging long-standing historical distortions and reaffirming the undeniable contributions of African civilizations to world history.
Black Classic Press, Inc. has rightfully brought attention to this masterpiece, ensuring that Parker’s voice continues to disrupt the false narratives propagated in mainstream historical discourse. His work is a direct challenge to Eurocentric revisionism, boldly advocating for the correction of textbooks that erase the truth about Africa’s past.

Unveiling Hidden Histories: The First Sentence That Captivates ReadersThe very first sentence of Children of the Sun sets the stage for a powerful and poetic exploration of Africa’s rightful place in history:
“In the morning of the world, when the fingers of Love swept aside the curtains of Time, our dusky mother, Ethiopia, held the stage.”
This evocative opening signals the depth of Parker’s commitment to restoring Africa’s prominence in world history, drawing the reader into a compelling narrative that spans continents and civilizations.

Exposing the Erasure of African ContributionsParker meticulously presents historical evidence that African-descended peoples ruled major civilizations beyond the African continent. He highlights that some of the most powerful dynasties in India were of African descent. He discusses the true origins of Krishna, whose name translates to “the blackener.”
Ambrose Bierce, a respected journalist of his time, is quoted in the book saying:
“…when the truth of history is known, the United States will Jim Crow the whole of ancient history, because it is nothing but a record of African achievement and glory.”
This statement underscores Parker’s broader argument: the systemic suppression of African achievements in favor of a Eurocentric retelling of history.

Hannibal of Carthage: A Case Study in Historical Distortion
One of the most glaring examples of historical erasure is the portrayal of Hannibal of Carthage, the brilliant military strategist who led an army of war elephants across the Alps to challenge Rome. Despite historical records describing him as a Black general, modern depictions often whitewash his identity.
Even today, this erasure continues—Netflix faced backlash in 2023 for casting Denzel Washington as Hannibal, despite overwhelming historical evidence supporting his African origins. Parker, writing over a century ago, referenced American journalists who recognized Hannibal’s Black heritage, reinforcing the need for historical correction.

A Book That Stands Firm in the Face of Modern Research
Comparing Children of the Sun with contemporary research reveals the extent to which mainstream academia continues to resist acknowledging Africa’s role in shaping civilization. A recent YouTube documentary, for instance, perpetuates the myth that ancient Greek and Roman societies were entirely European in origin, despite Parker’s evidence-based refutation of such claims.
The book also challenges the falsehood that Greek civilization developed in isolation. Parker cites Sir Arthur Evans’ work on Minoan and Mycenaean cultures, drawing attention to the African influences in these civilizations. A careful examination of Evans’ documentary materials reveals an uncomfortable truth—while modern historians acknowledge his archaeological contributions, they often omit his observations about African ancestry in ancient Greece.

Scholarly Foundations: The Experts Parker ReferencesParker’s work is not based on speculation; he builds his arguments upon the research of renowned historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists of his time, including:

• Homer
• Sir Arthur Evans
• C. F. Volney
• William Flinders Petrie
• Herr Reinisch
• Dr. Rudolph Virchow

By citing these scholars and their publications, Parker constructs an argument that is difficult to refute. His use of academic sources strengthens Children of the Sun as a foundational text for anyone seeking an honest exploration of African history.

Why This Book Remains Essential Reading
More than a century after its publication, Children of the Sun remains one of the most powerful rebuttals to historical misrepresentation. The book is concise—spanning less than 35 pages—but it delivers an intellectual knockout punch that dismantles long-standing myths with surgical precision.
Parker’s work is so potent that, were it published today, it would likely face censorship or discreditation. In an era where books that challenge Eurocentric historical narratives are frequently banned from schools and libraries, Children of the Sun stands as a testament to truth and resilience.

The Price of Knowledge: An Affordable Investment in Historical Truth
One of the most astonishing aspects of this book is its accessibility. At only $4, it is one of the most affordable and impactful resources available for those seeking to reclaim African history from the grip of colonial distortion.

The Call to Action: Where to Purchase Your Copy
For those interested in reading, we strongly encourage purchasing from Black-owned bookstores that prioritize the preservation and dissemination of African history. One such bookstore is Afriware Books, Co., which remains committed to providing access to culturally significant literature.
If you are unable to find the book on their website, feel free to contact them at [email protected] to inquire about availability.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy That Demands Recognition
Parker’s work serves as a stark reminder that history is not neutral—it is shaped by those who hold power over its narratives. As readers, educators, and truth-seekers, we have a responsibility to challenge the distortions that have been imposed upon African history and to uplift the voices of scholars who fought to restore the truth.
If you are ready to take the first step toward unlearning centuries of historical deception, Children of the Sun is the perfect place to start. The knowledge contained within these pages is invaluable, and its relevance in today’s world is undeniable.
It is time to reclaim the truth.

​i admit it, I didn't like "Native Son" the movie so much that, I couldn't force myself to read it.
But his "Haiku" made up for it.

​In one literary knockout punch, this book restores our African origins to their rightful place.
and the author did this in 1918, before Google.

​Something about our victories ...
tastes like the sweetness of the sunrise.
​
In "The Irritated Genie" by Dr. Jacob Carruthers, every hue of liberty shines brilliantly from each page. Expect to enjoy an intellectually scrumptious and savory feast. I am drawn to books like these. After getting an overdose of deception and deceit from history classes, it is like a breath of fresh air to read a comprehensive book that shares the glory and grit of gaining independence in Haiti.

​​I'm proud of the backstory on how we came to carry this book on the real life Queen Charlotte the series is based on.

​When I first read it, I thought it was a ridiculous conspiracy theory...

and then everything she said started proving itself before my very eyes.​