Black In Blues by Imani Perry is an evocative nonfiction work exploring how the color blue, specifically indigo, is woven throughout Black culture detailing the rich history, spirituality, art, and activism of Blacks across the African diaspora.
Synopsis
Perry traces the roots of Blackness and the color blue and their impact on contemporary culture. She draws inspiration from art, history, and her personal experiences. We learn how in West Africa during the 16th century dyed indigo cloth was used to trade people. How dark-skinned people were referred to as “Blue Blacks” and treated with equal parts awe and suspicion. The birth of blues music and its soulful depiction of the Black American struggle. And Perry’s experience with grief and planting blue flowers to honor a loved one.
In this powerful book, Perry shares her brilliance as a writer and thinker detailing the nuances of the human experience, especially as a Black person.
Author’s Intent
Imani Perry saw a recurring theme in Black culture and history of the color blue. She began to explore its intersectionality with Black culture and history pinpointing its roots in Africa and how it spread during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Now, she shares how it’s transformed and manifested in contemporary culture.
Her purpose is to connect you to the richness, complexity, and nuance of Black culture and history through the color blue. To detail the Black experience and the quest for freedom and equality. And how blue represents the hope and heartbreak of many Blacks throughout time.
Representation and Authenticity 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This literary work beautifully details the Black experience throughout history. Perry fully explores the nuances of being Black while highlighting the factors that unite us. She’s excellent at expanding Blackness to encompass the experiences of all Black people globally. Introducing the fact that racism, colonialism, and the endless struggle of the Black people isn’t exclusive to Black Americans but is a global issue. You learn how the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade and colonialism led to the African diaspora as we know it today.
She challenges stereotypes and the social construct of race itself. While highlighting the social issues within the Black community for example colorism and how that created division. Various aspects of Black history, culture, and experience are explored providing a realistic account of what Blackness is and what it looks like.
Social & Cultural Impact 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book was written to be enjoyed by Blacks and nonblacks alike. For the Black reader, you’ll feel a sense of greater understanding regarding your history, culture, and the significance of the color blue and its impact on these things. You’ll also feel a powerful sense of pride in your cultural and racial identity. Whereas, the nonblack reader will come to develop empathy and insight regarding Blackness, racial identity, and cultural identity.
While this book can be heartbreaking it doesn’t leave you broken. Perry weaves hope into this sweeping narrative encouraging you to draw on the wisdom and strength of ancestry to continue the fight for freedom and equality.
Content 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Perry starts at the beginning before slavery and moves you through time to the present. The core themes she covers are: blue and blackness, indigo and the slave trade, blues music, hope and melancholy, art and history, and personal connection.
You’ll learn how the color blue is interwoven in Black history dating back to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to being represented in art, music, and entertainment. How indigo-dyed cloth was used in West Africa during the 16th century to trade human life.
The infusion of the color blue into the blues music genre highlights the resilience and creativity of Black people. You’ll also reflect on the duality of the color blue when it comes to the Black experience. Blue being equal parts hopeful and melancholic detailing the emotional complexity of the Black experience. Additionally, Perry weaves together art, history, and her personal narrative to create a rich exploration of blue and Blackness.
Writing Style🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Perry’s writing style is approachable while also being informative. Her prose is eloquent and lyrical providing you with an emotional reading experience. She follows a timeline and moves the story along steadily providing great detail for each historical point without being wordy or convoluted.
She remained on topic for the central idea of the book and still managed to cover various themes adding depth and nuance. Additionally, she knows how to create a literary masterpiece that speaks to Black people while simultaneously including nonblacks in the conversation appealing to a broad audience.
Perry’s tone was fluid and changed according to the subject matter or particular theme she was highlighting or exploring. However, this was done with such care and attention that it felt natural ensuring you have a seamless reading experience. Generally, Perry maintained a formal yet optimistic and informative tone. She’s also excellent at inciting your curiosity with her brilliant storytelling ability.
Personal Reflections
Reading Perry’s work was truly an awesome experience. I felt so connected with my racial and cultural identity. I developed a greater understanding of the African diaspora and the global impact of colonialism on the African people and the continent. I highly recommend this book especially if you want to explore the nuances of Blackness culturally and historically and are fascinated with the color blue.
