Feeling the Spirit

I purchased this book on a whim when it first came out, and it is still one of my favorites. The intensity of the photographs, coupled with the essays, convey to the reader the deep love this man has for African people all over the world. Every time I open this book, I am filled with a sense of wonderment and joy as I look into these beautiful brown and black faces. It is like looking at an album of family photos that no one told you was there. You are drawn into the space that the subject occupies and feel as though you are there. There is one photo of his aunt praying, and i swear that she looks just like some of my people down in Arkansas! There is also a rare picture of Dr John Henry Clarke being made an honorary chief that is absolutely priceless. This book shows the simplicity and complexity of all of our lives: Our beliefs, rituals, loves, and connections to one another. It is this book that got me started collecting coffee table books based on the African experience and it's a great start for anyone who wants to see us as we truly are, or simply wants to see themselves.

Seeing ourselves helps us to know ourselves. Seeing people in the context of their world community helps us to know that we are truly one people of the world. Chester Higgins, Jr. has celebrated the African journey and the extended and extensive African family in a way that no other photographer has. Visually this book is treasury. The essays are equally as wonderful. How can African Americans and all descendants of Africa teach our children to honor themselves? We should show them these photographs. All people interested in knowing and sharing the human story would enjoy FEELING THE SPIRIT - SEARCHING THE WORLD FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICA. Every library in every school and university in America should have a copy of this wonderful book.