Sutton Griggs (1872-1930), a Texas-bom, African
American Baptist minister, novelist and political writer, had
a strong influence on the development of Black nationalism
and pride. He was a founder of the National Public Welfare
League and the National Religious and Civic Institute.
Exploring themes of racism, repression and miscegenation
in his political tracts as well as his fiction, his most
important novels include Imperium in Imperio, Unfettered,
and The Hindered Hand.
Cornel West (Introducer), University Professor of Religion
at Princeton, is the author of numerous works including The
American Evasion of Philosophy, The Future of American
Progressivism, The War Against Parent, and the bestselling
Race Matters.
A.J. Verdelle (Preface), lecturer in the Creative Writing
Program at Princeton, is the author of Forward, Scarlet
Sister Mary and The Good Negress. Her numerous awards
include the American Academy of Arts and Letters Vursell
Award for Distinguished Prose, and the Literary Honor
Award from the Black Caucus of the ALA.
