Speak My Name

A searing testimony of what it is to be black and male. —Gloria Naylor

“Deeply provocative, challenging and useful.” —Jon Katz, The Washington Post Book World

“Don Belton has accomplished an essential task in gathering 25 richly talented, intelligent and sensitive African American males to produce a compelling collection. . . . One that arrives at just the right time.” —Claude Lewis, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Black men live in a social world made extremely difficult by the forces of racism, yet they remain ordinary (albeit soulful) creatures who are born, eat, sleep, mature, love pray—and work—just like everyone else. To the detriment of the black man, this simple truth is too often ignored by the wider white society, and with this anthology Mr. Belton wishes to set matters right. He succeeds admirably.” —Elijah Anderson, The New York Times Book Review

“An honest, important book.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Brilliant, bold . . . Speak My Name does for black men what Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale and the Delaney sisters’ priceless Having Our Say have done for black women.” —James Earl Hardy, The Advocate

“A rich and varied menu of the concerns, fears, aspirations, and tragedies that pervade the psyche of the black male writer.” —John C. Walter, The Seattle Times