Review of Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

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Grace Lee Rose
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Review of Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream" by Dr Frank L Douglas.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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Dr. Frank L. Douglas is the author of this passionate memoir, Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream. Douglas departs from what was then British Guiana for the United States to attend Lehigh University and eventually Cornell University Medical School after securing a scholarship through unwavering determination. He is affected by the culture shock he encounters after arriving. He observes racial prejudice on a scale he has never seen before. Many times afterward, he likewise falls prey to this harmful ideology. After joining The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Douglas is awarded a National Institutes of Health fellowship to work as a Clinical Research Associate during his residency. Douglas' life continues to reflect on descent, political dynamics, racial prejudice in the US, and overcoming several challenges to pursue a career in medicine and academia.

The book's revelation of the prevalence of racial prejudice in businesses and institutions of higher learning pleased me. Douglas experienced numerous instances of racial discrimination as an African American. He once had a promotion taken from him because of his race. He also observes numerous instances of partiality based on race in school. He starts looking into the issue. The disturbing discoveries are detailed in the book.

It was comforting to learn that this narrative inspires optimism despite formidable hurdles. The story of Douglas' life is one of ups and downs. He didn't know his biological father as a child, and he struggled mightily to get a scholarship. He has not experienced the ideal American life. He continues to pursue his goals and give back to his community despite this. The author's straightforward writing style appealed to me since it omitted pointless information and made it apparent to me where the author felt on certain issues.

I enjoyed that the author gave a compelling backstory, detailing events from his early life that influenced his perseverance. Douglas, who grew up in poverty and was largely unaware of how he could pay for his education, became aware of the difficulties others like him experienced and worked hard to make the most of the possibilities.

The amount of technical information in the book bothered me a little. I didn't allow this, though, to stop me from enjoying the book as a whole. I found no errors. Therefore, it had been edited properly. I'll rate it 5 out of 5 stars for these reasons. It would appeal to readers who enjoy memoirs, especially those that discuss racial discrimination, ethnic identification, and personal identity.

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Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
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