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

[Prose Recount]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream" by Dr Frank L Douglas.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

In Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream, Dr. Frank L. Douglas shares his personal journey through a memoir of his life experiences. Growing up in a low-income family, he faced challenges obtaining the necessities of life and was unable to indulge in luxuries. Despite this, he had a strong desire to pursue education and, as a teenager, sought to attend high school but was unable to due to financial constraints. He turned to learning shoemaking from his grandfather, but a fortunate turn of events came when his uncle paid for his tuition. This allowed him to attend Cambridge Academy and graduate with high marks. This success served as a stepping stone for him, as it led to a scholarship to study in the United States. Throughout the book, Dr. Douglas recounts the obstacles he faced, including racism and cultural differences, and how he overcame them to achieve numerous awards, accomplishments, and professional positions.
 
The author's personal experiences, from childhood to adulthood, as a black individual in both the United States and Germany were described in great detail in the book. The author's account highlights the ongoing struggle for equality in our society. The level of racial discrimination faced by the author, as well as other individuals of different nationalities at the university, is deeply concerning. The author notes that this treatment, which includes taunts and unfair academic evaluations based on skin color, is not limited to them but is a pervasive issue.
 
The author highlights the discriminatory treatment faced by himself and other black individuals in the education system, from primary school to obtaining a PhD. It is striking to learn about the extent of bigotry present in the ways in which black students were treated differently, with lower grades and unfair academic requirements compared to their white peers. While many are familiar with the more physical forms of discrimination, such as violence and intimidation, it is eye-opening to learn about the subtle ways in which racism can impact one's education and academic success. The author's perseverance and determination in the face of these challenges are admirable, as is his approach of logic and empathy towards others facing similar struggles. Throughout his memoir, the author recounts the various hardships he faced and how they helped him become stronger. His unwavering spirit of hope serves as an inspiration and offers a new perspective for others.
 
Douglas' determination and perseverance in overcoming adversity continue to serve as a source of inspiration for me. During the early 1960s, racism was a prevalent issue within the academic community, with many unwritten policies that prevented black individuals from achieving success. Despite facing discrimination himself and witnessing it directed towards others, Douglas never wavered in his efforts to correct these injustices. He never gave up, and his unwavering spirit serves as an inspiration to us all.
 
There was nothing I disliked about this work. The book was exceptionally edited too. Therefore, I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to lovers of biographies that touch on the ills of society.

******
Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Chidinma Dijeh]

I found the book's message of never giving up, no matter the obstacles, incredibly uplifting.