Who Are You, Staking a Claim in This Land?

Very little has been written about Blacks and the Culture they cultivated during the 19th and 20th Century, especially in the South in the City of Mobile, Alabama. Within this book, special emphasis is given and written about the years of the 40's through the 70's in which part of this Culture was captured and cultivated. The authors take you back in time to reveal a look into (1) Historical Perspectives (2) Reveal the Influences of the Church (3) The Daily Activities and Dress (4) The Foods and Livelihood (5) The Materialization of The Family (6) An In-depth look at the Community of Old Down-The-Bay (7) One Author's search for identity after the Destruction of the Old Down-The-Bay Community; A simple formula used to gain Economic Stability (8) The Judicial Practice used to take land away from Blacks and (10) What to do legally to possibly regain lost land (11) The Future Outlook of Blacks.

This book highlights with pictures and articles such events as: Society Meetings; Churches and Congregations; Social Functions; Personalities; Local Talents/Creoles; Hair Styles and Fashions; Schools, Teams, Curriculum, and Students; Oral Histories; Foods Combinations; Home and over the Counter Remedies for sickness; Taboos; Slang Words and their meanings; Old Adages; Cleaning & Restoration Methods; The Civil Rights Movement & The Negro Proclamation; High Positions Appointed to Negroes; and Advertisements used during the years of the 1940's thru the 70's.

Lastly, this book will give my defined meaning of the words Soul, Soul Food; The Blues; Black Language and Usage; A list of Black Music with defined characteristics; and gives you an in depth view of the identity of "WHO BLACK PEOPLE REALLY ARE".

It is our hope that this book will instill pride and knowledge of how life was in the South, in particular Mobile, Alabama, give meaning to "Who You Really Are?" being a Black person; be a challenge to others from different cities and communities to research and write in a manner wherein their stories are told from the voice of the people; also, influence others to write about their Black culture and heritage; consult with family elders about the importance of family and church involvement; and, finally look into land that was taken through bogus land deals.