This anthology of black writers traces the evolution of African-American perspectives throughout American history, from the early years of slavery to the end of the 20th century. The essays, manifestos, interviews and documents assembled here, contextualised with critical commentaries from Marable and Mullings, introduce the reader to the character and important controversies of each period of black history.The selections represent a broad spectrum of ideology. Conservative, radical, nationalistic and integrationist approaches can be found in almost every period, yet there have been striking shifts in the evolution of social thought and activism. The editors illustrate how both continuity and change affected the African-American community in terms of its internal divisions, class structure, migration, social problems, leadership and protest movements. They also show how gender, spirituality, literature, music and connections to Africa and the Caribbean played a prominent role in black life and history.