100 years ago Simon Carter Fuller, the first African American psychiatrist, was photographed with Sigmund Freud on his historic visit to Clark University in Massachusetts. This book is therefore long overdue. Salman Akhtar and his contributors movingly address the African American experience from personal, historical, biographical, cultural, and clinical perspectives. If we as Americans and psychoanalysts can acknowledge our denial and ignorance of African American history, and tolerate the shame over racism—in our society, in our field, and in ourselves—this book is a must read for all of us. Its impact cannot be minimized. I could not put the book down!
Mark D. Smaller, President-elect, American Psychoanalytic Association Covering generations of African American development, Salman Akhtar’s book is not only a must read, but a compelling introduction to history during slavery up through the days of Obama. It reinforces the fact that the issue of race is a complicated one and we are yet to be defined as a post-racial community. The book is a persuasive read for all.
Charles J. Ogeltree JD, Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; founding and executive director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice