Select Books Inc. is thrilled to announce the forthcoming release of a groundbreaking book, The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy, scheduled for publication on October 8, 2024. Co-authored by National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and NNPA Senior National Correspondent and Let It Be Known News host Stacy M. Brown, this book provides a deep dive into the enduring impact of the transatlantic slave trade from 1500 to 2024.

The transatlantic slave trade represents one of history’s most horrific chapters, where millions of Africans were forcibly removed from their homeland, dehumanized, and exploited to build the so-called American dream. This book meticulously examines how the legacies of this era continue to influence American society, laying the foundation for the systemic racism that persists today.

In The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy, Dr. Chavis and Brown explore the ways systemic social demonization, racial enslavement, geopolitical imperialism, and ethnic cleansing were constructed and perpetuated over centuries. The book sheds light on how the ideology of white supremacy, rooted in the transatlantic slave trade, remains a pervasive force in contemporary racism and inequity.

Chuck D of Public Enemy, who wrote a powerful foreword for the book, underscored its relevance. “This book isn’t just about the past,” Chuck stated. “It’s about the living, breathing legacy of that past. The chains of slavery may have been broken, but the shackles of systemic racism are still very much intact. From police brutality and mass incarceration to economic disparity and educational inequality, the echoes of the slave trade reverberate through every facet of American life. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.”

Chavis, a stalwart in the civil rights movement and a member of the Wilmington Ten, draws on his extensive experience and insight for this book. His leadership in the NAACP and work in environmental justice and economic empowerment highlight his dedication to combating racial injustice. Chavis’s life’s work reflects the resilience and resistance that are central themes in the book.

Meanwhile, Brown brings his exceptional reporting skills and profound understanding to the collaboration, resulting in a comprehensive examination of the transatlantic slave trade as a shared history—a narrative woven with threads of sorrow, resistance, collaboration, and resilience.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade:

Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy offers a raw, unfiltered look at the atrocities of the slave trade and its enduring impact on Black America. The book serves as an urgent call to acknowledge the pain and suffering of the past and to continue the fight for justice and equality.

With endorsements from former African Union Ambassador Arikana Chihombori-Quao and NBA legend Isiah Thomas, the book arrives at a critical moment when understanding the historical roots of contemporary racial injustices is more important than ever. As Chuck D poignantly states, “Fight the Power.” The book equips readers with the knowledge and motivation to challenge the status quo and strive for true equality and justice.

The Transatlantic Slave Trade:

Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy is available for pre-order now on Amazon and will be available for purchase on October 8, 2024, wherever books and e-books are sold.

This story appeared first in The Washington Informer.