We Were Kings And Queens

We were Kings and Queens is a short story illustration of African-American History before the time of slavery. It explores the realities of the rich lineage, royal status, and the truth that must not be forgotten concerning the beginnings of Black History.

“Poignant and important.” —Refinery29 “A bright and sparkly celebration of love and self-acceptance.” —Kirkus Reviews Judy Blume meets RuPaul’s Drag Race in this funny, feel-good debut novel about a queer teen who navigates questions of identity and self-acceptance while discovering the magical world of drag. Perpetually awkward Nima Kumara-Clark is bored with her insular community of Bridgeton, in love with her straight girlfriend, and trying to move past her mother’s unexpected departure. After a bewildering encounter at a local festival, Nima finds herself suddenly immersed in the drag scene on the other side of town. Macho drag kings, magical queens, new love interests, and surprising allies propel Nima both painfully and hilariously closer to a self she never knew she could be—one that can confidently express and accept love. But she’ll have to learn to accept lost love to get there. From debut author Tanya Boteju comes a poignant, laugh-out-loud tale of acceptance, self-expression, and the colorful worlds that await when we’re brave enough to look.

This book adds the missing pages of history and restores the original first family to their rightful place by weaving together discoveries from the past thirty years with common knowledge about Africans and their descendants into a complete story. Written in the twenty-first century, this book is the first of its kind that asks its reader to think outside the box. The author takes on the challenge presented to Americans by Senator Barack Obama during his speech in Philadelphia on March 2008 when he addressed the issue of race relations in America. Before We Were Black looks at old history from a different angle with a fresh pair of eyes. The reader will be asked to participate and take a ride with the author; suspend some of their own preconceived notions; and for the moment, look through the lens of the twenty-first century. The purpose of this book is not to accuse but to take a judicial approach where the facts complete the story. Before We Were Black does not bog its reader down with demagoguery. Instead, the reader will feel like they are on an amusement park ridesometimes flying so high that it takes their breath away and other times falling so low that it brings them to tears; but when the reader has finished the book, they will look back and say, I want to read it again! A book of this kind comes along once every twenty years. Its a book rendered in the same genre as Why We Cant Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; As a Man Thinketh by James Allen; The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin; and The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. All relatively small books, yet they leave their reader with a life-long impression. This book is for everyone, young and old, and is a catalyst to the nations ongoing discussion about race relations. The time has come for a new model on race relations. Finally, the full story about world history is presentedare you ready?

This is a book of short stories and Poetry that will leave you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Suspense, betrayal, and more found in the short stories included in this book. Poetry that will have you in deep thought, and reflecting .