MAGICALLY BLACK

Combined, however, those qualities elevate his meticulous, impassioned parsings of would-be mundane incidents that become occasions for lamenting, mocking, and generally calling out white America for the mortal danger to which it continually subjects Black lives into what should be understood as contemporary prophecy. Walker always sees where it’s at with this country and always speaks truth to power, as prophets always do.

Whether he’s teaching Black literature, facing a MAGA neighbor, worrying about his teen-aged sons, or second-guessing White people, Jerald Walker’s voice is unique. What a gem of a book!

That’s part of the riveting and multidimensional magic act performed by one of our most gifted essayists.

His writing hums with humor and curiosity and is laced with tart and joyful takes on family, marriage, and inheritance. With this book Walker joins great essayists like Ralph Ellison and James Alan McPherson in imagining and explaining why and how the American culture “we have created” is the truest embodiment of our identity. Magically Black affirms Jerald Walker’s status as a national treasure.

From teaching to taking care of his lawn, Walker provides insight into what can only be called the daily occurrences of blackness. How should one interact around the police? What goes through a father’s mind when his son does not return home on time? Walker writes with honesty and humor. His book in many ways magically measures the many degrees of life.