We Rise

This short audiobook is a compilation of historic recordings of seminal speeches by prominent black women of the last half-century. Each speech is preceded by a short introduction, which explains the importance of the speaker and the occasion of the speech. The introductions are poorly edited and directed, and even simple words are mispronounced. However, the words of prominent black women ring out across the ages. Speeches include Rosa Parks's brief remarks and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan's stirring speech at the National Democratic Convention in 1976 as well as words from Shirley Chisolm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Mary McLeod Bethune, and First Lady Michelle Obama. Audience applause and cheers mingle with the speakers' words, reminding listeners that these were live orations. Some of the pops, scratches, and editing clips are audible, and, perhaps, inevitable. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine