Book Review — JET BLACK: the prelude Volume 1 (Books 1-3) by Bre Ashley

Rating: 4-4.5/5

Genre: poetry

[book 1], “shaded injustice” challenges you to find your identify places, people, and things in your life where injustice was covert or supervised. next, create your own vision for what equality, diversity, and justice look like for you. lastly, identify ways you can work to make this vision an everyday reality.

[book 2], “power in the puff” challenges you to find your true hair colors, curl patterns and, the power in your puff and to embrace your hair with freedom..

[book 3], “black diamonds” challenges you to find your truth, know your truth, and propose to your truth and wear it as a black diamond ring.

each book comes with a section for notes and discussion questions to encourage you to discuss these thoughts in solitude or with friends.

SHADED INJUSTICE (JET BLACK: the prelude Volume 1 Book 1)

4/5 This book is the intro to the series and it covers many different topics from colorism, police brutality, representation in the media, loss, and grief.

POWER IN THE PUFF (JET BLACK: the prelude Volume 1 Book 2)

5/5 Out of the three, this one is my favorite. There are metaphors between taking care of your hair and striving for justice. Really well done.

BLACK DIAMONDS (JET BLACK: the prelude Volume 1 Book 3)

4/5 This book has beat and makes allusions to music. There are also connections between fashion and faith.

Overall, these poems show the passion for Black culture leaps off the pages and there’s a true desire to honor and elevate the experience of Black people. Poems are short and have a mantra-like quality to them.