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Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady (Excelsior Editions)

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"Go, Tell Michelle" is a breath taking anthology written by 100 African and African American women from all over the globe. Barbara Nevergold and Peggy Bertram from Uncrowned Queens Institute came up with the idea of getting career women express their thoughts in form of letters to the first lady. The book covers every topic of imagination one could think or have on what a fist lady who happen to be African would encounter.

The women write their letters which could be compared to weaving a tapestry together to form one large art work but with each artists' unique style and voice. The women poured out their feelings, thoughts and actions in a sophisticated manner; while addressing the issues to be black and a woman. The journey black women have travelled in the American society and the world as a whole, the plight of the dark skin black woman such as Michelle Obama and her place in America and world. This breath taking book touches the core of womanhood as the women use words which are soothing to describe discrimination, rejection and neglect in their lives; but with hope in their voices. They see Michelle Obama as a sign of hope for the next genration.

Sometimes in the complexities of today's world the simplest acts are disarming, as in Aristophanes Lysistrata when Athenian women by the withdrawal of finances and sex seek and establish peace and health for their war-like sons and husbands. It was grand comedy and a critique of the Grecian mindset. Aristophanes' literary project was stunning. One can say that a current literary project--Go, Tell Michelle--by Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram of Buffalo, without exaggeration, might indeed go far beyond the imaginative work of the Greek dramatist in its social impact in the short term and in its enduring influence on a nation.

In Go, Tell Michelle we have 100 African American female writers--including Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram--reflecting on the significance of the entry 20 January 2009 of Michele Obama and her family into the White House, which one poet has renamed the "Rainbow House." Yes, the world has long heard of the power of Athenian women. But we have yet to feel and recognize the full impact that black women have had on the cultural and political life of the United States. Those past and living generations (those Uncrowned Queens) will gather mystically at this moment: through the agency of this book Go, Tell Michelle I believe we--black women and their men--will come out of a dark tunnel and light up the heavens.

This work pulled together in 34 days by Barbara and Peggy and 98 other black female cultural workers, with the help of SUNY Press, is greatly anticipated. Hopefully Go, Tell Michelle will be available this week and on the shelves by this weekend. It will reshape black female consciousness (as much as Go, Tell It on the Mountain) for many years to come. Invoked here is the influence of ten generations (and more) of African women and their descendants in the creation of that which is best in American culture and politics.

Americans and citizens of the world will see it in the person of Michele Obama and in the work of these 100 African American women in a literary work that will become as much of a classic as Aristophanes Lysistrata.

I urge you to get your copy of Go, Tell Michelle. It is destined to be a NYTimes Bestseller.

"Go, Tell Michelle" contains 100 International literary contributions from highly accomplished women (mothers, attorneys, surgeons, artists, and students, etc., of Caribbean, African & African American descent who were so moved by Michelle Obama that united they render support via their words of passions in this book. I was honored to be chosen as one of those women. An example from one of the poet's mantras used in the closing of the book from a Professor/performing classical violist, "So, Michelle...HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH, WE ARE GOING WITH YOU". The book, a MUST BUY, as its history is, and will be invaluable especially to our future generations as it clearly in a beautiful, passionate & narrative way illustrates the challenges/struggles of women of color in the past & present. Yet, through this book, all the women in this book celebrate...we celebrate especially for our ancestors who often had no voice in history...

Throughout the 2008 presidential campaign, many people all over the world were glued to their seat hanging on the words of not only Barack Obama, but also his wife, Michelle Obama. Poets wrote poems; storytellers, novelists, and journalists wrote the emotions they were feeling at the moment. And those who were in different walks of life wrote down their feelings as well. Did any of these women know that there was a possibility they would have the opportunity to have their thoughts included in a book for the whole world to see what they were feeling? Some yes and many no. Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady compiled and edited by Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram is a powerful book of letters and poems to First Lady Michelle Obama.

There were two letters that brought tears to my eyes. The first one was the letter written by Peggy Bertram. I was reading it aloud to my daughter and almost did not make it to the end. It was due to the coincidence of the economic crisis and "Aunt Millie" coming to show the family how to stretch a meal when there is not any money to really purchase food. Even though, this letter was untitled many could relate to the subject and topic. The second was written by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie; her piece is called "My Great-Great-Grandmother Talks to Michelle Obama." This piece moved me in so many ways. I could hear, from the tone of the letter, someone's great-great grandmother's voice quivering as she told the First Lady to embrace her title even when it feels weird to hear it. She also told her, Mrs. Obama, that she is a representation of not only her family, but all the women in history. I am happy I was sitting alone and reading it because I'm not quite sure what my family would have thought happened to me. There are many other pieces that made me think and nod in agreement.

I recommend all households, not just African Americans, but everyone, get a copy of Go, Tell Michelle. They should use it to see how many different women from all walks of life can appreciate one woman, who has done nothing but be herself, believe in and support her man, and be a wonderful mother. It is a book full of hope.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

I enjoyed reading the letters to our First Lady, but I thought they would be from women from all walks of life. Most of the letters came from women who lived in New York, none were from military wives, stay at home moms, office workers, unemployed women, all of whom voted and helped make history on Nov. 4, 2008. Michelle Obama is the First Lady to us all, but the letters selected for the book don't reflect that.

I appreciated the diverse comments from so many writers. I was proud of all the talented in my community. Published in a very timely manner. Good presentation.

GO, TELL MICHELLE is a collection of letters and poems written by women from all over the world giving their admiration and praise of First Lady, Michelle Obama. This book will take you back to the time just after the 2008 election. GO, TELL MICHELLE is a book that could be a great collector's item for those wanting a keepsake that commemorates in prose the feelings of that time. Women from all walks of life, professions, and continents sent in emails, letters and faxes with the hope of their words being read by the famed Mrs. Obama. The letters were said to be sent in ornate papers and papyrus, scribed in calligraphy and gold, all hoping to encompass the enormity of the occasion. The beautiful introductory remarks give the backdrop of the letters and nicely place the admirations in context.

Many of the letters are similar: praising The First Couple's marriage, admiring the daughters, and expressing excitement of the grandmother - feelings all of us had and still have. This is an endearing collection that captures the effervescent hopes of the world.

Reviewed by Christina Lenear
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Interesting book. It was more on a spiritual level than most books written about Obama.

It was a gift for my best friend; I didn't have a chance to read it yet.
But, as an avid reader and as the first on her block to get a copy, she declared it "the best birthday present ever!!"

Go, Tell Michelle is a collection of letters from African American Women to Michelle Obama compiled by Barbara A. Seal Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram. Wonderful are the congratulation letters, prayers, and personal accounts of the meaning of having an African American woman as the First Lady. Many women wrote encouraging Mrs. Obama to stand by her man; reminding Mother Obama to raise her young ladies right; praising Daughter Obama for taking her mother with her to the White House with her, and asking her to bring to light sensitive subject matters such as abortion and suffering abroad. Each letter is heartfelt, real, and provides readers with gentle nudges regarding the magnitude of having people who look like them in the most powerful positions in the United States of America.

While Go, Tell Michelle is a nice collection, I really loved one particular letter written by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, titled My Great-Great Grandmother Talks To Michelle Obama, where she encourages our First Lady to understand that she represents much more than herself. I applaud Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram for sifting through countless entries and finding letters that would fit well with their vision for Go, Tell Michelle, but this is no quick read. Since most of the letters have similar content, it can easily become tedious. I recommend Go, Tell Michelle to readers who wonder what messages other people have for OUR First Lady.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub