The Biblical Epistles of The Apostle Paul depict the attempts of the Jews to disparage the spiritual, societal, and cultural experiences of the Gentiles. Dr. Portis provides a current parallel of Paul's characterizations of these issues through her description of the White Supremacy Ideology's historical attempts to disparage equality and equity for Black Americans. Through the Eyes of This Black Woman is a critical work which authenticates the struggles and sacrifices of a people shortly removed from slavery but never from oppression and humiliation. The book provides an undeniable narrative contrary to the view of a segment of Americans, and legislators, especially, who desire to unwrite history, expunge the rules and redefine the issues. Their desire also defaces proud people who triumph despite the adversities endured.
Notwithstanding the odious attempt of System Racism to circumvent the progress of Black people, Dr. Portis conveys that we are continuing to rise. This book is a worthwhile read in every local, state, and national legislative body and in every seminary.
Dr. Ralph W. Canty, 9th President of The Progressive Baptist Convention, USA, and Former Legislator in The State of South Carolina House of Representatives
With both passion and accuracy, this book summarily chronicles the historical and current context for the apparent intentional economic disparities against the Black community. Staying true to its theme of the Relay to Liberty and Freedom, this book is replete with examples of Black business success throughout the history of our nation, despite the systemic societal odds against Black achievement and the backdrop of reactionary, at times, violent backlash against Black economic progress. Dr. Portis notes the socioeconomic roles of gerrymandering, redlining, and recurring voter suppression in stymying economic advancement for Black people, and exposes much, much more. In correctly identifying the Black community's intergenerational lack of access to either equitable economic opportunity or financial literacy, I am reminded that even for years in the segregated schools of her hometown, the curriculum in all-White Edmunds High School included a required course in financial literacy while the Black school Lincoln High School had no such course at all. Through the Eyes of This Black Woman provides a compelling and engaging exposition that aligns well with numerous widely known data-driven analyses of racial economic disparities. The book should be a must-read for economics students and policymakers alike.
Lucy J. Reuben, Ph.D., Managing Director, SKEEA: Strategic Keys to Educational & Economic Advancement-Durham, NC 27707 Chair, Board of Trustees, Morris College
