Earnest N. Bracey

Originally opened in May 1955, the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino quickly rose in popularity as Las Vegas' first racially-integrated hotel and casino. Sammy Davis, Jr., Louis Armstrong, and other A-list black singers and musicians performed at the Moulin Rouge on a regular basis, and for once they were allowed to spend the night in the same hotel where they performed. This book explains the important role that the hotel-casino played in early desegregation efforts in Las Vegas. With the Moulin Rouge as the backdrop, it provides an analysis of the evolution of race-relations in Las Vegas, including a detailed account of the landmark 1960 desegregation agreement. Finally, it examines recent efforts to rebuild and renovate the historic establishment.

This book about Miles Dewey Davis is more psychologically driven than a straight biography; but it does cover his musical career, as well his spirituality as a jazz musician. Davis rocketed to jazz fame as a trumpeter, making a plethora of jazz recordings during his life time; and his music kept the “jazz world” on edge for almost fifty years. This book also discusses Davis’s religion, politics, civil rights activism, and his personal struggles as a Black man in the United States. Miles Davis and Jazz as Religion: The Politics of Social Music also shows how Miles Davis made a political statement, as he challenged racial stereotypes in jazz or “social music.” Artistically, Davis was able to integrate rock, jazz, classical music, rap and blues, in his music, as he had a passion for changing his “social music.” In this regard, Miles Davis’s music was important to him intellectually, spiritually, and psychologically, because he wanted to make his musical contributions count.

Despite the seemingly endless obstacles placed in their paths for centuries, African Americans have somehow survived, even in a polarized country, while bravely confronting white prejudice, racial injustice, and discrimination. In a volume of ten stories, Earnest Bracey shares insight into the lives of diverse characters often uplifted by rhythm and blues music while facing terrible domestic situations, death, and racism in a harsh and complex world. David Moore, the Reverend Anthony Jones, and Randall Smith are all battling internal demons when they are committed to the same mental hospital and form an alliance. While growing up in Louisiana, Jason Little is labeled a sissy by the neighborhood Black boys. But what no one knows is that he has gifted fingers. Betty Brown has the voice of an angel. As she transforms into a fabulous gospel singer, Betty must harbor a horrifying secret that ultimately robs her of her voice. The Big Black Three and Other Short Stories is a collection of candid, sometimes haunting tales that address the suffering, struggles, and other deprivations of African Americans.

Despite the seemingly endless obstacles placed in their paths for centuries, African Americans have somehow survived, even in a polarized country, while bravely confronting white prejudice, racial injustice, and discrimination. In a volume of ten stories, Earnest Bracey shares insight into the lives of diverse characters often uplifted by rhythm and blues music while facing terrible domestic situations, death, and racism in a harsh and complex world. David Moore, the Reverend Anthony Jones, and Randall Smith are all battling internal demons when they are committed to the same mental hospital and form an alliance. While growing up in Louisiana, Jason Little is labeled a sissy by the neighborhood Black boys. But what no one knows is that he has gifted fingers. Betty Brown has the voice of an angel. As she transforms into a fabulous gospel singer, Betty must harbor a horrifying secret that ultimately robs her of her voice. The Big Black Three and Other Short Stories is a collection of candid, sometimes haunting tales that address the suffering, struggles, and other deprivations of African Americans.

This book about Miles Davis is more psychologically driven than a straight biography; but it does cover his musical career, as well his spirituality as a jazz musician. Davis rocketed to jazz fame as a trumpeter, making a plethora of jazz recordings during his life time; and his music kept the “jazz world” on edge for almost fifty years. This book also discusses Davis’s religion, politics, civil rights activism, and his personal struggles as a Black man in the United States. Miles Davis and Jazz as Religion: The Politics of Social Music also shows how Miles Davis made a political statement, as he challenged racial stereotypes in jazz or “social music.” Artistically, Davis was able to integrate rock, jazz, classical music, rap and blues, in his music, as he had a passion for changing his “social music.” In this regard, Miles Davis’s music was important to him intellectually, spiritually, and psychologically, because he wanted to make his musical contributions count.

The Confluence of Racial Politics in America: Critical Writings compiles articles written by Earnest N. Bracey, Ph.D. that explore critical political issues facing African Americans, past and present. Students learn about the history of racism in American and sustained transgressions against people of color. The text empowers them to confront systemic racism and the structural racial injustices that continue on today.Part I features articles that discuss the relationship between Blacks and higher education. Students read about the significance of historically Black colleges and universities, the complex legacy of Brown vs. Board of Education, and more. In Part II, readers examine issues related to civil rights and Black politics. Selected readings cover the nonviolent politics of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, the social activism of Ruby Duncan, and the continued relevance of the Congressional Black Caucus. The final part encourages discussion of social justice, with articles that examine racial disparities in the criminal justice system, questions of equality in America, and the politics and impact of environmental racism.Unflinching in its truths and undeniably timely in nature, The Confluence of Racial Politics in America is well suited for courses in political science, American history, Black American history, and race and ethnicity.

Earnest Bracey is a man who loves music. He played his jazz trumpet at several venues in Japan, as well as at the One Step Down jazz club in Washington, D.C. He was a jazz trumpet soloist in the acclaimed Jazz Big Band at Jackson State University in the late 1970s, and his love for music has poured into his love of prose. Dark Labyrinth is a collection of poems about music and so much more. Many of Bracey's poems reference the power of the blues. Perhaps his most significant "blues poems" are "The Language of our Demise," "Ebola Blues," and "The Tall Black Man with One White Shoe." As a musician and African American history professor, Bracey's poems give poetic justice to the black experience in the United States. His collection provides snapshots of African American feelings in an imaginative way. His words celebrate the horror and beauty of America without sugarcoating anything. Some poems are derived from strict facts and harsh truths, but all carry a bluesy, musical sense of play.

This book explores the life of one of Mississippi's greatest civil rights activists, Fannie Lou Hamer. Known for her daring, her brinkmanship and her impassioned speech-making, Hamer rose to prominence in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, an intrepid group which tried to unseat the predominantly white Democrats of Mississippi during the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She is particularly remembered for her speech before the Credentials Committee, seeking to end all-white representation of her home state. Hamer fought her entire life to expand freedom and basic rights to African Americans in the United States.

The Comedy of War is an overview of military politics, strategy, and the causes of war utilizing books and films as source texts:The Art of War by Sun Tzu, on War by Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz, and The Butter Battle by Dr. Seuss; (the films) Antz and A Bug's Life. This work offers systematic interpretations of what goes on before and after war, and the political and strategic implications of warfare. It provides interesting and plausible explanations for the contentious relationship of military officers and civilian leaders, ultimately questioning what happens when the definitions of military and civilian activities become blurred.

Places in Political Time approaches the black African Diaspora phenomenon from a new perspective, considering cultural myths, history, allegories, and other stories, which present the human condition from a black American perspective. The book also formulates a way of presenting and understanding the divergent views of black scholars today in shaping our thoughts about individuals of black African descent. The essays in this book describe and evaluate tough questions on racism and uncomfortable truths about people within the black Diaspora, exploring how people of color interact with themselves and dominate cultures.

General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., USAF, fought in three American wars and became the first African American to attain the rank of four-star general in the United States Armed Forces. He was a talented military leader, an excellent orator and an advocate for equal rights for blacks in the military. James was once one of the most powerful men in the world, and today he is often classed with such great American generals as Patton, MacArthur and Pershing. This biography explores James's life and assesses his place in American military history. From his childhood through his role and service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the book traces his personal and career development, his influences, and his climb through the military ranks. Photographs of James are included as well as detailed bibliographical information at the end of each chapter.