Open My Eyes, Open My Soul: Celebrating Our Common Humanity

Black Issues Book Review, July-August, 2004 by Lynnette C. Velasco

Open My Eyes, Open My Soul: Celebrating Our Common Humanity by Yolanda King and Elodia Tate Foreword by Coretta Scott King McGraw-Hill, January 2004 $14.95, ISBN 0-071-43886-6

Calamity appears to be the main course in print, on television and across cyberspace. We are bombarded daily; we suffer indigestible uncertainty, stress, and even fear. Yolanda King and Elodia Tate have solicited contributions from people from all walks of life, all colors, rich or poor: their goal was to show how we all share a common humanity, a oneness. They conclude that life is precious, and that love, caring, healing and forgiveness transcends all boundaries. Maya Angelou puts it simply but eloquently in the opening poem, "Human Family," when she states, "We are more alike, my friends, / than we are unalike."

The poems, quotes, short stories and testimonials share difficult paths of travel and triumph. The 55 contributors include Muhammad Ali, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Margaret Cho, Cheryl Costello-Forshey, Andrew Dan-Jumbo, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Sharon Redhawk Love, Kim Huong Marker, Freddie Ravel, Rabbi Jack Reimer, Dr. Bernie Siegel and Stevie Wonder. In her endearing Foreword, Coretta Scott King describes Open My Eyes, Open My Soul as a "kind of spiritual travel guide." Mrs. King adds that "spending some quiet time with a book that inspires and uplifts the human spirit remains one of the most fulfilling of life's pleasures" I concur. I could not put this book down. I found myself frequently rereading passages for affirmation and reinforcement of character.

The authors are already at work on their next anthology. Writers--published or unpublished--are asked to submit Let's Dream-Soul Post Office Box 578325, Modesto, CA 95357.

Velasco, who is a poet and author of the children's book Zinzi: A Child's Journey to Self-Fulfillment, Giving and Caring (Worldwide Publishing Inc., February 1998).