Dirty Little Secrets by Claud Anderson, Ed.D – Book Review

The Black History America Loves to Forget: All of Our Dirty Little Secrets

Why is it that Black people have to help everyone but ourselves? We are expected to defend other marginalized groups and their movements, but get our own co-opted and diminished. Or worse: don’t get to reap the benefits of said Black movement in which we created in the first place. (I.e. The Civil Rights Movement). We always have to include other races and marginalized groups. But rarely are we included, including our within own race.

It happens especially with immigration – which this book exposes BIG TIME – but also with issues such as war, the economy, and politics. This author spills all the tea, and has no qualms with hurting anyone’s feelings.  

Dirty Little Secrets by Claud Anderson, Ed.D, Black advocate and educator, is part of a three-book series seeking to give the Black race tools to overcome White supremacy that has permeated every avenue of Black human existence in America as well as the rest of the world. This book in particular offers some lesser known Black History in a more concise and accessible way. The work is organized into small sections, with intimate, juicy stories and timelines. He also references and cross-references the timeline throughout each small story, so the reader will never lose track of the time period, people, or places.

What I love the most about this work though is the fact that NO ONE is safe from the information being presented. You have Black and Indian slaveholders, Columbus’ dirt (and there’s a lot of it), the true nature of African immigration, and Black conservatives (or our modern day Jack and Jill folks lol). 

It’s the fact that Black people invented almost everything imaginable in America. That businesses were blossoming and booming after the Emancipation Proclamation, through the Reconstruction era, all the way through Jim Crow. So what happened? Consequently – and not surprisingly – had their shit burned down, bought off, and/or downright stolen. It almost becomes an interesting mix between frustrating and laughable because how have we allowed this to go on for so long?

Before you fix your lips to say that Black people don’t try hard enough, or that they’re not “patriotic”(whatever the hell that means), or that we are not creative and have no culture, take a look at the facts. The history is real. Regardless of the countless times White people from all over the world have tried to diminish the worth and livelihood of the Black race, we still here. Still standing. That’s our Black history, and SO much more this book sheds light on. 

His writing style is succinct, yet unapologetic. He remains firm in his convictions of the history he presents. His purpose remains clear. Thiis book is meant to not only inform, but also empower the Black race with knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge when applied answers questions like “Why are things like this for Black people today?” or “How can I make a difference in my community as a Black woman or man?” It isn’t until you know the source of the conflict that you may begin the most productive route to change it.

It opens the world up to the uncomfortable, unknown, and truly disgusting secrets that America loves to forget. It’s anything but digestible to the masses, and that’s the precise reason why you should go and read it. Especially if you’re Black (or White if you think your ancestors built this country… but that’s another post). 

If you’re not convinced yet, here are three “dirty little secrets” that will probably surprise you. (Or maybe just disgust and/or annoy you): 

1. “Even without the benefit of a formal education, newly freed Black slaves filed for and were awarded more than 300 invention patents between 1870 and 1900.” 
2. Integration (post-Jim Crow) ruined major Black-owned transportation businesses such as our own bus companies and taxi services. 
3. Columbus DID NOT discover America… nah I’m just playin’. We knew that already, but did you know that he killed and mutilated (with help of course) nearly all of the Indians inhabiting Haiti because he was mad he couldn’t find any gold there? And took the remainder of the Indians as slaves who all died on the way there from diseases and poor health?

And there are more facts just like that. My only qualm is that this book was written in 1997, so we’re in for a major update. However, the history presented here is timeless. There’s a follow-up book in the early 2000s as well. I still believe an update for the times would be very necessary and interesting.

He said what needed to be said, and had all the evidence and facts to back it up of what really went down. Allegedly.

Fun Facts and More Interviews

Fun Fact: There was a section talking about the first Black president and legalities to Blackness in earlier times. I thought this was amusing considering we have Obama now because this book was written in 1997. How things can change in just eleven years. 

Book found here. Or at your local Black-owned book store. I purchased mine from Marcus Books in Oakland, CA if you’re in the Bay Area.

Some more Claud Anderson heat via Interviews with The Breakfast Club: 

Interview 1

Interview 2 

Tags: Dirty Little Secrets, Claud Anderson, woke dancer, Black power, Black History, Black History Month