Melanin: What Makes Black People Black

I wouldn't call it a book, maybe an introduction to melanin and why it's so important to understand the nature of this amazing biochemical substance - since it is wholly responsible for nearly everything happening in the black body. We're not just talking about skin color here, this information dives very deep into the eumelanin system and pineal gland of a black person. Llaila is clearly a bit of a nerd who doesn't share much of his personality in this manual about what makes black people black. His pedagogy of blackness may also let off subtle hints of bias toward "non-eumelanin" producing people (aka whites). Inside he delivers a side by side column to compare black to white with regard to melanin production and its effects on both - and oh man does his choice of words come off a bit mean spirited. I can see his decision to deliver the information in this style rubbing some people the wrong way, maybe even warranting some of the bad reviews I found in this thread. But if you can forgive him for that, it's a very good piece of work and should be required reading for all people of color, particularly the first group better known as "black" like myself. You will find some of the most common ailments in the black community (high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, etc) and get a better understanding into how melanin is used to stabilize the individual, or how the lack or inhibition of its natural power can be very detrimental to one's health. Just buy the book. And just for argument's sake - I know black people like the word 'melanin' but melanin is not exclusive to blacks. All people have melanin (except in the rare case of being born albino - which can be from black or white race). In the book you will learn that melanin produces eumelanin (in black people) and pheaomelanin in white people. Here is where we learn about the major differences (5 senses & all body systems - but including spirit and 6th sense) between the two. Black people are affected in far greater ways by not knowing how this kind of melanin works and how to protect it. (side note: in my spirit I feel these differences are known in the scientific community and purposefully disregarded or the findings are used in a myriad of ways to disempower people of black origin.) Drug / chemical addiction can be so hard for blacks because melanin in its protective nature binds to these chemical making it harder to become addiction free than it is for other people. There is so much more to be learned. Now you are going to run into some grammatical errors and few bumps ( I really wish they weren't there) but the information is worth it. In the back of the book are a wealth of resources intended for your further research and learning in the matter. I love this added courtesy! Lastly, a reviewer stated they were tired of the "black & white" thing. This book is not that. Anyone with even a modicum of American history knowledge knows that the medical field has historically favored white men. So, it makes sense that most of the medical technology given to the masses will be with his biology in mind. A lot of the advice is not customized to fit black people who in many ways are different biologically. This is not racism, this is as similar as understanding the differences between men and women (y and x chromes) so we can treat them accordingly. Why wouldn't we want to let black people know that their type of melanin can cause serious harm if they eat meat, white sugar, ingest opioids, consume alcoholic beverages, and whatever else we know? We should be eager to offer up high integrity science that includes and improves the life experiences of all people. This information might also help people from different groups understand the significant emotional and physical differences between our groups. If you don't like this discussion - I say the h*ll with you. Read on black people. It's for your own good and a better, healthier future. As a uniquely different organism on this planet (& in complete biological / spiritual alignment with nature at optimal health) I absolutely recommend this manual to start your biochemical and holistic learning. Love & Light

this book is so great as it will reveal to those of african heritage answers to many questions. i do not believe that dr. afrika wrote this intending to incite racial hatred or biase but to inform and empower our people so i strongly encourage african americans to read and ingest this information allowing it to break unseen chains freeing us to know our potential and walk accordingly becoming very grateful to The Most High for making us in such a fearfully( as to inspire awe) and wonderful way. if we take that approach there is no need to look down upon or hate anyone we will just busy ourselves in picking up the torch laid down by the female moses herself ( harriet tubman) and aid in the deliverance of other brothers and sisters. if you as an african american want to gain any insight into who we are and what we are made of then this is your book! ive gone on to order a few more of dr. afrika's books which i do encourage you to do and though his religiouse beliefs are more african & ancestral in practice and i am a messianic believer i find his books are not colored in his beliefs and the information is sound and true... well,alright beautiful people read the book and become inspired and inspirational!!

Do not be fooled by the number of pages in this work by Dr. Afrika (RIP). Well researched information! Truths are revealed! More conscious raising time on this front. Some of it goes a bit beyond my understanding with the biological and scientific terms, for which I am gladly researching and learning! However, this book is preparing me for my copy of his larger body of work regarding the melanin. Very informative and empowering! My humble perspective, a must read for folk who like myself, or not, arrived on this planet, having the awesomeness of melanin, and has been “put upon negatively” because of it’s color and ignorance, etc...

Great read very informational

This book is deep. Dig up the ground and see what color it is. Now wonder why during slavery our ancestors couldn't read any books and there has been a cover-up and a mass campaign to withhold the truth from us. This book is a good read for anybody of color and people who want to know about their color. Although, everyone has melanin in their body the people who are presented more melanin on their skin has more. For me I'm 31 years old and I work in the medical field and around a lot of Caucasian individuals who seem to know more about my melanin then me, but really did not bother to share their knowledge. This book fills all of the blanks and more. Melanin it's a gift and a blessing, except for the fact we have so many things fighting against it like drugs sugar which if you ever wonder why black people struggle with diabetes more read this book if you ever wonder why black people struggle with high blood pressure and stress read this book it's all in our skin color. Spread the word and become inspired to share the more we know the stronger are melanin gets. One of our greatest strengths as black individuals is the very thing that makes us black.

It's a really easy read and easy to understand. The only problem I have is it seems rushed. As in there are a lot of charts and tables toward the end, but they don't really go into detail on what exactly they mean. Throughout the book everything is broken down for understanding but when it comes to the charts it was like they were afterthoughts which can be frustrating if you're just getting into the topics. Aside from that this is really a great book and I would 100% suggest it for its accuracy in knowledge

I highly recommend this book because it gives you detail understanding of what melanin is and the function of melanin as well as his properties.

Great book for people of color. If you want to to know more about why & what makes us different this is a must read. There are a few printing errors but it’s still gives great information.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. A MUST FOR ALL SELF RESPECTING BLACK PEOPLE WHO WANT AND DESIRE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR NATURAL SELF. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A SCIENCE DEGREE AND WHEN I SHOWED HIM THE BOOK HE WAS LOST FOR WORDS AND HE IS BLACK. JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT WHAT WE LEARN IN SCHOOL IS NOT ALWAYS TO OUR ADVANTAGE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!

Really good book! It's a must have book to really know deeply about melanin on every aspect.

Great and extremely informative. Highly recommended for those who are seeking more knowledge concerning the issue such as this !

This is a very good book filled with knowledge. I'd unhappily recommend this book it's a must read for people of colour. It's insightful and highly informative shares key information about melanin.

Great information, very informative. I like it...I have learned things that I never knew before. It is healing book for self development.