Posted by Martin Gonzalez
Book Review: "Makes Me Wanna Holler" by Nathan McCall
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • One of our most visceral and important memoirs on race in America, this is the story of Nathan McCall, who began life as a smart kid in a close, protective family in a black working-class neighborhood.
Yet by the age of fifteen, McCall was packing a gun and embarking on a criminal career that five years later would land him in prison for armed robbery.
In these pages, McCall chronicles his passage from the street to the prison yard—and, later, to the newsrooms of The Washington Post and ultimately to the faculty of Emory University. His story is at once devastating and inspiring, at once an indictment and an elegy. Makes Me Wanna Holler became an instant classic when it was first published in 1994 and it continues to bear witness to the great troubles—and the great hopes—of our nation.
Review
Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking memoir that delves into the intricate complexities of race, identity, and personal transformation in America. McCall's narrative takes readers on a compelling journey, from his early years as a bright young boy in a tight-knit African American neighborhood to the troubling and challenging path that led him into a life of crime.
McCall's unflinching honesty and self-reflection are the cornerstones of this memoir, making it a powerful and impactful read. His account of how he found himself carrying a gun and engaging in criminal activities by the age of fifteen is both shocking and enlightening. Through his words, readers gain insight into the systemic issues and societal pressures that can push a young person down a destructive path.
The book's narrative doesn't stop at McCall's troubled youth. Instead, it traces his transformation and redemption, from serving time in prison for armed robbery to his eventual career as a journalist at The Washington Post and later as a faculty member at Emory University. McCall's journey from a life of crime to a life of accomplishment is a testament to the power of resilience, education, and personal growth.
One of the book's most significant strengths is its ability to shed light on the harsh realities faced by many African Americans in the United States while also offering hope and inspiration. McCall's story is an indictment of the systemic inequalities that persist in our society, but it is also an elegy to the human spirit's capacity for change and renewal.
Makes Me Wanna Holler remains as relevant today as it was when first published in 1994. It serves as a compelling reminder of the challenges faced by marginalized communities in America and the urgent need for systemic change. Nathan McCall's memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of race, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit.