Posted on December 10, 2007 at 10:08 a.m.

There are/were a couple of Black book stores in New Orleans. They each served their individual purpose. However, Community Book Store was the first. Vera Williams started the bookstore from the back of her car. She eventually purchased a building, then moved a couple of times. She had a large building on Bayou Rd. in which she housed the bookstore and was going to put in a coffee shop, a copy center and a computer center. Then Hurricane Katrina came. But, thank God, she is back up and running; not like before, but she is there.

We not only get books from there, but also tee shirts, Kwanazaa products for the holiday, African jewelry, artifacts, etc. It was more than a bookstore; it was a way to connect to our culture, our heritage. Also, Mama Vera could and did order rare books for us. One of the greatest lost that I suffered in the hurricane was the lost of my books and the info contained on my computer hard drive. I had books that were signed by authors, as Vera also hosted authors as Ms. Emma does. We had books signed by Ivan Van Sertima, Randall Robinson, Molefi Asante, Cornell West, etc. Those things cannot be replaced.

I am so sorry to hear that this bookstore is closing. I don't think that people realize the importance of good books and a culture-centered bookstore. I wish her the best in whatever else she attempts to endeavor; but I would hope that she could start a bookstore elsewhere.

I live in West Plano because I needed handicapped accessible housing. But I have been to that area a couple of times. Once I think I saw the bookstore, but didn't stop. But when I went back, I didn't see it. There was a shoe store or something else there, or maybe I missed it. But maybe Ms. Emma can open somewhere where there is a greater need and less competition. I hope she does. In the meantime, I will definitely try to come by and purchase a book. My funds are so limited, post Katrina, but I will definitely try to buy something. History books are my passion. Books, like "We, the Black Jews,' "They Came Before Columbus," and any and all books that give us a sense of who we are and where we came from.

God Bless and hope things work out.

5044life

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