Podcast
On Being with Krista Tippett
It tells the story of Moore's upbringing as a Black man in America and his journey toward self-discovery and social justice. The book explores themes of family, identity, love, and the complexities of race and masculinity.
I don't want to become a better man because y'all know what I've been told manhood is, it's not anything I'm trying to aspire to. I want to become a better human person.
— Episode: Darnell Moore — Self-Reflection and Soci...
Episode: Darnell Moore — Self-Reflection and Social Evoluti...
It tells the story of Moore's upbringing as a Black man in America and his journey toward self-discovery and social justice. The book explores themes of family, identity, love, and the complexities of race and masculinity.
I don't want to become a better man because y'all know what I've been told manhood is, it's not anything I'm trying to aspire to. I want to become a better human person.
It took years before I realized the image in my mama's picture was beautiful. With skin too brown, big lips and a wide nose, I often turned away from my reflection.
Americans travel so quickly to the edges of our love.
I wanted to feel the sun's warmth on my face and be overcome by the light. But life felt cold and appeared dark. The run was endless. My body and mind were exhausted because I could never grab hold of the light.
What might it mean to be a freer human being?
Episode: [Unedited] Darnell Moore with Krista Tippett
The book explores the author's coming-of-age experience as a Black and free individual in America, focusing on themes of magic, love, and resilience in the face of adversity. It was praised for its honesty and ability to depict complex family dynamics.
I want to say this is a very beautiful book. No Ashes in the Fire, Coming of Age Black and Free in America. Highly recommended.
And as I read your book in particular, there's a word you use a lot, which is a kind of a magnetic and surprising word, which is magic.
You start your book with...
And you you wrote. It took years before I realized the image in my mama's picture was beautiful with skin too brown, big lips and a wide nose. I often turned away from my reflection as I grew up.
A big part of my writing in the book was I really wanted to model and not be even beyond modeling. I just wanted to be honest and say like it's going to be impossible for me to talk about my dad and all the things that he did and all the ways in which he showed up as a monster in my life or the world are homophobes.