Title: We Are Joseph: What the Striking Similarities between Joseph, son of Jacob and African Americans Reveal about the Divine Mission of African Americans in America
Author: Jean Louis Tailly
Publisher: URLink Print and Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64753-058-7
Pages: 342
Genre: Politics & History/Religion
Reviewed by: Nicole Olson
Hollywood Book Reviews
We Are Joseph: What the Striking Similarities between Joseph, son of Jacob and African Americans Reveal about the Divine Mission of African Americans in America is a written Bible Study of how the Joseph from the Book of Genesis in the Bible can teach many lessons to people of African descent. Author Jean Louis Tailly often spoke about Joseph with others and one day decided to put pen to paper and write out his study instead. He uses quotations from the New International Version of the Bible.
Many people are familiar with Joseph because of the musical “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.” In We Are Joseph, Tailly uses the Word of God to teach others, and to compare the African struggle to Joseph’s hardships. He highlights values that all people should embody, whether they go through hardship or not. While Joseph underwent a great deal of struggle in his life – God rewarded him and made him King of Egypt. He was able to protect his family during times of famine as well.
While he uses scripture to pull out a variety of values that people of African descent should embody, in Chapter 21 he proposes a solution for all those suffering in Africa; chain migration from Africa and acceptance of African refugees by other countries. From this point in the book Tailly argues why chain migration would benefit both refugees as well as the rest of the world’s economy.
I would say this book has a very specific audience though anyone could benefit from reading Tailly’s study of Joseph and how his story applies to the African people. Not only does he do a thorough job of studying the scripture he also explains a great deal of politics and history. As I have grown older and read a variety of personal accounts and history books, I find there is a great deal which was not taught to me in school. Though teachers play an important role in society, it is important to stay curious and vigilant about the information we read and consume. Ultimately, I believe it is the mother and father’s role to teach their children about reliable information and education. We should encourage our children to be wary of everything they hear and teach them how to search for additional sources. Tailly’s book serves as an outside source and personal account that tells readers the truth about the suffering present in Africa.
Tailly offers a Biblical perspective on the current state of affairs not only in Africa but in North America as well. He urges his people to look at Joseph and see the truth. This is a very moving and powerful book with lessons to be learned.