Don’t Hold Me Back: My Life and Art

Sometimes a book is more than a book it is a way for readers to meet an extraordinary person and discover an exceptional life. Winfred Rembert grew up in the 1950s in rural Georgia as the child of sharecroppers. Now, in his own voice and through his powerful paintings, he shares with young people his story and his passionate commitment to self-improvement. Reminiscent of the work of Jacob Lawrence and Horace Pippin, the paintings’ rich, deep colors and poignant details powerfully narrate a story of personal courage and exceptional talent. At the same time, Rembert shows how the civil rights movement was not just a matter of famous speeches and marches, but was a product of the bonds of the black community and the unbreakable spirit of individuals who would not allow any threat, chain, or jail to hold them back. Color photos and illustrations add to this inspiring memoir of a self-taught African American artist in the segregated South.